Spartacus actor Ioane 'John' King dies at 49 after battling with cancer. Tributes pour in

Spartacus actor Ioane ‘John‘ King has died after battling with cancer. The 49-year-old actor was famous for his role as gladiator Rhaskos in Spartacus. He was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in January 2022.

Ioane 'John' King's family had set up a fundraising page for the actor and announced his passing away on the page. The actor lost his life on August 15 this year.

The family wrote on the fundraising page that there is an update about Ioane 'John' King. They mentioned that Ioane 'John' King's fight with cancer ended as he passed away with his family and friends by his side.




They said he leaves a big hole in their lives and the world. He was a wonderful human being, friend, brother, son, father, and husband. It also said they would carry on his love, hard work, positive influence, and kindness legacy.

The page urged fans to continue supporting Ioane 'John' King's family through this challenging period.



Manu Bennett, Ioane 'John' King's co-star from Spartacus (Crixius in the show), paid his tribute. Bennett revealed that Ioane 'John' King was hired as an extra first and won the role of Rhaskos through his positive attitude and powerful presence amongst the crew and cast.

Bennett remembers Ioane 'John' King as one of the people who kept the team together. He remembered him for "his huge grin and sparkle in his eye."

Ioane 'John' King's family set up the fundraising page in March 2022. The page was set up to help Ioane and his wife (Christelle) collect funds to complete work on their home. They had just purchased the home a few weeks before Ioane's diagnosis.

A statement said that the couple put in their life's savings to build a new home and would have continued to work on it in the future. However, cancer struck down the happiness and pride in the project.

In just six weeks of moving into the new home, John was diagnosed with cancer, and the family was devastated. Their priorities had to be reassessed.

Ioane 'John' King also worked as a personal trainer and a corrections office. The hit show Spartacus aired from 2010 to 2013.