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One of the most loveable characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was Nicholas Brendon’s, Xander Harris. What would Buffy do without him? He’s the comic relief for the Scooby Gang. Brendon did a great job playing the character, and there was no doubt he’d have a great career following Buffy. However, Brendon has become one of those celebrities who’s disappeared after having success early on.

While most of the cast of Buffy has gone on to have impressive careers, Brendon has lagged behind and has had a couple of run-ins with the law. But what has Brendon appeared in lately?

'Buffy' cast members at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
Nicholas Brendon and the cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ | Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Nicholas Brendon has had multiple run-ins with the law

Brendon started having public troubles as far back as 2004 after he checked himself into rehab for alcohol problems. “After realizing that I had a disease that was taking control of my life, I decided that the best way for me to regain my health was to enter a treatment facility,” Bendon said at the time, per People.

In 2010, he was tasered by police, charged with vandalism, resisting arrest, and battery against a police officer. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to probation and community service. He also returned to rehab. In 2014, he was arrested in Boise, Idaho, and charged with two misdemeanor counts, malicious injury to property, and restraining or obstructing officers.

In 2015, Brendon was arrested four times. Twice for “drunkenly trashing” two different hotel rooms in Florida. Then the Myrtle Beach Police Department arrested him for public intoxication and impairment. In June of that year, he entered rehab but was arrested again in October for grabbing his girlfriend by the throat. He was charged with two misdemeanors and robbery because he stole her cellphone. That month, he checked into a Florida treatment center.

In Dec. 2017, Brendon told Dr. Phil that he’d “had failed attempts at suicide” and had been in a bad place for three years. Brendon checked into a dual diagnosis treatment center, HeadWaters at Origins, at the end of the interview.

Nicholas Brendan was just arrested

Brendon was arrested in Indiana in August 2021 for allegedly using false information to obtain prescription drugs, People reported. He’s charged with felony prescription fraud and “with a misdemeanor for allegedly failing to properly identify himself when stopped by police.” He was arrested after failing to signal and swerving on the road.

When police asked for identification, Brendon handed them a California ID with the name Kelton Schultz and said it was his brothers. Brendon does have a twin, but his name is Kelly Donovan. It’s unknown whether Brendon has entered into a plea yet. Upon their search of his vehicle, police found “a pill bottle with a medication prescribed to ‘Nicholas Bender'” and a prescription for amphetamine salts that was prescribed to Kelton Schultz.

According to the police officer’s affidavit, Brendon admitted to taking medication that was not prescribed to him. He’s already serving a three-year probation sentence after pleading guilty in 2020 for allegedly attacking his girlfriend.

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Is Nicholas Brendon still acting?

Brendon has continued to work throughout most of his run-ins with the law. His biggest success since leaving Buffy has been Criminal Minds, however. Brendon starred on the show from 2007 to 2014. He had a two-year break from 2015 to 2017 for obvious reasons.

Since then, he’s appeared in the films The Nanny, King of Crime, and Judgment. He also appeared on two episodes of Dark/Web. In Sept. 2021, he’ll star in Wanton Want. Brendon also has a couple of roles lined up in Christmas Slasher, On a Dark and Bloody Ground, Dark Christmas, Best Sheep, and The Inspector Chronicles. So even if he’s having trouble outside of work, it looks like Brendon can still get roles and is willing to work. All fans can do right now is wish Brendon a speedy recovery.

How to get help: In the U.S., contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.

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