The Buffy the Vampire Slayer forged is mourning the lack of actor Anthony Stewart Head following his death at age 72.
Head famously played Rupert Giles, the leader of the “Scooby Gang” and Buffy Summers’ (Sarah Michelle Gellar) mentor, on the hit show from 1997 to 2003.
The actor’s family confirmed his death on Friday, June 5, revealing, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head.”
Head’s two daughters, Emily and Daisy, added that he “passed away peacefully of complications as a result of pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”
Head’s death is the most recent heartbreak to affect the Buffy family following Nicholas Brendan’s death in March and Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing in February 2025.
Within the wake of probably the most recent tragedy, Head’s Buffy castmates, including David Boreanaz, who played Angel on the hit series, and Gellar, who played the show’s lead, took to social media to honor his legacy.
Scroll right down to see which Buffy stars have paid tribute to the late actor:
David Boreanaz, Sarah Michelle Gellar. twentieth Century Fox Film Corp/Everett Collection
David Boreanaz
“RIP,” Boreanaz wrote via his Instagram Story with a praying hand emoji while reposting Head’s death announcement. “He was so kind and generous of a soul.”
Eliza Dushku
Eliza Dushku, who played slayer Faith, shared a photograph of Head via her Instagram Story on Friday. “Tony H ~ For each scene & time shared, I give thanks. Rest in love and peace, kind sir. An expensive one,” she wrote.
Sarah Michelle Gellar is once more remembering her longtime Buffy the Vampire Slayer costar Nicholas Brendon following his death at age 54. “It’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy if you lose anyone at any point. It’s a much bigger tragedy if you lose someone way ahead of must be,” Gellar, 48, said during a Rome press […]
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Seth Green, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Anthony Head and his daughters Daisy and Emily. Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar, who played the titular character Buffy, quoted the show while paying tribute to her TV mentor. “‘Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m OK.’ Well I don’t have it found out and I’m not OK,” the actress wrote via Instagram. “But I do know I’m the lucky one because I knew you.”
Gellar shared a series of photos from her time with Head while filming the hit series, including one with Buffy costar Seth Green and Head’s two daughters.
“Thanks to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world,” Gellar added.
James Marsters
“There’s a hole within the World. Anthony Head has passed on from us,” James Marsters, who played vampire Spike, wrote via Instagram. “He was an unflaggingly kind and regular presence on the set of Buffy, and the most effective actor within the forged.”
The actor gushed about his late costar, adding, “He was the most effective of us. I used to be lucky to have known, and learned from him. He left the world a greater place for his presence. Thanks Tony for all you gave.”
Emma Caulfield
Emma Caulfield and Anthony Head. Courtesy of Emma Caulfield/Instagram
Emma Caulfield, who portrayed Anya, shared a throwback photo with the late actor via Instagram. “This was taken on the London Underground in 2011,” she recalled. “I went to go to my friend Tony on the set of The Iron Lady. We had lunch, hit up a record store, had dinner and drinks and laughed until our sides hurt. It was an ideal day.”
Caulfield shared, “There have been a lot of these moments with this amazing human who I used to be lucky enough to call my friend for 27 years. He was kind and clever and a guide in troubled times. You were so loved. Unimaginable to caption. You might be so missed. ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ rest in peace along with your beautiful Sarah-Emma.”
Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase, paid homage to Head via a lengthy Instagram statement on Friday.
“Tony brought life to a personality who, for therefore many, was the daddy figure they needed but didn’t have at home. Fans far and wide are surely grieving, and for that, I’m deeply sorry,” she began. “I used to be not as near Tony as among the others from the forged were, and it pains me that I even have to say ‘were.’ Even so, I’m still feeling affected by this loss, and my heart is actually with my fellow classmates who remained near him and his family to this present day. I’m holding all of them in my thoughts and sending love.”
Carpenter shared a series of photos of Head on Buffy and quotes from the show as she remembered his legacy.
“I’m especially sorry for the tremendous loss his daughters, Emily and Daisy, are enduring, and I wish to increase my deepest condolences to them. They’re young women now, though they were just darling little girls once I met them many years ago,” she continued. “I even have not seen them since, but I hear they embody every little bit of the love, kindness, and commitment to others that their parents did.”
Carpenter called Head “an icon” who she was “fortunate” to have worked with at such a young age.
Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charisma Carpenter, Alyson Hannigan. twentieth Century Fox Film Corp/Everett Collection
“I remember meeting him within the production office for the primary time and being completely thrown off by his hippie-vibe demeanor, with a touch of punk-rock flair,” the actress recalled. “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.”
Carpenter noted that Head was “incredibly kind” to everyone he met, calling him the best example of “a really good human being.”
“Recently, for the primary time, I watched his performance in considered one of my favorite BTVS episodes, ‘Mislead Me.’ His speech at the tip couldn’t feel more relevant today, not only in light of this news, but additionally given the state of the world,” she concluded. “I invite everyone to revisit it that cares to. Thankfully, we will. For that I’m grateful. Rest well, Tony. You might be loved.”
Alyson Hannigan
The Willow Rosenberg actress described Head’s death as a cut “so deep I fear it may possibly never heal.”
“Oh Tonal…I’m so grateful to have had you in my life! I need to say one million wonderful things about you and yet I can’t seem to search out the words that might do you justice,” Hannigan wrote via Instagram on Saturday, June 6. “ I really like you a lot and can miss you eternally. RIP”
Gellar offered support by writing, “He loved you so dearly Aly.”