Beloved British actor Anthony Head, best known for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has died at the age of 72 from complications related to pneumonia, his family announced.
Family Statement
His daughters Emily and Daisy Head, who are also actresses, released a statement to the BBC: "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, and to have witnessed first-hand the impact both he and his work have had on so many."
The family expressed that their grief is greater than the void left behind but took comfort in knowing his legacy would live on through the shows he helped create and the audiences who continue to love them. "How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us," they added.
Iconic Roles
Head was best known as librarian Rupert Giles in the cult US supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, which ran from 1997 to 2003. He also played Rupert Mannion, the villainous, rich former owner of AFC Richmond in Ted Lasso. Throughout his career, he appeared in The Iron Lady, Persuasion, The Inbetweeners, and Motherland.
Tributes from Co-Stars
Buffy lead Sarah Michelle Gellar was among the first to pay tribute, posting a quote from the show: "Tell Giles I figured it out and I'm ok." She wrote, "I know I’m the lucky one because I knew you. Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world."
Ted Lasso actor Brett Goldstein also honoured his "infinitely charming" co-star, saying: "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."
Personal Life
Head's longtime partner, presenter, author and animal rights activist Sarah Fisher died a few months prior in 2025 at 61 after a short illness.
Anthony Head died peacefully surrounded by family. He is survived by his daughters Emily and Daisy Head.
