Buffy and Ted Lasso star Anthony Head dies at 72

British actor Anthony Head has died at the age of 72.

Head was best known for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso, Merlin, and Little Britain.

The successful actor found international fame as Rupert Giles in the teen sci-fi hit Buffy in the late 1990s.

Head then went on to have a recurring role in sketch show Little Britain, and portrayed King Uther Pendragon in the BBC's Merlin. He also played former football club owner Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso.

Some of his other credits included The Iron Lady, Persuasion, The Inbetweeners and Manchild.

In a statement released by Head's family, his daughters Emily and Daisy Head said: "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father".

"He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.

"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."

His daughters also said they knew "how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues and fans of the show he was in", adding that he "loved his job very much" and "always considered himself incredibly lucky".

His family further acknowledged that "his legacy will live on" and said they considered themselves "lucky" to have watched him doing what he loved throughout his career, per the BBC.