A new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery chronicles the career of Anthony Head, the British actor known for his roles in the Nescafe Gold Blend adverts and the television series Ted Lasso. The exhibition, titled "Anthony Head: A Life in Pictures", features a curated selection of photographs from his private and professional life, drawn from the gallery’s archives and private collections.
Head, who rose to fame in the 1990s for his portrayal of the suave coffee-drinking bachelor in the Nescafe campaign, has remained a fixture of British film and television. His later role as Rupert Mannion, the deceitful chairman of AFC Richmond in Ted Lasso, introduced him to a new global audience. The exhibition, which opens on 15 March, aims to capture the breadth of his career, from early stage work to international acclaim.
Sarah Brown, the gallery’s senior curator of photography, said the exhibition was intended to showcase Head’s versatility and enduring appeal. "Anthony Head’s career is a study in reinvention," she noted. "These photographs offer a window into the moments that defined his public persona, as well as the quieter, more private aspects of his life."
The exhibition includes images from Head’s early theatre performances in the 1980s, his breakthrough role in the BBC series G.B.H., and his later work in films such as The Queen’s Corgi. A particular highlight is a 1996 portrait by Jane Bown, which captured Head at the height of his Nescafe fame. The gallery has also secured a series of unpublished photographs taken by Head’s son, the photographer Tom Head, documenting the actor’s life on the set of Ted Lasso.
Critics have noted the exhibition’s timing, coming at a moment when Head’s career has experienced a resurgence. The success of Ted Lasso, which concluded its third season last year, has led to renewed interest in his earlier work. The exhibition coincides with the release of a new memoir by Head, which further details his journey from coffee commercials to Emmy-nominated television.
The National Portrait Gallery has organised the exhibition as part of its ongoing series celebrating British cultural figures. It runs until 30 September. Tickets are priced at £18 for adults, with concessions available.
