Anthony Head, the British actor best known for playing librarian Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and most recently appearing in Ted Lasso, has died at the age of 72. His daughters Emily and Daisy Head announced that he passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.
Head's career spanned more than four decades, from stage to screen. He first became a household name in the UK in the 1980s through a series of Nescafé adverts, where his velvet-voiced delivery became iconic. He also starred in the hit BBC shows Merlin and Little Britain. But it was his role as Giles, the tweed-clad Watcher to Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy, that brought him international fame in the 1990s. In recent years, he played a supporting role in the Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso.
“British actor Anthony Head, star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has died aged 72 from pneumonia complications.”
Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from co-stars and fans. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy, lead a tribute on social media saying: "I'm not OK." The actor's versatility was widely praised, from his West End theatre work to his ability to bring gravitas to both drama and comedy.
Head's death comes just six months after his wife, Sarah, passed away, according to reports. The couple had been married for decades and had two daughters, both actresses themselves. The family asked for privacy as they grieve.
Born in London, Head was a fixture of British popular culture for years, with his roles in Little Britain alongside Matt Lucas, and playing a mentor figure in Merlin. His regional appeal stretched across the UK, with tributes appearing in Scottish, Welsh, and English media.
No further details about funeral arrangements have been released, but his legacy will endure through his extensive catalog of work on streamers like Netflix and Apple TV+.