British actor Anthony Head, widely known for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso, Merlin and Little Britain, has died at the age of 72.
According to BBC reports on Friday, his family confirmed that he passed away following complications from pneumonia, surrounded by close relatives.
Head gained international recognition for his portrayal of Rupert Giles in the popular supernatural teen drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the late 1990s, a role that made him a household name.
He went on to feature in several acclaimed productions, including the comedy series Little Britain, where he made recurring appearances, and the BBC fantasy drama Merlin, in which he played King Uther Pendragon.
More recently, he appeared in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso as Rupert Mannion, the former owner of AFC Richmond.
In a statement, his daughters Emily and Daisy described him as an “extraordinary father” and said he died peacefully.
They said it had been an honour to be his daughters, adding that they were proud of the impact he made both personally and professionally.
The family noted that Head deeply loved his craft and always considered himself fortunate to have worked in the entertainment industry.
His long career also included appearances in films and television series such as The Iron Lady, Doctor Who, The Inbetweeners, Persuasion, and Manchild.
