British actor Anthony Head, best known for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso, and Merlin, has died at the age of 72. His death comes just six months after his long-term partner, Sarah Fisher, died at 61.
Career Highlights
Head rose to fame in the Nescafe Gold Blend TV adverts before landing the role of Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997 to 2003. He left as a main character in season six but returned as a guest star. Other notable roles include King Uther Pendragon in BBC’s Merlin, a role on Little Britain, and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso. He also appeared in The Iron Lady, Persuasion, The Inbetweeners, and Motherland.
Cause of Death and Tribute
His daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, announced his death, stating the cause as complications due to pneumonia. They said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head. He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family. It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters. Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind, but we know his legacy will live on.”
Six months earlier, they had paid tribute to their mother, Sarah Fisher, describing her as an “extraordinary, kind and talented mother.” Fisher was a dedicated animal rights activist who ran Tilley Farm, a sanctuary for rescued horses, ponies, and donkeys, and was patron of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary.
Head’s brother Murray is also an actor, and their father was film producer Seafield Laurence Stewart Murray Head. His mother, actress Helen Shingler, died in 2019.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
