Anthony Head Dies at 72, Complications From Pneumonia, Daughters Say

British actor Anthony Head, known for playing Rupert Giles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Rupert Mannion on “Ted Lasso,” has died at 72.

“- Published British actor Anthony Head, best known for his roles in TV shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso, Merlin and Little Britain, has died at the age of 72”

BBC

His daughters Emily and Daisy Head said in a statement that he “passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”

BBC

NBC News reported that U.S. viewers best knew him as the father-like mentor Rupert Giles of the supernatural action dramedy “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan.

The BBC also said Head’s death came as the cast and fans reflected on his roles in the late 1990s series that ran from 1997 to 2003, and on his later turn as the ex-husband of Rebecca Welton in “Ted Lasso.”

Gellar mourned Head’s death with an Instagram post that included the line from the show: “‘Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m ok’ Well I don’t have it figured out and I’m not ok. But I know I’m the lucky one because I knew you.”

David Boreanaz, who went on to star in the spinoff “Angel,” said in a statement to NBC News, “Anthony was a pillar in the Buffy universe and his kindness and sense of humor brought great energy to the set,”.

BFM

Brett Goldstein, a “Ted Lasso” writer and castmate who plays Roy Kent, wrote on Instagram that “Anthony Head was a brilliant actor who played the worst person in the world which was an incredible skill because he was the best person,”.

In the U.K., Matt Lucas said in a statement posted on X that “When we were casting Little Britain, we were looking for a ‘Tony Head-type’, because we never imagined for a moment that the man himself would be interested, but he was.”

Head’s family said his death followed the passing of his longtime partner Sarah Fisher, whose death was described as sudden and who died at 61.

“British actor Anthony Head, known worldwide for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has died on Friday at the age of 72, his daughters announced in a statement”

Cadena SER

People reported that Fisher’s daughters wrote on Facebook that her passing was “immensely shocking to us all, and came with very little warning.”

Page Six said Fisher lived with Head in Bath, England, where she ran Tilley Farm, described as “a sanctuary for rescued horses, ponies and donkeys.”

Across coverage, Head’s daughters emphasized that “Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind, but we know his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences that love them,” as they asked for privacy at “this difficult time.”