"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Cast Mourns Anthony Head's Death

Anthony Stewart Head, who died at the age of 72 on Friday, is being honored by his “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-stars.

Head first appeared in the show’s pilot as Rupert Giles, the titular character Buffy’s Watcher and mentor.

Giles also worked as the Sunnydale High School librarian and was a main cast member for the first five of the show’s seven seasons, appearing as a recurring character for the last two seasons.

Throughout his time on “Buffy,” Head appeared onscreen alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, James Marsters, Marc Blucas, Emma Caulfield, Michelle Trachtenberg, and more.

Gellar paid tribute to Head, writing on Instagram, “’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.”

Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins, posted a photo of herself with Head on Instagram, penning, “This was taken on the London Underground in 2011. 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. 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.”

Boreanaz, who played Buffy’s first love interest in the series, Angel, shared a tribute to the late actor on social media.

“RIP. He was so kind and generous of a soul,” Boreanaz wrote on Instagram story.

In a new post, the "Angel" alum shared a photo with Head, writing: "This is how I met Anthony, in laughter and smile always. And this is how I will remember him always. All kindness and a soul that was inspiring to me. Thank you brother . RIP,"

Marsters, who also played Buffy’s lover and vampire Spike, took to the platform to write, “There’s a hole in the World. Anthony Head has passed on from us. He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast. 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.”

Clare Kramer, who portrayed Glory in the series, also shared a heartfelt tribute.

“Rest in Peace, Anthony. To know you was a pleasure. To work with you an honor,” she wrote on Instagram. “Through Giles, you gave us bravery without fearlessness, and compassion without weakness — an exemplary performance (and one of many). My condolences to your girls, family, and all who had the pleasure of loving you. Rest easy, Watcher.”

Head died of complications due to pneumonia, his daughters, Daisy and Emily Head, said in a statement.

The late actor also appeared on “Ted Lasso,” where he played Rupert Mannion, the grumpy former owner of AFC Richmond who cedes ownership of the club to his wife (Hannah Waddingham) during their divorce, and the Arthurian fantsy series “Merlin,” where he played King Uther Pendragon.

Head’s other credits include playing the Prime Minister in the sketch comedy series “Little Britain” and Uther Pendragon in the fantasy adventure program “Merlin.”

While he was mostly recognized for his work on television, Head began his career in the theater, acting in the musical “Godspell” in the late 1970s. He also appeared in productions of “Chess,” “Peter Pan,” and “Rocky Horror Show Live.”

Before he broke out on screen, Head gained recognition in the U.K. as the star of a series of Nescafé commercials that ran from 1987 to 1993.

“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,” Emily and Daisy wrote in their statement. “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.”