Rupert Giles actor Anthony Head, known to U.S. audiences for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has died at 72 after complications from pneumonia.

His daughters, Emily Head and Daisy Head, confirmed the news in a family statement released on Friday, June 5, 2026. They said Head died peacefully while surrounded by his family.

Rupert Giles Actor Anthony Head Remembered by Fans

Head became widely known in the United States for playing Rupert Giles, the Watcher and mentor to Buffy Summers, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The role made him one of the show’s most recognizable figures and connected him with generations of viewers who saw Giles as a calm, wise and protective presence.

Years later, Head reached a new audience through Ted Lasso, where he played Rupert Mannion, the former owner of AFC Richmond and former husband of Rebecca Welton. The role showed a sharper, colder side of his screen presence and became one of his most visible later-career performances.

A Long Career Across TV, Film and Stage

Across nearly five decades, Head built a career that moved across British television, American TV, film and stage. His credits included Merlin, Little Britain, Dominion, The Stranger and the 2024 film Upgraded.

In their statement, Emily and Daisy Head said it was an honor and privilege to be his daughters and to witness the impact his work had on audiences. They also said he loved his profession and felt fortunate to work with talented people throughout his career.

Head’s death came months after the death of his longtime partner, Sarah Fisher, who died in December 2025 at 61. His family asked for privacy as they mourned.

For many viewers, Anthony Head’s legacy will remain tied to characters who carried authority, intelligence and emotional depth — especially Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso.