diff --git a/esphome/core/base_automation.h b/esphome/core/base_automation.h
index b809c56f1a..f0b3898278 100644
--- a/esphome/core/base_automation.h
+++ b/esphome/core/base_automation.h
@@ -217,13 +217,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class LambdaAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   explicit LambdaAction(std::function<void(Ts...)> &&f) : f_(std::move(f)) {}
 
-  // Override play_complex to call play() non-virtually (qualified call),
-  // eliminating one virtual dispatch frame from the call stack.
-  void play_complex(const Ts &...x) override {
-    this->num_running_++;
-    LambdaAction::play(x...);
-    this->play_next_(x...);
-  }
   void play(const Ts &...x) override { this->f_(x...); }
 
  protected:
@@ -257,13 +250,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ContinuationAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   explicit ContinuationAction(Action<Ts...> *parent) : parent_(parent) {}
 
-  // Override play_complex to call play() non-virtually (qualified call),
-  // eliminating one virtual dispatch frame from the call stack.
-  void play_complex(const Ts &...x) override {
-    this->num_running_++;
-    ContinuationAction::play(x...);
-    this->play_next_(x...);
-  }
   void play(const Ts &...x) override { this->parent_->play_next_(x...); }
 
  protected: