British actor Anthony Head has died aged 72 from complications from pneumonia, his daughters told the BBC. The artist was known for his roles in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso and Merlin.
Shortly before Head's death, his wife Sarah Fisher, who was involved in protecting animal rights in the UK, passed away. Head's daughters said in a press statement that they know how much fans of the actor's work will miss him. They emphasized that Head “really loved his job” and always considered himself “incredibly lucky” to work with talented people.
“We were and will always be an honor and privilege to be his daughters and to see first-hand the impact he and his work had on so many people,” the BBC quoted the actor’s family as saying.
Head was born in London on February 20, 1954, the son of documentary filmmaker Seafield Head and actress Helen Shingler. His older brother is actor and singer Murray Head. He studied at the London Academy of Musical and Dramatic Art and played his first roles in the 1978 London production of Godspell, Lady Chatterley's Lover and several episodes of British television series.
In the 1980s, Head gained fame in the UK with Nescafe's Gold Blend coffee adverts, in which he starred alongside Sharon Maughan. Head's breakthrough role in the United States was the character of Rupert Giles in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997 to 2003, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
In the story, his hero was an Observer who helped high school student Buffy Summers, who has superpowers, fight representatives of otherworldly forces. Due to filming in Los Angeles, he had to be away from home for a long time, the publication clarifies.
His work in the 2000s included the sketch show Little Britain, where he played the fictional British Prime Minister, and the TV series Merlin, in which he played the role of Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur. He has appeared frequently on television, including a role in the classic British series Doctor Who, and has also starred in films such as 2011's The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep and 2024's The Promotion, CBS News said.
One of Head's last roles was as Rupert Mannion, the unfaithful ex-husband of the owner of the Richmond Football Club and the main antagonist in the comedy series Ted Lasso, which aired from 2020 to 2023 on Apple TV+.
Anthony Head, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Ted Lasso' actor, dead at 72 https://t.co/thpr9lLGke pic.twitter.com/ERUPLWVDR6
— New York Post (@nypost) June 5, 2026
