Ted Lasso honours Anthony Head with tribute card in penultimate season 4 episode

Ted Lasso has paid tribute to Anthony Head, closing the penultimate episode of its fourth season with a memorial title card for the late actor. The episode, “Mae Rides the Bus”, wrapped on Wednesday, 30 September with a card reading “In Memory of Anthony Head”, according to People.

Head played former AFC Richmond owner Rupert Mannion across the comedy’s first three seasons, appearing in 18 episodes. His final appearance on the show came in the third season’s “So Long, Farewell”, which dropped in May 2023. He did not appear in season 4, which was filmed before his death.

Head died on 5 June 2026 at the age of 72. His daughters, Emily and Daisy Head, confirmed in a statement to the Press Association that he died of complications due to pneumonia.

Annette Badland, who plays The Crown & Anchor pub owner Mae Green, told Deadline that Head was a “beautiful man” who “will be much missed”. The episode also marks the in-universe death of her character, who collapses in the stands at an away match.

Head’s final acting credits were Ted Lasso season 3 and the 2024 Prime Video film Upgraded.

Sources

• People: “Ted Lasso Pays Tribute to Anthony Head After His Death at 72” — https://people.com/ted-lasso-pays-tribute-anthony-head-12149080
• Decider: “Who Was Anthony Head On ‘Ted Lasso’? Season 4 Episode 9 Tribute Card Explained” — https://decider.com/2026/09/29/anthony-head-ted-lasso-season-4-episode-9-tribute-card-rupert-manion/
• Ready Steady Cut: “‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4: Anthony Head Tribute Explained” — https://readysteadycut.com/2026/09/30/ted-lasso-season-4-anthony-head-tribute/