British actor Anthony Head, whose smooth voice and sophisticated demeanor made him a beloved figure in television, has passed away at the age of 72, according to his family’s announcement on Friday.
His daughters, both actresses Emily and Daisy Head, confirmed through the Press Association news agency that their father died from complications related to pneumonia.
Head first captured British television viewers’ attention during the 1980s when he starred in a memorable series of Nescafe instant coffee commercials, playing one part of a romantic duo whose relationship kept audiences guessing.
American audiences came to know Head through his portrayal of librarian Rupert Giles, the wise mentor figure in the beloved supernatural television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which aired from 1997 through 2003.
In his latest role, Head portrayed Rupert Mannion, the antagonistic former spouse of Rebecca, the character played by Hannah Waddingham, in the popular series “Ted Lasso.”
“Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind, but we know his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences that love them,” his daughters said. “How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us.”
