LONDON — British actor Anthony Stewart Head, best known for his roles as Rupert Giles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Rupert Mannion in “Ted Lasso,” has died at the age of 72.
Head died on or around June 4, 2026, in Bath, Somerset, England, from complications of pneumonia, his daughters said.
His daughters, actresses Emily Head and Daisy Head, confirmed the news in a statement. “He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family,” they said, according to reports citing the Press Association.
Born on Feb. 20, 1954, in Camden Town, London, Head began his career in musical theatre and gained early fame in the UK through Nescafé coffee advertisements. He rose to international prominence playing the scholarly Watcher Rupert Giles on the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” from 1997 to 2003.
He later appeared in a variety of television and film roles, including as King Uther Pendragon in the BBC series “Merlin” and as Rupert Mannion in the Apple TV+ comedy “Ted Lasso.” Other credits included “Little Britain,” “The Inbetweeners,” and various stage productions.
Head’s longtime partner, animal welfare advocate Sarah Fisher, died in December 2025 at the age of 61. The couple had two daughters together.
Tributes poured in from fans and colleagues following the announcement on June 5, 2026, highlighting his contributions to television and his kind demeanor on set. Details about any memorial plans were not immediately available.
Head is survived by his daughters Emily and Daisy.
