# Shit, Anthony Stewart Head has died {Giles on Buffy and much else} **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [June 5, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639 "2026-06-05T15:53:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/1 "2026-06-05T15:54:00Z")
[https://collider.com/anthony-head-dead-at-72-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-ted-lasso/](https://collider.com/anthony-head-dead-at-72-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-ted-lasso/) ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/2 "2026-06-05T15:59:13Z")
RIP Ripper. Hopefully the Scoobys learned their lesson, and leave you in peace. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/3 "2026-06-05T15:59:41Z")
[Moderating] Even if the title gives the most relevant information, please include more in the body of an OP than just a link. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/4 "2026-06-05T16:01:13Z")
Following the link, there’s not much there. A photo, and the text: **Anthony Stewart Head** , the British actor best known to international audiences as Rupert Giles in _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ , has died at the age of 72. This is a developing story. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/5 "2026-06-05T16:01:19Z")
Damn. That’s depressing. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/6 "2026-06-05T16:04:23Z")
i’m sorry to read this. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/7 "2026-06-05T16:07:33Z")
Before _Buffy_, Head became famous as the co-star, with Sharon Maughan, in a long-running series of ads for Taster’s Choice Coffee (and for Nescafe Gold in the UK). The ads were developed and shown in a serial format, each ending in a cliffhanger, as the two characters increasingly flirted while sharing coffee. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jsN4YwbM9kw/hqdefault.jpg "Gold Blend compilation") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsN4YwbM9kw) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/8 "2026-06-05T16:13:26Z")
Yes, I remember him originally for the Taster’s Choice ads. Then I knew him for _Buffy_, and then the TV show _Merlin_ (where he very adeptly played a very jerkish version of Uther Pendragon), and then another villain role on _Ted Lasso_. A pretty diverse range of roles. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/9 "2026-06-05T16:16:37Z")
It was a one off appearance, but he was brilliant is a season 2 episode of new Doctor Who, the same one that brought Sarah Jane back. I have recently rewatched a lot of Ted Lasso and with the show coming back soon, rough timing. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/10 "2026-06-05T16:23:24Z")
He was in the series _Yonderland_, by the same people that made the original _Ghosts_ UK. Sort of a fragile character and I thought he was in bad shape then, until I saw him much sturdier in _Ted Lasso_ and realized it was acting. I see that his “long term partner” died only a few months ago. [https://parade.com/news/anthony-stewart-head-partner-sarah-fisher-death-tributes](https://parade.com/news/anthony-stewart-head-partner-sarah-fisher-death-tributes) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/11 "2026-06-05T16:36:40Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > It was a one off appearance, but he was brilliant is a season 2 episode of new Doctor Who, the same one that brought Sarah Jane back. Oh, that’s right! Wasn’t it something about a school with gargoyles? It’s ringing a bell. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/12 "2026-06-05T16:40:13Z")
[School Reunion s2e3.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0562993/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_1_cdt_epp_sm_1) He played the evil alien Principal, Mr. Finch. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/13 "2026-06-05T16:42:07Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > He played the evil alien Principal, Mr. Finch. I did remember right! I looked up that episode, and yeah, the aliens did look somewhat gargoyle-like. [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgxwuqbspTz6ZFKrO5JL9KUQ2_AVUXZ2mHMVC4gaQnluiYSmdoFzRfvUidRCHVuScWt2RZ9acMS10PQ5eCHhiJp8za-a1T-IwUzKQoHBH1l91OxQX-kaC806c2oM0w65Q3CT9KjQtuRF6/s1600/7655972.jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgxwuqbspTz6ZFKrO5JL9KUQ2_AVUXZ2mHMVC4gaQnluiYSmdoFzRfvUidRCHVuScWt2RZ9acMS10PQ5eCHhiJp8za-a1T-IwUzKQoHBH1l91OxQX-kaC806c2oM0w65Q3CT9KjQtuRF6/s1600/7655972.jpg) He was good at being a snooty villain or a very gentle academic type depending on the show. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/14 "2026-06-05T17:15:10Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Following the link, there’s not much there. There’s a bit more, though not a lot, in [this from Entertainment Weekly](https://ew.com/anthony-head-dies-buffy-ted-lasso-star-11991985?hid=ffc18ebb97eef34054cd0444d63de3402788eca1&did=23998052-20260605&utm_campaign=ewk_relationship-builder&utm_source=ewk&utm_medium=email&utm_content=060526&lctg=ffc18ebb97eef34054cd0444d63de3402788eca1&lr_input=9db31d9e36a95a3e06d30e71954472d4f2f36dd9ce9ccd4a6b0082e50a97a095&utm_term=news-alert). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/15 "2026-06-05T17:22:50Z")
Very sad and surprising. Giles is a great character and he played him so well. Uther was a bit more one dimensional but he played it as best as could be done. Such a sad time for Buffy, losing Dawn, Xander, and now Giles. Yeesh. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/16 "2026-06-05T17:23:10Z")
Weirdly, the Wikipedia biography doesn’t have an exact death date, just saying May or June of this year. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/17 "2026-06-05T17:58:51Z")
TIL that Anthony was the younger brother of actor/singer Murray Head. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/18 "2026-06-05T18:00:38Z")
He played evil so well. He will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/19 "2026-06-05T18:10:44Z")
First thought: Damn. Second thought: Younger than me. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639/20 "2026-06-05T18:16:49Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Weirdly, the Wikipedia biography doesn’t have an exact death date, just saying May or June of this year. It looks like his daughters’ public announcement of his death, which was released today, did not include mention of the date of his passing. Thus, whoever edited his Wikipedia page to include that information had to approximate when he would have died (I’d guess, based on his last public appearance or something). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-anthony-stewart-head-has-died-giles-on-buffy-and-much-else/1030639.md?page=2)