Anthony Head, known for playing Rupert Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Rupert Mannion on Ted Lasso, has died at age 72. His daughters Emily and Daisy Head announced his death on June 5, saying he passed away peacefully from complications due to pneumonia
Anthony Head’s family shared the news with heavy hearts on Friday, June 5, letting the world know the actor they called an “extraordinary father” has died at 72.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head,” Emily and Daisy Head said in a statement. They added that he “passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”
For Emily and Daisy. his loss isn’t just personal—it’s tied to the years of work they watched him pour into. “It has been. and forever will be. an honor and a privilege to be his daughters. and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many. ” they wrote. They said they know he will be missed by “friends. colleagues. and fans of the shows he was in. ” emphasizing that “he loved his job very much” and that he always felt “incredibly lucky” to have worked with “exceptionally talented people” in “wonderful productions” across a career spanning several decades.
The statement then turned to the shows that helped define his public life. Emily and Daisy shared. “We know his legacy will live on. in the shows he was a part of. and in the audiences that love them.” They said they feel fortunate to be able to keep watching him “doing what he loved. even when he is no longer with us.”.
They ended by asking for privacy during a difficult time. “We kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this difficult time.”
Anthony Head was best known for his role as Rupert Giles on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. More recently, he appeared on Ted Lasso as Rupert Mannion from 2020 to 2023.
He was predeceased by his longtime partner, Sarah Fisher. In January, Emily and Daisy announced that their mother had died late last year. In their earlier statement. they wrote. “We are so sorry to have to share the news that our extraordinary. kind and talented mother. Sarah. passed away recently.” They described it as “immensely shocking” and “came with very little warning.”.
They said Fisher was an animal welfare campaigner who ran the 90-acre Tilley Farm. “We only wish she’d had more time to share her knowledge and brilliance with us. and the world. ” the sisters added at the time. They also spoke about the “crater her absence has left” and said their grief “knows no bounds. ” describing Fisher’s “incredibly unique and irreplaceable spirit.”.
“We know how profoundly she has impacted the lives of so many. ” Emily and Daisy said in that statement. adding that they were “more proud of the legacy she is leaving behind.” They noted how much she treasured relationships with friends. colleagues. and collaborators. and thanked the wider community for being part of her “enriched life.”.
Anthony Head Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rupert Giles Ted Lasso Rupert Mannion Emily Head Daisy Head Sarah Fisher pneumonia Tilley Farm