Anthony Head, the suave and smooth-voiced British actor celebrated for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has passed away at the age of 72. His family confirmed the news on Friday.
Cause of Death
Head's daughters, actors Emily and Daisy Head, told the Press Association news agency that their father died due to complications from pneumonia. In a heartfelt statement, they said: '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. How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us.'
Career Highlights
Head achieved widespread fame in the United States for his portrayal of librarian Rupert Giles, the mentor to the title character in the cult-favorite supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which originally aired from 1997 to 2003. More recently, he played Rupert Mannion, the villainous ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham's character Rebecca, in the hit series Ted Lasso.
Tributes from Co-Stars
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred alongside Head in Buffy, paid tribute on social media with a poignant message: '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. Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world.'
Fellow Buffy co-star James Marsters also shared a moving post: 'There’s a hole in the world. Anthony Head has passed on from us. He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast. He was the best of us. I was lucky to have known, and learned from him. He left the world a better place for his presence. Thank you Tony for all you gave.'
Writer Harlan Coben, who worked with Head on the series The Stranger, remembered him fondly: 'Anthony Head died today. You’ll be reading a lot of wonderful things about him in the coming days. Believe them. He was charming and erudite and funny and open and friendly and so damn talented. He brought joy and warmth and sparkle and wonder to every room he entered. Everyone in the cast and crew of The Stranger adored Tony. It was an honor to call you a friend. We are all heartbroken.'
Head's legacy as a versatile and beloved actor will undoubtedly endure through the memorable characters he brought to life on screen.
