The actress behind Willow pays tribute to the man behind Giles.

Buffy star Alyson Hannigan mourns the death of Anthony Head: ‘This cut is so deep I fear it can never heal’

The actress behind Willow pays tribute to the man behind Giles.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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June 6, 2026 1:16 p.m. ET

Alyson Hannigan and Anthony Head at a 2003 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' wrap party. Credit:

Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

- Alyson Hannigan paid tribute to Anthony Head, her costar on *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*.

- Head died at the age of 72, his daughters announced on Friday.

- Hannigan starred as teen witch Willow opposite Head as fellow magic expert Rupert Giles.

Alyson Hannigan, known to the *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* crowd as witchy Willow Rosenberg, paid tribute to her costar, Anthony Head, the man behind Rupert Giles on the long-running supernatural drama.

Head died at the age of 72 from "complications due to pneumonia," the late actor's daughters, Emily and Daisy, announced on Friday.

"This cut is so deep I fear it can never heal. 💔," Hannigan said in a statement shared to social media. "Oh Tonal…I am so grateful to have had you in my life! I want to say a million wonderful things about you and yet I can’t seem to find the words that would do you justice. I love you so much and will miss you forever. RIP."

Though Head's Giles was primarily the Watcher in charge of overseeing Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy Summers, the titular vampire Slayer, he had a complex but deeply heartfelt relationship with Willow. On the core Team Buffy, they were both the magic users; Willow more so.

Giles was often a mentor to the young witch, though things took a more serious turn when Willow succumbed to darker magicks (e.g. the "Dark Willow" saga of season 6).

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The veteran cast members of *Buffy*, which ran for seven seasons starting in 1997, experienced more loss than most shows in recent years.

Anthony Head and Alyson Hannigan on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett

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Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Buffy's young sister Dawn, died in February 2025 at the age of 39 from complications with diabetes mellitus. Only two months ago, in March 2026, Nicholas Brendon, a.k.a. Xander Harris, died at 54. An autopsy report confirmed Brendon passed away from atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with acute pneumonia and previous myocardial infarction — commonly known as a heart attack — being contributing factors.

Of Trechtenberg, Hannigan wrote on social media last year how "she brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy."

Of Brendon, with whom she shared a closer bond, the actress wrote, "My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you."

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