Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has paid a heartfelt tribute to her on-screen mentor, actor Anthony Head
Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has posted a moving tribute to actor Anthony Head on Instagram, leaving fans heartbroken.
The British actor, celebrated for playing Buffy’s mentor Rupert Giles throughout all seven series of the beloved fantasy programme, passed away aged 72 following complications from pneumonia.
He died peacefully with his family by his side. His daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, released a statement saying: “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”, reports the Mirror.
Gellar has added her voice to those honouring the cherished actor with an Instagram post containing multiple behind-the-scenes photographs of Head alongside the Buffy ensemble.
Referencing the show, she posted: “‘Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m ok’ Well I don’t have it figured out and I’m not ok.
“But I know I’m the lucky one because I knew you. Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world.”
Her post today (Friday, 5th June) was instantly flooded with messages of sympathy from supporters.
One admirer responded: “Im so sorry for your loss Sarah, the whole world is missing their Watcher right now that’s for sure.”
Another person wrote: “This has been a rough couple years for the buffyverse. My heart is just broken.”
A third said: “Absolutely heartbroken. Giles was the father figure that so many of us never had.”
And one final supporter penned: “My heart is broken we lost a true angel.”
Head’s subsequent roles included his antagonistic turn in Apple TV’s popular sports comedy Ted Lasso, Bill in Motherland, and Lord Sheffield in an episode of Netflix’s Bridgerton.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to stream on Disney+ and ITVX.
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