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Buffy the Vampire Slayer stars are mourning the loss of Anthony Head, whose death was revealed Friday by his two daughters in a statement they gave to the Press Association in the U.K. The actor died from complications of pneumonia. He was 72.
The British actor was best known for his role as Rupert Giles, Buffy Summers’ (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) mentor and surrogate father figure throughout all seven seasons of the series, making his debut in the pilot episode. Head was a main cast member for the first five seasons and later appeared in a recurring guest star capacity. Head has also appeared in Jack Ryan, Bridgerton and Ted Lasso.
Following the news of his death, Gellar took to Instagram to share a tribute. “‘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,” she wrote alongside a carousel of photos. “Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world.”
James Marsters, who played Buffy’s love interest Spike, penned a message writing, “There’s a hole in the world. Anthony Head has passed on from us. He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast. He was the best of us. I was lucky to have known, and learned from him. He left the world a better place for his presence. Thank you Tony for all you gave.”
