Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso star Anthony Head has died at the age of 72.
Head was beloved by Buffy's legion of fans for his role as Rupert Giles, the mentor and father figure of series lead Sarah Michelle Gellar. More recent years saw the actor appear in hit Apple TV show Ted Lasso, fantasy drama Merlin and comedy series Little Britain.
Head's death was confirmed today in a statement from his daughters, first reported by BBC News, which stated he had "passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family."
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father," the statement read. "It has been, and forever will be, an honor and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many."
Born in 1954 in London, Head began his career on stage, before becoming a stalwart of British film and television. He made dozens of guest appearances in series such as Jonathan Creek, Doctor Who and Spooks, as well as regular roles in Merlin and Little Britain.
Head was also known as a singer, as seen in his West End appearances within The Rocky Horror Show, and in 21st century rock opera film Repo! The Genetic Opera.
Between 2020 and 2023, Head portrayed former AFC Richmond owner Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso, but it will likely be for his long tenure in Buffy for which he remains best known. As Giles, Head appeared in 121 episodes of the cult classic series, and was once set for his own BBC spinoff series, before plans fell through. In the years since, Head has continued to meet fans at conventions, and reprised his role as Giles in 2023 Audible series Slayers: A Buffyverse Story.
Head's passing follows the death of fellow Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon, who passed away earlier this year aged 54.
Image credit: Fred Duval/FilmMagic
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
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