Head was born in Camden Town, London. His father was Seafield Head, the founder of Verity Films, and his mother was the actress Helen Shingler. His older brother is actor and singer Murray Head. Both brothers played the part of Freddy Trumper in the musical Chess at the Prince Edward Theatre, London, with Murray a part of the original cast in 1986, whilst Anthony was in the final cast in 1989.
Head was educated at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). His first role was in the musical Godspell; this led to roles in television on both BBC and ITV, one of his earliest being an appearance in the series Enemy at the Door (ITV, 1978–1980). In the early 1980s he sang with the band Red Box[1].
In the late 1980s, he appeared in a storyline series of twelve coffee commercials with Sharon Maughan for Nescafé Gold Blend (re-edited to include brand name Taster's Choice in the US). The soap opera nature of the commercials brought him wider recognition, along with a part in the Children's ITV comedy drama Woof!.
Success on the stage and a number of brief appearances on American television, such as in the short-lived VR-5, led to accepting the role of Rupert Giles in Buffy in 1997. For this role he lived full-time in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s, although his family continued to live in the UK. Head left the regular cast of Buffy during the show's sixth season and subsequently appeared several times as a guest star. In many interviews at the time, Head said he left the show in order to spend more time with his family, having realised that he had spent most of the year outside England, which added up to more than half his youngest daughter's life. He now lives in Bath, England with Sarah Fisher. They have two children, Emily Rose, 17, and Daisy, 15.
In 2002, he co-starred in the BBC Two television series Manchild, which concerned four fifty-something men who spend all of their time talking about sex. He also appeared in guest roles in various other dramas, such as Silent Witness, Murder Investigation Team, and Spooks. He appeared in the 4th series of the British hit sitcom My Family in 2003 playing one of the main characters (Abi's) father in the episode 'May the Best Man Win'. He was featured as the Prime Minister in the popular BBC comedy sketch show Little Britain from 2003 to 2005, and guest starred in several episodes of the 2004 series of popular drama Monarch of the Glen.
After (and while) starring as Rupert Giles in the phenomonally popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anthony Stewart Head finally got the the chance to make the CD (Music for Elevators) he had been wanting to make for some time. Teaming up with musician George Sarah, the cd is different than the music he performed on the show, but this mix of electronica and experimental is none the less an amazing feat of talent.
With him, Anthony Stewart Head brings many co-Buffy alums, including Joss Whedon on lyrics and music, Amber Benson and James Marsters singing (and speaking), as well as Alyson Hannigan as a voice sample.
Hey Anthony,
How are you? Thanks heaps for the add :) Hope all is well. Hope you drop me a line sometime, Would love to hear from you real soon.
Take Care
Michelle T xxxxxx
