Spartacus star Ioane 'John' King dies of cancer at 49

Ioane King played the gladiator Rhaskos in Spartacus. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand actor Ioane "John" King, who started as an extra on the TV series Spartacus before being elevated to a recurring role, has died at 49 after a battle with cancer.

The actor played the gladiator Rhaskos in the series, which was filmed in New Zealand and co-starred Lucy Lawless, and ran from 2010 to 2013.

He died on August 15 after adenocarcinoma cancer spread to his pancreas, his family announced on a Facebook page dedicated to him.

I can’t help envisaging Ioane emerging from a cloud to find Andy Whitfield waiting to greet him. Homecoming. #spartacus #rhaskos https://t.co/EmHymfxKNl

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) August 21, 2022

Lawless and fellow Spartacus star kiwi actor Manu Bennett paid tribute to King on social media.

"John had a long battle with cancer but faced that fight with dignity & a constant resolve not to be defeated," Bennett wrote on Instagram.

"On Spartacus John was hired as an extra but with a powerful presence & ever positive attitude amongst the cast & crew, won himself the speaking role of Rhaskos.

"I remember John most fondly for his huge grin & sparkle in his eye when he would welcome me & others onto set each day offering the Gladiatorial forearm handshake & acknowledging in his deep raspy voice, 'brother!'"

King also worked as a personal trainer and corrections officer.

A funeral was held on Friday in Auckland.

Spartacus star Andy Whitfield also died young after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010. He died in 2011 at age 39.

- RNZ