Anthony Head, the British actor who found international fame as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and more recently as the pragmatic football club owner in Ted Lasso, has died. He was 72.
His family confirmed the news in a statement released this morning, requesting privacy at this time. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Head’s career spanned five decades and encompassed stage, television and film. He was born in Camden, London, and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His early work included roles in British television dramas such as "The Comic Strip Presents" and sitcoms including "Who Dares Wins." But it was his casting in 1997 as the tweed-clad, bookish librarian Giles in Joss Whedon’s cult supernatural series Buffy that made him a household name. Giles, a member of the Watchers Council who guided the teenage vampire slayer, was a foundational role for Head, who played the character for seven seasons. The show earned a dedicated global following and critical acclaim for its subversive take on horror and adolescence.
In 2020, Head introduced a new generation of viewers when he joined the Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso as Rupert Mannion, the ex-husband of Rebecca Welton and the cynical owner of a rival football club. The role showcased his versatility, moving from scholarly wisdom to patrician charm. The series, which became a cultural phenomenon, earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2021.
Tributes from colleagues and admirers began to appear shortly after the news broke. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy Summers, wrote: "He was my mentor on screen and off. A gentle soul with a razor-sharp wit. I will miss him terribly." Fellow cast members from both series, including Alyson Hannigan and Nick Mohammed, expressed their shock and admiration for his professionalism and warmth.
Head’s later work included roles in Doctor Who, the BBC’s Merlin, and the stage production of "The Boy Friend." He also appeared in 2019’s Downton Abbey film. In 2022, he published a memoir, "The Watcher’s Tale," reflecting on his life in acting.
Anthony Head leaves behind his partner, Sarah Fisher, and their two children, Emily and Daisy. His death marks the loss of a performer whose work bridged generations of television storytelling.
