CNN reported Friday that British actor Anthony Head had passed at the age of 72. Known for his series-long role on 90s horror drama, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Head’s death was reported by his daughters. Head passed after a brief stint with pneumonia.
Prior to his career-defining role, Head was known to U.K. viewers in the 1980s in a string of Nesacafe instant coffee commercials. He would later shift to the States where he played Rupert Giles, Buffy Summers’s high school librarian and devout Watcher, alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Ringer, I Know What You Did Last Summer) in the TV adaptation of the cult film. He played Giles from 1997 to 2003.
Giles became known to a whole new generation of TV fans with his role as Ted Lasso antagonist, Rupert Mannion, on the Apple TV football series.
News of Head’s passing sparked tributes across the internet. Gellar posted a heartfelt message on her Instagram with photos with her longtime costar. In the post she wrote, “‘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.”
Rewatching School Reunion as a wee tribute to the wonderful Anthony Head. Series 2 was just PEAK Doctor Who. It really was one of the best ever seasons of the show. And K-9! #doctorwho pic.twitter.com/TE6MLm7gtt
— Fraser (@ecossefilmmaker) June 7, 2026
Sad to hear Anthony Head has passed away.
The Gold Blend “will they, won’t they” ad campaign was a cultural phenomenon, an ongoing saga that lasted for 6 years, captivating audiences of 30 million. The inevitable kiss even made front page news. A landmark TV moment.
RIP Anthony pic.twitter.com/dmQJhkPehJ— The Sting (@TheStingisBack) June 5, 2026
Rest in peace, Anthony Stewart Head 🕊. Here’s a clip of him as Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer performing a cover of Behind Blue Eyes by The Who. A beautiful performance that fans will never forget. 💙 pic.twitter.com/OIJwEWeYEh
— Branden (@A3Branden) June 5, 2026
Head’s passing comes months after fellow Buffy co-star Nicholas Brendon (Criminal Minds) died in March. And year after actress and costar Michelle Trachtenberg‘s (Gossip Girl, Harriet the Spy) unexpected passing.