From Ted Lasso to Timeless Creativity: The Evolution of
Stephen Manas
Stephen Manas is a multifaceted talent whose artistry and drive continue to leave a lasting impression across the entertainment world. Best known for his role as the charismatic French footballer Richard Montlaur in the Emmy Award-winning series Ted Lasso, Stephen has captivated audiences with his authentic performances and international flair. But his creative reach extends far beyond the screen.
In addition to acting, Stephen is a passionate music composer and author, constantly exploring new ways to tell meaningful stories. A deep commitment to personal growth and wellness matches his love for creativity. Recently, he added another dimension to his journey by earning his EMS (Electromagnetic Stimulation) certification as a training coach, blending fitness and innovation to reflect his forward-thinking mindset.
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In this exclusive interview with The Eden Magazine, Stephen shares insight into his artistic path, the impact of global storytelling, and how his diverse passions—from performance to physical training—help shape a life rooted in purpose, balance, and authenticity.
What initially drew you to acting, and how did your role as Richard Montlaur in Ted Lasso challenge or shape you as an actor?
I first got into acting by responding to a basic casting call in my hometown. They were looking for Extras, and I was lucky to get picked when I was only 16. That small extra role turned into something bigger, and I stayed on set for two weeks. The film was quite successful in France, and that experience made me fall in love with the world of cinema, seeing how everything comes together before and after shooting and being part of that creative energy.
As for playing Richard Montlaur, I was incredibly lucky. Those who know me well often say that I didn’t have to “play” the character much—they simply took Stephen Manas and put him into the role. On Ted Lasso, most of the time, the direction I got was just, “These are your lines, Stephen. Just be yourself.” My natural personality already fit the slightly over-the-top, cliché vibe they were going for, so it worked well with the script.
Sometimes, you don’t have to act to act!
You are not only an actor but also a music composer and author. How do these different creative outlets complement each other in your life?
Music has been a part of my life long before acting, and I’ve always loved it. I feel incredibly blessed that today, we can compose masterpieces using just a piano and a computer—something that was much more complicated only 20 years ago.
Composing isn’t always easy, especially since I love traveling. Unlike a guitar or a harmonica, a piano isn’t exactly easy to carry around! And since I create epic orchestral music rather than electronic, I need specific tools and instruments that aren’t the most travel friendly.
Maybe I should’ve just stuck to the harmonica—aha!
They are both creative tools that I like to practice. They make me happy.
What inspires your music as a composer, and do you have a particular process for turning ideas into melodies?
I create epic/orchestral music and wouldn’t call myself Mozart! I draw inspiration from various composers I admire. When I’m working on a piece, I immerse myself completely. I listen to those composers for 6/7 hours a day, sometimes for three, four, or even five days straight. Occasionally, it takes a full week of this deep listening.
At some point, the music starts creating itself in my head. I’m unsure how. It might be a mix of influences or my brain fully entering a creative mode. By constantly surrounding myself with the kind of music I want to compose, melodies naturally begin to take shape.
It’s interesting because if I take a long break from music, I can’t just sit at the piano and create something instantly. It takes a few days to get back into that creative state. That’s just how my process works.
Tell us about your book, Pathless, and what inspired you to write it?
The story behind my book is quite simple—it all started because someone encouraged me to give it a try. I met my publisher by chance, and during our conversation, I shared all my projects. At the time, I truly believed I had no writing skills whatsoever.
I started with the book, then moved on to a feature film, a series, and another feature. And somehow, I just kept going. I had no formal training, no background in writing, and honestly, my grammar isn’t the best. But I thought, why not? What did I have to lose besides time? The worst-case scenario? It turns out to be terrible, and we forget about it.
But in the end, it didn’t turn out so bad! And that’s precisely the message I share in Pathless—just do it.
Pathless by Stephen Manas is available on Amazon, Kindle, and as an audiobook for those interested.
Are there any underlying messages you hope readers take away
Of course, there are many, but I won’t give them away that easily! Readers will have to be more invested and dive into the book themselves.
How do you balance your acting career with your work as a music composer and writer? Do you find that one fuels your creativity in the others?
