Anthony Head became known to British television audiences in the 1980s as one half of a romantic couple in a series of ads for Nescafé instant coffee.Jonathan Short/Associated Press
Anthony Head, the soft-spoken British actor known for his roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Ted Lasso,” has died, his family announced Friday. He was 72 years old.
Mr Head’s daughters, actors Emily Head and Daisy Head, told the Press Association that Mr Head died of complications from pneumonia.
The stage and television performer became well-known to British audiences in the 1980s as one half of the romantic couple Will to They, Will to They in a series of advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend instant coffee. The ad was later reshot for a US audience for Taster’s Choice.
Head rose to fame in the United States as librarian Rupert Giles, mentor to the title character in the cult supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997 to 2003.
He most recently played Rupert Mannion, the villainous ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s character Rebecca, in Ted Lasso.
“While our grief far outweighs the hole he left, we know his legacy will live on in the shows he starred in and the audiences who loved them.” “How lucky we are to be able to see him doing what he loves even when he is no longer with us.”
Head was born in London on February 20, 1954, to documentary film director Seafield Head and actor Helen Shingler. His older brother Murray is also an actor.
Other notable roles include playing Geoffrey Howe, aide to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher played by Meryl Streep, in the Oscar-winning film The Iron Lady.
Head played the Prime Minister himself in the sketch comedy show Little Britain and King Uther Pendragon, Prince Arthur’s father, in the TV series Merlin. He also appeared in Motherland, Manchild, and Silent Witness, appeared in many plays, musicals, and recorded music as a singer.
He was predeceased by his long-time partner, animal rights activist Sarah Fisher, 61, in 2025.
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