Fans of “Ted Lasso” are mourning the loss of Anthony Head, the talented British actor best known in the Apple TV series as Rupert Mannion — the wealthy, often antagonistic former owner of AFC Richmond whose complex presence added depth, drama, and plenty of tension to the beloved comedy.
Head died peacefully at the age of 72 from complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family. His daughters, Emily and Daisy Head, shared in a statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father… It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many.”
In “Ted Lasso,” Head portrayed Rupert Mannion across all three seasons (starting as a recurring guest and becoming a series regular in the third season). As Rebecca’s ex-husband and a shrewd businessman, Rupert served as one of the show’s primary foils — charming on the surface but often driven by ego, rivalry, and a willingness to stir the pot at the club. His arc provided some of the series’ most memorable confrontations and highlighted themes of power, redemption (or the lack thereof), and personal growth. Head’s nuanced performance earned praise, contributing to the ensemble’s Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in the final season.
Warning: NSFW (language), depending on where you work:
While many remember Head most fondly as the bookish, protective Rupert Giles from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” — a role that brought him international fame in the late ’90s — his work in “Ted Lasso” showcased his versatility. He brought gravitas, wit, and menace to a character that fans loved to hate, proving once again why he was a staple of British and international television. Other notable credits include Merlin (as King Uther Pendragon), Little Britain, and films like The Iron Lady.
MacDailyNews Take: In “Ted Lasso,” a show about kindness, belief, and football, Rupert Mannion represented the complications of human nature — and Head played him brilliantly. Rest in peace, Anthony Head. Thank you for the layers you brought to Richmond FC and for all the memorable performances over the decades.
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TOO YOUNG!
Anthony was brilliant as the brains and scholar of lore on Buffy. As much as I loved Sarah’s pitch-perfect performance, it’s hard to imagine the truly delightful series snagging my attention without Head’s embodiment of Rupert Giles.
The series had the unenviable task of threading the tones of satire and comedy while also making the vampires and demons real and the action fun. They never “played at” the roles. They became them without disdain, or even a wink at the 4th wall. It was absolutely unique for its time, and Josh Wheedon deserves plenty of acclaim as well.
But then Ted Lasso rolls in and Anthony is the vampire, the bad guy, Rupert Mannion. He’s brilliant because he’s so loathesome. He’s also surprisingly complex. Rupert is a character we’re certain is an arsehole (or “Wanker,” as the crowd finally shouts at him), but he’s never two-dimensional. In a series full of wankers, Rupert is the only one never redeemed by the end of the latter season. Apparently, Anthony loved that about the narcissistic Rupert and his part in bringing that person to life.
So sad to hear he died of pneumonia. It’s a terrible disease…
The cast of Buffy has had a tragic list of losses the past 16 months, with Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris) passing away at age 54 in March 2026 from cardiovascular disease, and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), at age 39 in February 2025, from complications of diabetes.
We’ll miss you all.