Anthony Head: Buffy and Ted Lasso actor dies at 72

British actor Anthony Head, renowned for his performances in television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso, Merlin, and Little Britain, has passed away at the age of 72. Head gained widespread international recognition for his portrayal of Rupert Giles in the popular late 1990s supernatural teen drama Buffy.

Throughout his career, Head took on a variety of notable roles. He appeared as the prime minister in the sketch series Little Britain, portrayed King Uther Pendragon in the BBC fantasy show Merlin, and played former football club owner Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso. His daughters Emily and Daisy shared that he “passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”

In a heartfelt statement, his daughters expressed their sorrow, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father.” They reflected on the privilege of being his children and witnessing the significant impact he made both personally and professionally. The family also acknowledged how much Head was loved by his friends, colleagues, and fans, emphasizing that he “loved his job very much” and “always considered himself incredibly lucky.”

Beyond these famous roles, Head’s career spanned many other memorable appearances. He played Geoffrey Howe in The Iron Lady, and featured in series including Doctor Who, Persuasion, The Inbetweeners, and Manchild. His early UK fame came during the 1980s through the popular Nescafé Gold Blend coffee adverts, in which he starred alongside Sharon Maughan. Head also enjoyed a lengthy stage career, taking part in productions such as The Rocky Horror Show, Godspell, and Chess. His most recent acting work includes an appearance in Bridgerton in 2022 and joining BBC Radio 4’s The Archers in 2018 as Robin Fairbrother.

Anthony Head experienced personal loss shortly before his own passing, having lost his long-term partner Sarah Fisher, an animal welfare campaigner, in December 2025. His daughters Emily and Daisy, both actors in their own right, carry on his artistic legacy. Emily is perhaps best known for her role as Carli D’Amato in The Inbetweeners, while Daisy has appeared in series like Harlots and Shadow and Bone. Anthony’s brother, Murray Head, is also an actor with credits including the Oscar-nominated film Sunday Bloody Sunday and the musical Chess

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