‘Buffy’ Cast Reacts to Anthony Head’s Death: Sarah Michelle Gellar and More

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

Eliza 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,” James 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.”

Charisma Carpenter

Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase, paid homage to Head via a lengthy Instagram statement on Friday.

“Tony brought life to a character who, for so many, was the father figure they needed but didn’t have at home. Fans far and wide are surely grieving, and for that, I am deeply sorry,” she began. “I was not as close to Tony as some of the others from the cast were, and it pains me that I have to say ‘were.’ Even so, I am still feeling affected by this loss, and my heart is truly with my fellow classmates who remained close to him and his family to this day. I’m holding them all in my thoughts and sending love.”

Carpenter shared a series of photos of Head on Buffy and quotes from the show as she remembered his legacy.

“I am especially sorry for the tremendous loss his daughters, Emily and Daisy, are enduring, and I wish to extend my deepest condolences to them. They are young women now, though they were just darling little girls when I met them decades ago,” she continued. “I have not seen them since, but I hear they embody every bit of the love, kindness, and commitment to others that their parents did.”

Carpenter called Head “an icon” who she was “fortunate” to have worked with at such a young age.

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Buffy Cast Reacts to Anthony Head Death June 2026 — Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charisma Carpenter, Alyson Hannigan. 20th Century Fox Film Corp/Everett Collection

“I remember meeting him in the production office for the first time and being completely thrown off by his hippie-vibe demeanor, with a touch of punk-rock flair,” the actress recalled. “He had an earring, Converse high-tops, and a pair of loose-fitting, boldly striped pants. There wasn’t a trace of Giles to be found, which was a testament to his gifts.”

Carpenter noted that Head was “incredibly kind” to everyone he met, calling him the finest example of “a truly good human being.”

“Recently, for the first time, I watched his performance in one of my favorite BTVS episodes, ‘Lie to Me.’ His speech at the end could not feel more relevant today, not only in light of this news, but also given the state of the world,” she concluded. “I invite everyone to revisit it that cares to. Thankfully we can. For that I am grateful. Rest well, Tony. You are loved.”

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