Buffy the Vampire Slayer Actress Alyson Hannigan has shared a devastating tribute to Anthony Head after his death.
The 72-year-old actor played librarian Rupert Giles in the wild American supernatural TV series, led by Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers, a high school student juggling her normal life with her responsibilities as a vampire and demon hunter.
Head appeared in 121 episodes as the main character for the first five seasons before becoming a guest star in the final series.
His fellow cast member Hannigan played Willow Rosenberg, an integral character of the inner circle who supported Buffy with her superhuman powers.
After Head’s daughters announced Friday that he had died of complications from pneumonia, Hannigan went to the Instagram with a heartbreaking post, sharing an old photo with the late TV star.
“This cut is so deep I’m afraid it may never heal. 💔,” she began.
‘Oh Tonal…I am so thankful to have you in my life! I want to say a million wonderful things about you and yet I can’t find the words to do you justice.’
‘I love you so much and will miss you forever. RIP,” she concluded.
Grieving fans rushed to send their condolences in the comments, with Gellar, 49, sweetly writing: “He loved you so much Aly.”
‘This hurts a lot. Giles was our favorite father figure we wish we had ❤️❤️,” said @the_finalgirl90.
‘Forever our favorite librarian ❤️🕊️ Sending my condolences to all those close to him 💐 🙏🏼,’ commented @adorbshannigan.
His love for you was clear, even behind the character. 🖤’ commented @missxvincent.
@elbuenr3 also said that “it’s been a tough few years for the Buffy family,” following the deaths of Michelle Trachtenberg (who played Dawn Summers) last February and Nicholas Brendon (who played Xander Harris) this March.
It was stated that Trachtenberg, 39, died mainly due to complications from diabeteswhile Brendon, 54, died in his sleep at home, with his family saying it was of natural causes.
Gellar has previously paid tribute to her late collaborators, writing on the one-year anniversary of Trachtenberg’s death: “When I think of you, that smile that took over your face and brought so much joy to others is what comes to mind.” You may not have been with us for long, but we’ll make sure everyone remembers.’
Then, when Brendon died, she moved on social media: ‘I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that great rocking chair in the sky.’
This week, after the Head actress’ daughters Emily and Daisy Head released a statement, Gellar quoted her character, writing: “Tell Giles I got it and I’m fine” Well, I haven’t and I’m not fine. But I know I’m lucky because I got to know you. Thank you Daisy and Emily for not only sharing their father with me, but with the world.’
In their original release, Emily, who played Carli D’Amato in The Inbetweeners, and Daisy who appeared in Harlots, Shadow and Bone and The Gray House, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our incredible father, Anthony Head.”
They confirmed he “passed peacefully”, just six months after their wife and mother, animal welfare campaigner Sarah Fisher, died aged 61.
“It has been, and forever will be, an honor and a privilege to be his daughters and to have witnessed firsthand the impact he and his work had on so many,” the sister continued.
“We know how much he will be missed by his friends, colleagues and fans of the shows he was in – he loved his work so much and always considered himself incredibly lucky to have been able to work alongside such incredibly talented people on such wonderful productions over a career spanning several decades.”
They concluded: “Our pain is far greater than the hole he left behind, but we know his legacy will live on in the shows he was a part of and in the audiences who love him. How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him do what he loved, even when he is no longer with us.’
As well as his role on Buffy, Head was famous for appearing in Ted Lasso as Rupert Mannion, the ex-husband of Hannah Waddinghamthe character of Rebecca.
His other previous acting credits include the Nescafé Gold Blend TV commercials, which shot him to fame in the 1980s, before he went on to star in Little Britain, The Inbetweeners, Merlin, Motherland, Manchild, Silent Witness, Spooks, Doctor Whoand more.
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