Anthony Head, known for his role as the beloved Rupert Giles across all seven seasons of the Sarah Michelle Gellar-led classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is dead. He was 72.
In more recent years, Head was a memorable part of the cast of the Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso, playing Rubert Mannion, ex-husband to Hannah Waddingham’s character, Rebecca.
Per a statement shared with BBC News by Head’s daughters, Emily and Daisy, the actor “passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia” while surrounded by loved ones.
As Giles in Joss Whedon’s Buffy, Head became a permanent fixture in the hearts of fans by serving as a mentor (or “watcher”) for the title character, who opens the series reluctant to embrace what fate has handed her: namely, the responsibility of protecting not only everyone she loves, but the world at large. At the fictional Sunnydale High, she and her tight-knit group of friends regularly spend time with (and amass valuable insight from) Giles, who works as a librarian while also guiding Buffy’s crew through the increasingly dire experience of living atop a Hellmouth.
Head, also known for his musical prowess, led the cast of the musical Repo! The Genetic Opera in 2008. His vocal stylings were also on full display in “Once More, With Feeling,” a one-off musical episode of Buffy. “Walk Through the Fire,” a Giles-featuring highlight from the episode’s soundtrack, still hits hard to this day.
Other projects of note for Head included Merlin, Little Britain, Doctor Who, and Cabin Pressure.
RIP.
Head’s death comes mere months after that of fellow Buffy alum Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris on the series. Brendon, according to family, died in his sleep of natural causes at the age of 54 back in March.
