Sarah Michelle Gellar has paid tribute to British actor Anthony Head, who played Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, following his death at t the age of 72.
His daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, confirmed their father passed away peacefully from complications related to pneumonia with his family at his side.
In a statement released on Friday, they said: "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."
The sisters added that their father "loved his job very much" and felt "incredibly lucky" to have collaborated with talented colleagues across a career spanning multiple decades.
Anthony Head and Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
|GETTY
Ms Gellar, who starred opposite Mr Head for seven seasons as the titular vampire slayer, shared a poignant message on Instagram alongside photographs spanning their years together.
The 49-year-old actress opened with a line from the show's fifth season finale: "'Tell Giles I figured it out and I'm ok'. Well I don't have it figured out and I'm not ok."
She continued: "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."
Ms Gellar's post included behind-the-scenes images with the cast as well as screenshots from a memorable exchange between Buffy and Giles in which her character asks whether life ever becomes easier.
Ted Lasso and Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Anthony Head died aged 72
| GETTYFellow Buffy cast members swiftly added their voices to the outpouring of grief.
James Marsters, who portrayed the punk vampire Spike, declared: "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."
Emma Caulfield, who played the reformed demon Anya, reflected on nearly three decades of friendship, describing Head as "kind and wise and a guide in troubled times."
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David Boreanaz, who starred as the brooding vampire Angel, remembered his colleague as possessing "a kind and generous soul" whose humour brought tremendous energy to the set.
Eliza Dushku, who played rogue slayer Faith, offered thanks "for every scene and time shared."
Mr Head's colleagues from the Emmy-winning Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso, where he portrayed the despicable former football club owner Rupert Mannion, also paid their respects.
Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent and writes for the series, observed: "Anthony Head was a brilliant actor who played the worst person in the world, which was an incredible skill because he was the best person. Infinitely charming and kind and fun and a joy."
Sarah Michelle Gellar played the titular role in Buffy
|PA
Jeremy Swift shared a photograph of himself with Head, writing: "Goodbye Tony, we adored you, Rest in Peace my friend."
Russell T Davies, who directed Head in Doctor Who, called him "so wise, so kind, so classy" and noted that the actor spoke of his daughters "with such love and joy."
Matt Lucas, his Little Britain co-star, described him as "unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm."