Anthony Head, who died on June 5 at the age of 72, is being honored by his “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-stars.
Head first appeared in the show’s pilot as Rupert Giles, the titular character Buffy’s Watcher and mentor. Giles also worked as the Sunnydale High School librarian, and was a main cast member for the first five of the show’s seven seasons, appearing as a recurring character for the last two seasons.
Throughout his time on “Buffy,” Head appeared onscreen alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, James Marsters, Marc Blucas, Emma Caulfield, Michelle Trachtenberg, and more.
Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins, posted a photo of herself with Head on Instagram, writing, “This was taken on the London Underground in 2011. I went to visit my friend Tony on the set of The Iron Lady. We had lunch, hit up a record store, had dinner and drinks and laughed until our sides hurt. It was a perfect day. 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.”
Boreanaz, who played Buffy’s first love interest in the series, Angel, shared a tribute to the late actor via social media.
“RIP. He was so kind and generous of a soul,” Boreanaz captioned his Instagram story.
Marsters, who also played Buffy’s love interest and vampire Spike, took to Instagram to write, “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.”
Head died of complications due to pneumonia, confirmed by his daughters, Daisy and Emily Head, in a statement to BBC News.
Head also appeared on “Ted Lasso,” where he played Rupert Mannion, the grumpy former owner of AFC Richmond who cedes ownership of the club to his wife (Hannah Waddingham) during their divorce, and the Arthurian fantsy series “Merlin,” where he played King Uther Pendragon.