‘Ted Lasso’ cast honors co-star Anthony Head after his sudden death
The “Ted Lasso” cast is paying tribute to Anthony Head after the beloved actor’s sudden death at age 72.
Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent on the Apple TV series, shared a photo of Head to his Instagram Stories and called his co-star “a brilliant actor who played the worst person in the world.”
Goldstein called that “an incredible skill” because Head was “the best person.”
“Infinitely charming and kind and fun and a joy,” he added of his dearly departed castmate. “He will be sorely missed. Love to his family ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Head played Rupert Mannion, the vengeful and unfaithful ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s Rebecca Welton, across the first three seasons of “Ted Lasso.”
His character was the previous owner of the fictional English soccer team AFC Richmond, which Welton took over after their divorce. He later owned a rival — and non-fictitious — team, West Ham United.
Keeley Hazell, who played Rupert’s girlfriend and eventual third wife, also shared a touching tribute to the late actor via her Instagram Stories Friday.
She posted side-by-side photos of herself and Head smiling next to each other while on the set of the U.K. based comedy series.
“My onscreen husband. What an honor it was to work alongside you. My thoughts are with your family and your daughters, who you loved so much,” Hazell wrote alongside the heartbreaking memories.
Jeremy Swift, who plays Leslie Higgins, the director of operations for AFC Richmond, also penned a brief message honoring Head. In an Instagram post shared Friday, he wrote, “Goodbye Tony, we adored you, Rest in Peace my friend,” next to a selfie of the stars.
Head died “peacefully” on Friday of “complications due to pneumonia,” his daughters, Emily and Daisy, wrote in a statement. His passing comes just months after his longtime partner, Sarah Fisher, shockingly died on Jan. 1 at age 61.
The British actor, who was also famously known for his portrayal of Rupert Giles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” received an outpour of heartfelt memorials from his “Buffy” co-stars, led by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
“Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m ok,” Gellar said, repeating a quote from the Season 5 finale. “Well I don’t have it figured out and I’m not ok.”
“But I know I’m the lucky one because I knew you,” she continued. “Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world.”
