Sarah Michelle Gellar has led heartfelt tributes to her former Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Anthony Head, who passed away at the age of 72 due to complications from pneumonia. The actor, widely known for his role as the librarian and 'watcher' Rupert Giles in the iconic series, died surrounded by his family.
Gellar's Emotional Tribute
Gellar, who played Buffy Summers in the beloved fantasy programme, took to social media to honor her friend. Alongside a photograph of herself with Head, his daughters, and fellow actor Seth Green, she wrote: "'Tell Giles I figured it out and I'm ok' - well I don't have it figured out and I'm not ok. But I know I'm the lucky one because I knew you. Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world."
Co-Stars Remember Head
David Boreanaz, who portrayed Angel in the series, shared a throwback picture and wrote: "This is how I met Anthony, in laughter and smile always. And this is how I will remember him always. All kindness and a soul that was inspiring to me. Thank you brother. RIP."
James Marsters, who took on the role of vampire Spike, said: "There's a hole in the world. Anthony Head has passed on from us. He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast. He was the best of us. I was lucky to have known, and learned from him. He left the world a better place for his presence. Thank you Tony for all you gave."
Actress Emma Caulfield, who played Anya, shared a picture taken with Head on the London Underground in 2011 and told fans they had enjoyed a "perfect day" and "laughed until our sides hurt." She added: "There were many of these moments with this amazing human who I was lucky enough to call my friend for 27 years. He was kind and wise and a guide in troubled times. You were so loved. Impossible to caption. You are so missed. Rest in peace with your beautiful Sarah-Emma."
Fourth Buffy Cast Member to Die Since Last Year
Head is the fourth Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast member to have died since last year. Fans mourned the loss of Michelle Trachtenberg and Harris Yulin in 2025, while Nicholas Brendon died in March this year. Head's death also comes months after the passing of his wife, Sarah Fisher, a 61-year-old animal rights activist who died in December last year "with very little warning."
Family Statement
Head's daughters announced the sad news in a statement to the Press Association. They said: "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head. He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family. It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many.
"We know how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues, and fans of the shows he was in – he loved his job very much, and he always considered himself incredibly lucky, to have been able to work alongside such exceptionally talented people, in such wonderful productions, across a career that spanned several decades. Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind, but we know his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences that love them. How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us. We kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this difficult time."
Other Notable Roles
In addition to his iconic role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anthony Head was also known for his performances in Apple TV's popular sports comedy Ted Lasso, the BBC series Motherland, and Netflix's period drama Bridgerton.
