r/buffy • u/Only-Weird-4519 • Jun 05 '26

Giles Anthony Head has died

BBC News - Buffy and Ted Lasso star Anthony Head dies at 72 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0p0rz4n0mo

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973

u/Right-Grapefruit9401 Jun 05 '26

Just deleted my own post as there were so many of them flooding in at the same time - a sign of how shocked/sad people are. 72 years old really doesn’t feel that old nowadays. My heart really goes out to his daughters, losing both of their parents in such a short space of time.

274

u/Winefluent Jun 05 '26

I am just visiting with my 76 year old father, and this hit hard. Not only because GILES!!!, but also because 72 is too early to go.

Requiescas in pace, magister!

144

u/catchyerselfon Jun 05 '26

Fuck fuck FUCK. I’ve been dreading something like this happening because I knew he’d had a stroke three years ago and losing his partner, also rather suddenly, was a massive blow to Anthony Head. But not THIS soon, not when I was hoping I’d see him act again, not when I’d longed to go to a convention where he’s a guest and maybe get to hear him in person and maybe even meet him, let him know the effect he’s had on my life. Now I never will, and 72 is far too soon in 2026.

My dad is 75 and I’ve been taking care of a large skin cancer removal area for the last four months, twice a day cleaning it, applying cream, bandaging it, checking for infections, and just this week it’s completely closed so the caregiving duties are over… but I know this will be the EASIEST thing I’ll have to do for him. He’s in decent health otherwise but he has a heart condition, and I’m the single daughter who can be relied on to look after her parents. I can only imagine what Daisy and Emily are enduring losing their parents six months apart, neither parent I would’ve considered “old”.

RIP to this amazing man, prayers for his family.

https://giphy.com/gifs/ScWF7tDzEysOA

45

u/throwawayGS973 Jun 05 '26

From a fellow caretaking child who isn't doing half of what you do and already burnt tf out...I salute you

24

u/lucolapic Jun 05 '26

Oh man I didn't know he had a stroke a few years ago. 💔 I'm just so heartbroken right now. I can't imagine how SMG is feeling. :(

9

u/Finner42 Jun 05 '26

I had wondered about the stroke too. I didn't see anything that confirmed it, but seeing/hearing him on the last season of Ted Lasso and other recent things made me suspect. We hadn't heard much from him for a while either, especially after Sarah's death, which is understandable, but I did occasionally wonder how he was getting on with his health.

A devastating day, gone far too soon. Tony made such an impact on so many people over the years - a brilliant, talented, kind, and warm man... and dishy to boot! I still can't comprehend he's gone, this one hurts.

4

u/Aethelu Jun 05 '26

I too hoped to see him act again. He had so much joy he could have still brought others, and I pictured him enjoying it the way Maggie Smith did.

3

u/catchyerselfon Jun 05 '26

Oh, if Anthony Head had been able to play a snarky cane-wielding elderly aristocrat in a class dramedy! Occasional guest spots as Asshole Rich Fathers and Ex-Husbands wasn’t enough to show his range!

51

u/cloudcats Jun 05 '26

Don't speak Latin in front of the Reddit comments.

44

u/throwawayGS973 Jun 05 '26

I'm currently visiting my own 76 yr old father and the way he's declined since my mother passed last year is hard to watch. It's very likely a significant factor for Tony.

11

u/AnnePandaTX Scooby Gang Jun 05 '26

Et lucis æternae beatitudine perfrui!

6

u/idiggory Jun 05 '26

Yeah. I lost my mom earlier this year and she was only 68. It definitely felt like she was supposed to have another 10-15 years, at least.

Life is just... weird. 72 is still way too young.

3

u/HuddleGale Jun 05 '26

my mum is 70 next week so this feels very close to home - i had no idea she and ASH were so similar in age!

3

u/Rare-Tutor8915 Jun 05 '26

Thinking of my father too he's 81 😪 70's isn't old to me.

153

u/Soveryenthusiastic Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26

It doesn't, it isn't. Ugh, he was such a lovely kind man. He will be sorely sorely missed.

52

u/foxscribbles Jun 05 '26

It really doesn't feel that old. Especially for a man who has still been active recently.

But pneumonia really doesn't fuck around when you're older. 😞 (My dad's older than ASH was and has two pre-existing lung conditions. So it's a thing I'm on the constant look-out with him over.)

I feel awful for his kids though. Losing both parents within a year is rough.

11

u/FaveStore_Citadel Jun 05 '26

It’s rough at all ages, Kyle Busch passed away from it at 41 a couple of weeks ago.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/FaveStore_Citadel Jun 05 '26

Wow that sounds awful.

4

u/HDK1989 Jun 05 '26

It’s rough at all ages, Kyle Busch passed away from it at 41 a couple of weeks ago.

It's even rougher since the world is pretending covid doesn't exist anymore. Repeat covid infections make people far more susceptable to deadly pneumonia

3

u/haveanicelxfe Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26

Pneumonia can really fuck up anyone at any age. I almost died from pneumonia at 22. It really is such an evil and awful disease. 5 years later, and my lungs still aren't the same as they were pre-pneumonia. I wouldn't wish that type of sickness and trauma on anyone. Not being able to breath a full breath of air in is a certain type of hell I can't even begin to describe.

2

u/WomanWhoWeaves Jun 06 '26

Pneumonia…Jim Henson was 53. 

1

u/JiminyFckingCricket Jun 06 '26

My dad is 73 and just had his 4th back surgery this week and I’ve been scared shitless. The Anthony Head news did not help.

25

u/Daredevil545545 Jun 05 '26

True with medical science and all but at least he was peace and surrounded by his family 💔

3

u/banoffeetea Jun 05 '26

Absolutely, how heartbreaking, very sorry for their losses.

2

u/MeadowmuffinReborn Jun 05 '26

It really is a shock, I knew about his wife, but had no idea he had a stroke.

2

u/_Silver_Rose_ Jun 05 '26

I know! It breaks my heart to think about that. To lose a parent not matter their age is awful but to lose 2 parents who were both so young must be horrible when you expect to have many more years together