British actor Anthony Head has died at the age of 72. Cause of death has been cited as complications from pneumonia.
Primarily a performer in musical theatre and coming to attention for his work in Nescafé ads, Head truly broke out in TV’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” as Rupert Giles who served as the mentor to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy.
He was also known for playing Rupert Mannion, the philandering ex-husband of AFC Richmond owner Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) in Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso”.
He was also part of the regular cast of the BBC drama series “Merlin” as King Uther Pendragon, the father of Prince Arthur, and had notable guest stints on “Doctor Who,” “My Family,” “Spooks,” “Hotel Babylon” and “Silent Witness”.
His film credits include “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” “The Inbetweeners Movie,” “Repo! The Genetic Opera,” “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters,” “The Iron Lady,” “Imagine Me & You” and “Scoop”.
His daughters issued a statement to the Press Association in the U.K., saying:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head. He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.
It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many.
We know how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues, and fans of the shows he was in — he loved his job very much, and he always considered himself incredibly lucky, to have been able to work alongside such exceptionally talented people, in such wonderful productions, across a career that spanned several decades.”
Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends and many fans.
Source: THR