Honestly, it’s not that complicated. I find the time. I mean, I’m not Brad Pitt or anything! Some days, I’m on set; some days, I am writing; some days, I’m composing; and sometimes, I’m just relaxing. Maybe one day it’ll become a real challenge, but for now, I manage my time well. I still have time to travel, hit the gym, and enjoy life. So far, so good!
Ted Lasso has such a positive and uplifting spirit globally. How has being part of this beloved show impacted your personal or professional outlook?
Ted Lasso had an incredible impact on my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today, both physically and mentally, if it weren’t for that show. It lifted some struggles but also uncovered others, shaping me as a person along the way. This journey has been a meaningful and transformative one, and I’m genuinely grateful for it. While it hasn’t always been easy, the experience was overwhelmingly positive, filled with joy, knowledge, and personal growth, which is the most important part to me.
What upcoming projects or dreams do you hope to pursue in acting, music, or writing?
Many projects are in the works, but I love the element of surprise for both the audience and me. It’s no secret that bringing a project to life is not just hard; it’s ultimately one of the toughest challenges. Every step from development to production to distribution is a learning process, and I’m still mastering it. But I’m working relentlessly on multiple projects right now, pushing to make them a reality, and I will do everything I can to see them come to life.
How has your upbringing in France shaped your artistic journey, and what personal experiences have impacted your work?
More than the country itself, it’s about the locations and environments that shape us. Growing up in the mountains, with parents who had very different styles of education, gave me a unique perspective. I was fortunate to have access to sports, a solid education, music, and excellent scholarship opportunities, all playing a big role in shaping who I am.
Of course, every country has its own culture. I feel the differences most when it comes to food in the United States or France’s wine and champagne culture. But ultimately, growing up to be a good human being is universal; being French, or from anywhere else, shouldn’t change that.
As I’ve shared in my book, spending almost two years in India profoundly shaped me. Experiencing life there took me on a completely different journey than the one I would have had if I had stayed in Europe or the U.S. It changed me for the better, without a doubt.
Where is the place you call home, and where do you feel most at home and most like yourself?
The more I travel, the more I realize I feel at home in many places. Of course, I come from the mountains — La Haute-Savoie in France — and that will always be a part of me. It’s cold, it’s beautiful, it’s where I grew up, even if I’m not a huge fan of the chill.
But for me, “home” is more of a feeling than a physical place. I feel at home while walking through a quiet garden in Tokyo. I think it when I’m overlooking the hills of Los Angeles. I feel it on the beaches of Barcelona, or in a small peaceful village in the South of France.
So, home isn’t one specific place for me. It’s wherever I feel at peace, inspired, or just genuinely happy. And that can be in many places around the world.
Your book Pathless mentions that your psychologist told you to be proud. But you must be proud of many accomplishments thus far in your career. What are you most proud of in the book? What are you most proud of professionally? What are you most proud of personally?
Well, why “surely”? That is interesting.
I’ve often struggled with impostor syndrome. That quiet voice that questions whether I have the right to be an author, to aim high in this industry, or to believe I can succeed. Whether or not it’s justified, those doubts have followed me at different stages.
I’ve reached a point where I want to be proud of what I create. Writing and finishing my book was a real challenge, and I’m proud to have followed through. I said I’d do it, and I did. That’s a milestone I won’t overlook, and I hope the first of many.
Of course, in some circles, showing pride in your work can be misread as arrogance. That’s another thing I’m learning: to distance myself from that kind of energy and instead allow myself space to grow, create, and celebrate progress without guilt.
What am I most proud of in the book? That I survived writing it! But seriously, for those who do not know, the book is mostly about my journey as an artist. A period when I left France with absolutely nothing and invited myself to live abroad for nearly two years. I spent most of that time in Asia, especially India, which was the most affordable place I could go.
It’s a mix of personal stories, experiences, culture shock, and inner transformation. To write it, I had to go deep into my memory, revisiting old notebooks, photos, and messages from that time. That process was emotional, but also beautiful. I tried to make it both funny and heartfelt. Something that encourages people to go have their own adventures.
