Anthony Stewart Head, the actor who played Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died of pneumonia at the age of 72.
In just over a year, we have lost three actors from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast. In January 2025, comedian Michelle Trachtenberg, who portrayed Dawn, died at the age of 39. In March, Nicholas Brendon, the actor behind Alexander (Alex/Xander to fans), followed suit at 54. This Friday, June 5, Anthony Head finally joined them. He succumbed to pneumonia, as his family told the Associated Press.
Buffy Pays Tribute to Anthony Head
The death of the actor who portrayed Rupert Giles, one of the warmest and most endearing characters on the show, stirred up a great deal of emotion, including among the cast. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular heroine, posted several photos on Instagram, accompanying them with the following caption (which echoes a line from the series):
“Tell Giles that I’ve found the solution and that I’m fine.” Well, I haven’t found the solution and I’m not fine. But I know I was lucky to know you. Thanks to Daisy and Emily who didn’t share their father just with me, but with the entire world.”
David Boreanaz, who played Angel in the series, posted a story wishing the British actor to “rest in peace,” and adding “he was such a kind and generous soul.” The actor who portrayed Spike, James Marsters, also spoke of the humane and sensitive qualities of his former colleague in an emotional post, also published on Instagram:
“The world is grieving a great void. Anthony Head has left us. He was unfailingly kind and steady on the Buffy set, and the best actor on the show. He was the best of us. I was lucky to know him and to learn from him. He made the world better by simply being there. Thank you, Tony, for everything you contributed.”
The Father We Missed
Joining the list of actors who paid tribute to Anthony Head were Alyson Hannigan (the unforgettable Willow), Eliza Dushku (Faith), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Julie Benz (Darla), and Amber Benson (Tara). Finally, Charisma Carpenter, the actress who played Cordelia, also posted a message on Instagram, in which she spoke of the father figure that Giles’ character—and his gentle performer—represented to so many fans:
“Tony brought to life a character who, for so many people, was the father figure they needed and didn’t have at home. Fans, wherever they are, are mourning, and that saddens me deeply.”
For context, the character Rupert Giles was Buffy’s Watcher and mentor. He accompanied the protagonist through all seven seasons of the show, a main cast member for five of them and a recurring presence in the last two. Besides Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he also appeared in the series Merlin, Dominion, and Ted Lasso.
