Sarah Michelle Gellar leads tributes to Buffy co-star Anthony Head: ‘I’m not OK’

By Laura Harding and Carla Feric, Press Association

American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar has led the tributes to her Buffy The Vampire Slayer co-star Anthony Head after the death of the English actor aged 72.

Head was best known as librarian Rupert Giles in the cult US supernatural TV series, starring Gellar in the the title role, which ran from 1997 to 2003.

A statement from his daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, to the Press Association on Friday revealed their father had “passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia”.

The statement also said “his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences that love them” as his daughters reflected on the impact of his decades-long career.

Gellar, 49, shared a photo of herself with Head, his daughters and their Buffy co-star Seth Green on Instagram as she paid tribute.

She also included images of her and Head throughout the years, including a memorable scene during which Buffy asks Giles whether life gets any easier.

Gellar 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.”

Among the Buffy cast remembering Head, David Boreanaz, who played Angel, described his co-star as a “kind and generous soul”, while James Marsters – the punk-rock vampire Spike – said the death left a “hole in the world”.

Emma Caulfield, who played reformed demon Anya in Buffy, reflected on their 27 years of friendship as she hailed him as “kind, wise and a guide in troubled times”.

Charisma Carpenter, who starred as queen bee Cordelia Chase, recounted meeting Head in the Buffy production office for the first time and being “completely thrown off” by how different he was to his stuffy librarian character.

The American actress said: “He had an earring, Converse high-tops and a pair of loose-fitting, boldly striped pants. There wasn’t a trace of Giles to be found, which was a testament to his gifts.”

Head also starred in football comedy Ted Lasso from 2020 as former Richmond FC owner Rupert Mannion, the ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s character Rebecca Welton.

Brett Goldstein, their co-star and a writer on the show, remembered him as “infinitely charming and kind and fun and a joy”, adding: “Anthony Head was a brilliant actor who played the worst person in the world, which was an incredible skill because he was the best person.

“He will be sorely missed. Love to his family.”

Other notable roles included the prime minister in Little Britain alongside actor Matt Lucas, who wrote on X that Head was “unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm”.

He played King Uther Pendragon in Merlin, the father of Prince Arthur, where he worked alongside award-winning screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies.

Davies remembered Head as an “absolute delight”, writing: “He spoke always about his daughters with such love and joy, what a wonderful dad.

“Love and sympathy to Emily, Daisy, family and friends, he’ll be missed and remembered across the world. Good night, sir.”

Known for his distinctive baritone voice, Head first rose to fame in the UK in the 1980s in the Nescafe Gold Blend television adverts alongside Sharon Maughan.

The ads, which ran from 1987 to 1993, are one of the best-known examples of serialised advertising.

He was also a singer, starring in the 1990 West End revival of The Rocky Horror Show as Dr Frank-N-Furter, and recorded music, including the album of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer musical episode.

Head’s role in Buffy made him famous in the United States, but he left the regular cast during the show’s sixth season, only appearing as a guest star until the series concluded.

He also acted in Motherland, Manchild, Silent Witness, Spooks, Doctor Who and My Family, and in July 2018 he joined the cast of BBC Radio 4 long-running drama The Archers.

Head’s long-time partner, animal welfare campaigner Sarah Fisher, died in December 2025 aged 61.

Fisher was a patron of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary and an ambassador for Battersea Dogs And Cats Home alongside her husband.

Peter Laurie, the chief executive of Battersea, said: “Anthony, alongside his late partner Sarah Fisher, gave so much to our charity, fostering dogs, raising awareness of our work, and supporting our events and fundraisers.

“A true champion for all rescue animals, he will be dearly missed by all of us.”