Anthony Head, who died on June 5 at the age of 72, is being remembered by his Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-stars.
Head first appeared in the show’s pilot as Rupert Giles, the watcher and mentor to title character Buffy. Giles also worked as a librarian at Sunnydale High School and was a main cast member for the first five of the show’s seven seasons, appearing as a recurring character in the final two seasons.
While starring in Buffy, Head appeared on screen alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, James Marsters, Mark Blucas, Emma Caulfield, and Michelle Trachtenberg.
Gellar paid tribute to Head, writing on Instagram: “‘Please tell Giles I get it, it’s okay.’ I don’t understand and I’m not okay. But knowing you, I know I’m one of the lucky ones. Thank you Daisy and Emily for sharing your dad not just with me, but with the world.”
Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins, posted a photo of herself and Head on Instagram, writing: “This was taken on the London Underground in 2011. I visited my friend Tony on the set of The Iron Lady. We had lunch and went to record… We went to the restaurant, had dinner and drinks, and laughed until our sides hurt. It was a perfect day. I had so many moments like this with this wonderful human being that I’ve been lucky enough to call my friend for 27 years. He’s kind and wise, and you’ve been my guide through tough times.”
Boreanaz, who played Buffy’s first love, Angel, on the series, paid tribute to the late actor on social media.
“Rest in peace. He had such a kind and generous heart,” Boreanaz captioned his Instagram Story.
Marsters, who also played Buffy’s love interest and vampire Spike, wrote on Instagram: “There is a hole in the world. Anthony Head has left us. He was an unflinching, kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and loved Ki. He was the best of us. I was lucky to know him and learn from him. He made the world a better place for who he was. Thank you, Tony, for everything you gave me.
Mr Head died of complications from pneumonia, his daughters Daisy Head and Emily Head confirmed in a statement to BBC News.
Head also appeared in Ted Lasso, where he played Rupert Mannion, AFC Richmond’s uptight former owner who hands over ownership of the club to his wife (Hannah Waddingham) during their divorce, and in the Arthurian series Merlin, where he played King Uther Pendragon.
