<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Anthony Stewart Head (b. February 20, 1954, Camden, London, England) is an English actor best known for his role as Rupert Giles on the TV Series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He was born on February 20, 1954 in Camden Town, North London to parents Seafield Head, a documentary producer and Helen Shingler, an actress. He grew up in Hampton and is the youngest son in the family. His older brother, Murray Head, is also an actor and singer. They have both played Freddy Trumper in the musical Chess though their appearances were three years apart; Murray's in 1986 and Anthony's in 1989.

Head attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art with a career in music in mind. His first role was in the musical Godspell in which he played Jesus. He went on to appear on BBC and ITV in series such as Enemy at the Door and The Mallens. He also appeared in several commercials for Nescafé Gold Blend which made him popular but also type cast him as a romantic hero.

In hopes of boosting his career, he expanded his audience to America and guest starred on several series including Highlander, VR.5 and NYPD Blue. In 1997 he accepted the role of Rupert Giles on Buffy. He was a member of the regular cast until 2001. He left the show but made several guest appearances in the last two seasons of the series.

Head returned to the UK in 2002 and starred in the BBC Two series Manchild. He also appeared in the film I'll Be There and the TV Movies And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself and Reversals. He guest starred on Monarch of the Glen, M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team, Doctor Who and Little Britain.

He is slated to appear in the films Sparkle, Macbeth and Persuasion.

Personal Life

Head has been in a long term relationship with former theatre administrator turned animal trained, Sarah Fisher. The couple has two children, Daisy and Emily. With Sarah, he created the UK TTouch and TTEAM Centre for horses and companion animals at Tilley Farm near Bath.

Head is also a talented singer and musician. After his musical performance on Buffy, he decided to produce an album with artist George Sarah. The album was called 'Music for Elevators' and was released on February 5, 2002.

Quotes

"I sang with a band and all that stuff, but I did make a choice at one point to favor acting as a career just because that seemed to be the way to go."

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“My first job was a musical, and I had quite an interesting and varied career in the theatre and television long before the Gold Blend ad came along. I played leads at the National Theatre and all things. The Gold Blend ad gave me a profile which meant that when I wanted to travel to Hollywood, it just gave me a foot in the door - I was a recognizable face.”

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"I have a very open mind. I believe that there's a spirit world. I believe that there's a lot of stuff out there that we don't know about, don't want to understand, and sometimes we don't want to understand it."

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"There is a warmth and generosity about Giles. If I met him in person I think that is what I would be attracted to. In terms of what I enjoy about playing him - the social ineptitude, and the intellect is great fun too as I don't have one! "

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“To me that's the best part of the show and the best part of the business. Occasionally you are blessed with the chance to do something that people are so taken with they hold it dear.”

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External Links

The Official Anthony Head Site

Anthony Head at IMDB