Buffy The Vampire Slayer actor, Robin Sachs, has passed away suddenly, age 61.

The age at which dying seems not merely 'sad', but 'tragic' seems to be growing year on year. It wasn't long ago that reaching the ripe old age of 70 was a decent enough achievement, but now, our 60 year olds look and feel 45 and plenty of people work right into their 70s. So, for Robin Sachs, the actor who played the lead's nemesis in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to die aged just 61 comes as something of  a shock.

A message, written by his staff, was left on his website giving the news of his death. "This is a post we never thought we would have to write. It is with great sadness that we have to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Robin Sachs," it read. "Please join us in raising a glass to Robin - goodbye, dear friend. Thank you for all the laughter and the cookies. We will miss you so very much."

Best known for his role as the evil costume shop owner, Ethan Rayne, described by SkyNews as a man "who... worshipped chaos, making deals with demons, vampires and humans alike," he also had appearances in Ocean's Eleven and The Lost World: Jurassic Park.