Anthony Head, the British actor best known for playing Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 72.
His daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, said he died “peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family”. Head also appeared in Ted Lasso, Merlin and Little Britain. His death comes months after the death of his wife, Sarah Fisher, in December 2025.
“Actor Anthony Head, known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, dies aged 72 from pneumonia.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred alongside Head in Buffy, led tributes on Instagram, writing: “Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world.” David Boreanaz said: “He was so kind and generous of a soul.” James Marsters called him “the best actor in the cast”. Little Britain creator Matt Lucas said Head was “unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm”. Brett Goldstein, his Ted Lasso co-star, said: “Anthony Head was a bri…”
Head gained early fame in the 1980s through Nescafé Gold Blend adverts. His breakthrough came in 1997 as Giles in Buffy. He later played the prime minister in Little Britain, Uther Pendragon in Merlin, and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso. He also appeared in The Iron Lady as Geoffrey Howe.