Anthony Head’s Buffy and Ted Lasso co-stars pay tribute as “kind and wise” actor dies, aged 72

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I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Anthony Head, who was a truly versatile actor I always enjoyed watching. Best known for roles like Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his appearances in Ted Lasso, he was a familiar and beloved face on screen. It’s lovely to see so many of his colleagues sharing their memories and paying tribute to him.

Anthony Head passed away on Friday, June 5th, his daughters Emily and Daisy announced in a statement, saying they were heartbroken by the loss of their wonderful father.

He died peacefully at home, with his family by his side, after a battle with pneumonia. His daughters feel incredibly honored and privileged to have known him and to have seen the positive difference he and his life’s work made in the lives of others.

Besides being known for his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, Head appeared in many popular TV shows like Doctor Who, Little Britain, Merlin, The Split, The Stranger, and Motherland. He also acted in films including The Inbetweeners Movie and The Iron Lady.

Anthony Head, who played Rupert Giles throughout all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, recently passed away. His co-star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, quoting a line from the show and expressing her grief. She wrote, ‘Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m ok.’ But admitted she wasn’t okay, adding that she felt lucky to have known him. She also thanked his daughters, Daisy and Emily, for sharing their father with both her and the world.

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David Boreanaz shared a joyful photo of himself with Anthony Head on Instagram, remembering him as a kind and inspiring soul. He wrote that their connection began with laughter and smiles, and that’s how he’ll always cherish their time together, adding a heartfelt ‘Thank you, brother. Rest in peace.’

James Marsters shared the sad news of Anthony Head’s passing, describing him as a consistently kind and reliable person on the set of Buffy. Marsters considered Head the most talented actor in the cast and felt fortunate to have known and learned from him. He believes Head made the world a better place and expressed his gratitude for everything Head contributed.

I’ll never forget how truly kind Tony was – not just to people, but to all creatures, big and small. I remember one time my trailer was completely overrun with ants at work, and my first instinct was to ask the teamsters for bug spray. It just showed how much he cared about everything living around him, and it was such a sweet quality.

Tony thought the best approach was simply to ask the ants to move. He genuinely had respect for all living creatures, and I can’t imagine a more kind and decent person.

Emma Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins, shared a heartfelt tribute, saying he was a kind, wise, and guiding presence, especially during difficult times. She expressed how deeply he was loved and missed, ending with a peaceful farewell to him and his daughter, Sarah-Emma.

Ted Lasso’s fellow actors have also shared their condolences following the passing of the actor who played Rebecca’s ex-husband, Rupert Mannion, throughout the first three seasons of the show.

Brett Goldstein, who stars as Roy Kent and writes for the show, shared a heartfelt tribute to Anthony Head on Instagram. He described Head as a remarkably talented actor who could brilliantly portray both terrible and wonderful characters, noting his genuine kindness, charm, and joyful spirit. Goldstein said Head will be deeply missed and sent his love to Head’s family.

Jeremy Swift, who plays Leslie Higgins, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “Farewell Tony, we loved you. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Matt Lucas, who worked with Tony Head on Little Britain, shared a touching message on X. He said he was deeply saddened to hear of Head’s passing. Lucas recalled that when they were casting the show, they were searching for someone like Tony Head, never thinking he’d actually want to be involved – but he did, which Lucas called a stroke of luck.

“He was unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm. My heart goes out to Daisy and Emily.”

The official Doctor Who social media account announced with sadness that Anthony Head has passed away. He was best known to fans as Mr. Finch in the 2006 episode ‘School Reunion,’ and also contributed to the show through his appearances in #DoctorWho Confidential and by voicing the character Baltazar in ‘The Infinite Quest’.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at the TV production company Fremantle. He has a BA in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a journalism diploma.

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2026-06-06 12:35