The Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast is mourning the loss 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 is 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 due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”
Head’s death is the latest heartbreak to affect the Buffy family following Nicholas Brendan’s death in March and Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing in February 2025.
In the wake of 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 down to see which Buffy stars have paid tribute to the late actor:
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
Dushku, who played slayer Faith, shared a photo of Head via her Instagram Story on Friday. “Tony H ~ For every scene & time shared, I give thanks. Rest in love and peace, kind sir. A dear one,” she wrote.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
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 figured out and I’m not OK,” the actress wrote via Instagram. “But I 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.
“Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world,” Gellar added.
James Marsters
“There’s a hole in the World. Anthony Head has passed on from us,” Marsters, who played vampire Spike, wrote via Instagram. “He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast.”
The actor gushed about his late costar, adding, “He was the best of us. I was lucky to have known, and learned from him. He left the world a better place for his presence. Thank you Tony for all you gave.”
Emma Caulfield
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 visit 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 a perfect day.”
Caulfield shared, “There were many of these moments with this amazing human who I was lucky enough to call my friend for 27 years. He was kind and wise and a guide in troubled times. You were so loved. Impossible to caption. You are so missed. ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ rest in peace with your beautiful Sarah-Emma.”
