English actor and musician Anthony Stewart Head was born on February 20, 1954 in London, England. Born to a family of performers and artists, he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He began his career on stage, making his professional debut in a production of the musical Godspell. This led to roles in several British productions, one of the earliest being a supporting role in the drama series Enemy at the Door in 1978. He gained more recognition as the star in a series of twelve television commercials promoting Nescaf? Gold Blend, which was later adapted to American audiences. During this time, he dabbled in a musical career, singing with the British pop group Red Box.
Head’s success in Britain led to some roles in American television, eventually getting a regular role in the short-lived science fiction series VR.5. This ultimately led him to sign up for a role in the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He joined from the premiere in 1997 as Giles, a Watcher who travels to Sunnydale and meets Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), later training her and being an authority figure to her and the rest of the Scooby Gang. During the time, he stayed in the United States full-time, and stayed after leaving as a regular in the middle of the fifth season.
Head then returned to the United Kingdom and appeared in several projects. He appeared in the 2002 British drama Manchild, and later appeared in the acclaimed comedy Little Britain, appearing in sketches featuring gay political aide Sebastian Love (David Walliams) as the Prime Minister. He also guest starred in episodes of Monarch of the Glen, Doctor Who and Hotel Babylon, all British productions. His most recent roles include British dramas The Invisibles and Sold, and a role in the modern adaptation to Merlin, which is co-produced by the BBC and NBC.
"I think Giles likes Buffy, but she annoys him. The mere fact that she doesn't want the job that he's offering her -- she frustrates him. She represents everything he doesn't understand. Ultimately he becomes extremely fond of her. People have said, What is it? A father/daughter relationship? And it's not quite. There's nothing like it on TV. It's difficult to pigeonhole. He becomes extremely fond of her and gets into all sorts of terrible trouble because of it. ... Xander is complete anathema to him. A great annoyance because he never seems to take anything seriously. Cordelia is ... Who knows where she's coming from? Willow he respects greatly, but it's all a confusion to him. He's never really sure of anybody or anything. The only thing he is sure about is what he's supposed to do."
