Anthony Head dies at 72: ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Buffy’ star’s family reveals cause
His daughters, Emily Head and Daisy Head, confirmed his death in a statement to the BBC, saying he “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, from complications due to pneumonia.”
Known for iconic television roles
Head became known for his portrayal of Rupert Giles throughout the show’s seven seasons. Buffy the Vampire SlayerHe starred opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Inside Ted LassoHe played Rupert Mannion, the former owner of AFC Richmond, who hands control of the club to his wife during a divorce. The role saw her share screen space with Hannah Waddingham.
His television career also included roles as the Prime Minister in Little Britain and Uther Pendragon in Merlin.
Career started on stage
Although he became widely known through television, Head began his acting career in theater in the late 1970s, performing in the musical Godspell.
He later appeared in stage productions of Chess, Peter Pan and Rocky Horror Show Live. Head became a familiar face in the UK through a series of Nescafe adverts broadcast between 1987 and 1993, before establishing himself as a television actor.
The family paid their respects
In their statement, Emily and Daisy Head described it as an honor and privilege to be his daughters and to witness the impact he and his work have had on audiences.
He will be greatly missed by his friends, colleagues and fans, they said; They added that he loved his job and always considered himself lucky to have worked with talented people in productions that lasted for decades.
