Full story
Anthony Head dies at 72
British actor Anthony Head, known for playing Rupert Giles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Rupert Mannion on “Ted Lasso,” has died at 72.
“On Friday, news broke of the passing of actor Anthony Head at 72, best known for his portrayal of Watcher/father figure Rupert Giles on the supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
Head’s daughters, Emily and Daisy, said in a statement obtained by the BBC on Friday that it was “with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father,” and that he “passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”
The BBC said Head found international fame as Rupert Giles in the late 1990s, and it also noted his other TV roles including Merlin and Little Britain.
The Hill reported that from 2020 to 2023 Head played the former football club owner Rupert Mannion in the Apple TV+ hit “Ted Lasso,” where his character is the ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s character, Rebecca Welton.
Co-stars lead tributes
Following the news of his death, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-stars posted tributes that highlighted Head’s presence on set and his character work across the show’s run.
Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote, “‘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,” thanking Daisy and Emily for sharing their dad with the world.
David Boreanaz, who played Angel, posted on Instagram Stories, “RIP. He was so kind and generous of a soul,” while James Marsters said, “There’s a hole in the World. Anthony Head has passed on from us.”
The Hollywood Reporter said Head died from complications of pneumonia and was 72, and it described him as best known for his role as Rupert Giles, Buffy Summers’ mentor and surrogate father figure throughout all seven seasons.
Legacy across TV and beyond
BBC coverage placed Head’s death alongside tributes that extended beyond “Buffy,” including his work in “Ted Lasso,” “Merlin,” and “Little Britain,” and his later appearances such as Bridgerton in 2022.
“Tributes to Buffy and Ted Lasso star Anthony Head after death aged 72 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”
The BBC quoted Matt Lucas, who described Head as “unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm,” and Lucas said that when casting “Little Britain” they were “looking for a 'Tony Head-type ',” because they “never imagined for a moment that the man himself would be interested.”
The BBC also reported that the official Doctor Who account on X said it was “very sad to report the passing of Anthony Head,” adding that he appeared as Mr Finch in “School Reunion” in 2006.
Ars Technica framed Head’s “Giles” work as central to his legacy, noting that he played Uther Pendragon in Merlin, the Prime Minister in Little Britain, and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso, while also describing Giles as his “definitive role.”