What makes me happiest is that I’ve already received messages from readers who told me the book inspired them to travel alone, explore, and step outside their comfort zones. That was exactly the goal. And knowing it’s having that effect. That’s what I’m genuinely proud of.
You have travelled extensively around the globe and lived in different places. What has travel taught you and how has it enriched your work?
Travel teaches you open-mindedness in a way nothing else can — not school, not books, not even movies. It’s something you must experience firsthand. You need to be thrown into a place where you don’t know what to do, what to eat, or how to behave. And in those moments, your only real tool is a smile and the courage to ask kindly for help, even when you don’t speak the local language.
You might feel like you’re in control at home or in your own neighborhood. But when you’re alone in a foreign country, where you don’t speak the language and no one looks like you, your phone is dead, and you don’t have access to money, real openness begins. You realize that a warm smile or a respectful gesture can open doors you never expected. That strangers can become unforgettable moments in your story.
These are the gifts that no money can buy, no book can teach and can only be offered, not taken.
This kind of experience inevitably transforms you as a person, and naturally, your work evolves alongside that growth. As you change, so does your creative expression. It becomes deeper, more honest, more connected to the world around you.
Growing up, were you a Football player? Did you follow a specific team? Were you an athlete?
Not really. Sports haven’t been the core of my life. I played football for maybe two or three years, nothing major. I was more into handball when it came to team sports.
When I was younger, I followed Olympique Lyonnais. Mostly because I lived nearby, and they were on fire at the time. Juninho, what a legend! (If you don’t know him, do yourself a favor and look him up on YouTube!)
Now that I have lived in Paris, I follow PSG a bit more, and of course, I’ve always been a fan of our French national team, which is not doing too badly these days either!
As for me personally, I’m a black belt in Judo, I’ve skied for many years (my mom was an instructor), did some track and field, handball, like I mentioned, and about four years of breakdancing and gymnastics. That’s the full list, with a lot of music, of course!
Do you have a fitness regime and follow a special diet?
Lots of sports and enjoying a healthy diet.
What is the best part of being an artist?
That’s an intriguing question! It’s important to steer clear of the monotony that can come with certain jobs. While it’s challenging not to have the stability of traditional employment, we only live once. It is fascinating that work allows creativity and collaboration on projects with diverse groups of people, sometimes even travelling. Like any journey, life has its ups and downs, and as an artist, downs can go very low, and the ups can be very high. That is what I need to fuel my life.
Have you ever been compared to the legend Alain Delon?
Since I was 18, I’ve often been compared to him since my first acting experience. People say there’s a resemblance, though I don’t see it much. Those who personally knew him have mentioned to me there’s something there, which, of course, is a lovely compliment in terms of appearance! Career-wise, there’s not much comparison (yet).
I had the chance to meet him in Cannes in 2019 when he was the guest of honor. He is truly a legend in our industry, and I feel blessed I had the chance to shake his hand and cross his regard. May he rest in peace.
Season four of Ted Lasso will feature a women’s soccer team. What advice would you give to the new cast that will be joining the show?
Yes, I guess that’s the plan
I would advise you to trust the production team, as they are the same talented group I have worked with. Trust in the production, trust in Jason, and trust everyone involved.
Always do your best and have fun. It will turn out better than perfect.
Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?
Where do I see myself, or where do I want to be? That’s a great question! The answer is something I’m working towards, and it’s still tucked away in a folder on my desktop.
I’m not ready to share it publicly because I don’t want to look foolish in five years.
Just know that I’m truly giving my all every single day. Working over 10 hours a day, writing, learning, working, doing sports, practicing, editing, mounting projects, and playing music non-stop.
I refuse to let my ambitions be too high without doing my absolute best to achieve them.
I cannot forgive myself if I don’t try my hardest.
So, in five years, I see myself reaching the maximum of what I can achieve.
Special thanks to:
Stephen Manas
Photographer : Thierry Brouard @premium_paris
Okasana Wagner @oxiarta
Gilad Ssporta @giladsasports
Book publisher: actiontakers.com
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