Liam McIntyre

Actor

Birth Date: February 8, 1982

Age: 41 years old

Birth Place: Adelaide, Australia

It was a common Hollywood practice for new actors to take over a hit franchise to revive a brand, yet in Liam McIntyre's case, his breakthrough role came on the heels of a tragic loss. The Australian actor was still in the early stages of his acting career when he received a call to audition for the physically demanding lead role on "Spartacus" (Starz, 2010-13). Just two years before McIntyre made his debut on the critically acclaimed show, Andy Whitfield had played the iconic gladiator who leads a revolt against the Roman republic on the first season, titled "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." Whitfield's untimely death from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in September 2011 saddened the entertainment industry and the show's fans, but the series' production ultimately moved forward to pay respect to the foundation he had laid. McIntyre was announced as Whitfield's replacement soon after and committed to the role, not only physically, but also on a mental and emotional level, mindful of continuing Whitfield's legacy while also making his own mark in the entertainment industry.