The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Anthony Head, the veteran actor whose career spanned decades and included memorable roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Ted Lasso.”

Per the New York Post, Head died at age 72 from complications related to pneumonia, according to a statement released Friday by his daughters, Emily and Daisy Head.

“He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family,” they said.

The sisters reflected on the impact their father had on audiences and colleagues throughout a career that stretched across several generations of television and film.

“We know how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues, and fans of the shows he was in,” the pair wrote. “He loved his job very much, and he always considered himself incredibly lucky, to have been able to work alongside such exceptionally talented people, in such wonderful productions, across a career that spanned several decades.”

Promotional portrait of the cast for the television series, ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer,’ c. 1997. L-R: Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Head, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charisma Carpenter and Alyson Hannigan. (Photo by Fotos International/Courtesy of Getty Images)

Head’s death comes amid renewed attention on pneumonia, a serious lung infection that affects millions of Americans each year and remains a leading cause of hospitalization.

The illness occurs when air sacs in the lungs become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus, making breathing difficult and potentially leading to severe complications.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 20: Cast member Anthony Head attends the press night performance of “Love in Idleness” at the Menier Chocolate Factory on March 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or, less commonly, fungi. 

Health experts note that older adults are among those most vulnerable to serious illness, with infection rates and complications increasing significantly with age.

Recent months have seen several high-profile deaths linked to pneumonia or related complications, drawing additional attention to the disease and its risks.

Vaccination, maintaining overall health, avoiding smoking, and seeking prompt medical treatment for respiratory illnesses are among the measures experts recommend to reduce the risk of severe pneumonia.

For many fans, however, the focus remains on Head’s legacy. From his work as Rupert Giles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to his later role in “Ted Lasso,” the actor built a career that earned him admiration from audiences around the world.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JULY 13: Actor Anthony Head speaks for the BBC portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 13, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

His family’s statement emphasized the gratitude he felt throughout that journey and the passion he carried for his work until the end.

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