Anthony Head, the British actor best known for roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso has died at the age of 72.
Head’s daughters Emily and Daisy told BBC News that he “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,” they said. “It has been, and forever will be, an honour 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 London in 1954, Head built a career that extended across several decades and earned him recognition on both sides of the Atlantic. He became widely known to international audiences for his portrayal of Rupert Giles, the librarian and mentor in the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” a role he played from 1997 to 2003. The performance introduced Head to a generation of viewers and remains among his most recognizable credits.
Before achieving international fame, Head established himself through stage productions and television appearances in the United Kingdom. During the 1980s and 1990s, he appeared in numerous British television programs and became familiar to audiences through a series of television commercials that increased his public profile.
Following his work on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Head continued to maintain a steady acting career. His television credits included roles in “Merlin,” “Little Britain,” “Doctor Who,” “Ted Lasso,” and a variety of other productions. His film roles include “Repo! The Genetic Opera,” “The Iron Lady,” and “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.”
Anthony Head is survived by daughters Emily and Daisy, both actors. His long-term partner Sarah Fisher died last year.