Who is Niko Mijailovic? 'Running Point's emotional Netflix tribute explained
'Running Point' may be a comedy series, but many eyes were left teary when the title card of the show's recently released episode 3 appeared on screens. On April 23, Netflix released Season 2. Its third episode featured an end card that read “In Loving Memory of #6 Niko Mijailovic.” Fans were curious about Niko's identity, and internet sleuths soon came into action. Deadline reports that Niko Mijailovic was a 15-year-old Los Angeles boy who was a student and a star varsity volleyball player for the elite private Campbell Hall school. During his memorial, close ones revealed his connection with the show.
As per US Weekly, Niko died of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in April 2025. The freshman season of Kate Hudson-led comedy was the last thing he had watched with his family. Friends of the Mijailovic family are connected with the show and passed this news to the creators. The creators were touched and came up with the plan to honor Niko in the second season, and with the blessing of his family, ran the end card.
Along with the show, the family has also taken up other platforms to honor Niko. Mila Mijailovic, Niko's sister, in an Instagram video for @huddleforhearts, raised awareness about the condition in memory of her brother. “He was there for every single part of my volleyball career, always supporting me.” Mila shared, remembering the deep bond between her and her brother. “As an athlete, he had a lot of drive and a lot of big goals. He also wanted to play Division I volleyball one day, and I always looked forward to seeing him achieve that. He was always a really bright and happy person. He always made people feel comfortable and included. He was my number one supporter.” She shared that the loss left their family shattered.
Niko was extremely healthy and had no signs of any issues. “Losing him has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but what makes it harder is that we didn’t know anything was wrong. There weren’t any signs that something like this was going to happen until the one morning I got the phone call that he just didn’t wake up,” the sister added. Mila does not want anyone to go through what she and her family did. Therefore, she now advocates for SCA awareness and heart screenings to prevent similar disasters in other people's lives. Niko's school also honored him by retiring his #6 jersey. “Niko was a true light within our community. Niko joined Campbell Hall in Kindergarten and grew into a beloved and thriving member of our varsity boys’ volleyball team. Beyond his incredible athletic talent, Niko was known for his quiet confidence, kind heart, and deep love for his friends and family,” Campbell Hall Athletics shared in the caption, where they announced a tribute ceremony for him.
