Jill Lawless and Brian Melley
London: Anthony Head, a British actor with a soft voice known for his roles Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lassohas died, his family said. He was 72 years old.
Head’s daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, told the Press Association that the actor died of complications from pneumonia.
The stage and TV actor became well known to British audiences in the 1980s as one half of the will-they-won’t-they couple in a series of commercials for Nescafe Gold Blend instant coffee. The commercials were rerun for the American audience of Taster’s Choice.
Head rose to fame as librarian Rupert Giles, the protagonist’s mentor in the cult-favorite supernatural series. Buffy the Vampire Slayerwhich started from 1997 to 2003.
He recently played Rupert Mannion, the evil ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s character Rebecca, in Ted Lasso.
“Our grief is greater than the hole he left behind, but we know his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences who love them,” his daughters said. “How lucky we are to know that we can watch him do what he loved, even when he is no longer with us.”
Head was born in London on February 20, 1954 to Seafield Head, a documentary filmmaker, and Helen Shingler, an actress. His older brother, Murray, is also an actor.
Other notable roles include playing Geoffrey Howe, deputy to prime minister Margaret Thatcher, played by Meryl Streep, in the Oscar-winning film. The Iron Lady.
Head portrayed the prime minister himself in a sketch comedy show Little Englandwith King Uther Pendragon, father of Prince Arthur, in Merlin TV series. He was also seen inside Mother country, A man and Silent Witnessas well as acting in many plays, musicals, and recording music as a singer.
He was predeceased by his long-term partner, animal welfare activist Sarah Fisher, 61, in 2025.
AP
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-watch list. Get the Watchlist released every Thursday.
