diff --git a/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h b/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
index d68dac3b61..8a72765195 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class HomeAssistantServiceCallAction : public Action<Ts
   template<typename T> void add_variable(std::string key, T value) {
     this->variables_.push_back(TemplatableKeyValuePair<Ts...>(key, value));
   }
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
     resp.service = this->service_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/binary_sensor/automation.h b/esphome/components/binary_sensor/automation.h
index e9ff37446d..6b0321628c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/binary_sensor/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/binary_sensor/automation.h
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class BinarySensorPublishAction : public Action<Ts...>
  public:
   explicit BinarySensorPublishAction(BinarySensor *sensor) : sensor_(sensor) {}
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(bool, state)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto val = this->state_.value(x...);
     this->sensor_->publish_state(val);
diff --git a/esphome/components/cover/automation.h b/esphome/components/cover/automation.h
index a8eb0cdf99..0092f987f2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/cover/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/cover/automation.h
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ControlAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   explicit ControlAction(Cover *cover) : cover_(cover) {}
 
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(bool, stop)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, position)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, tilt)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto call = this->cover_->make_call();
     if (this->stop_.has_value())
@@ -52,10 +56,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ControlAction : public Action<Ts...> {
     call.perform();
   }
 
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(bool, stop)
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, position)
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, tilt)
-
  protected:
   Cover *cover_;
 };
@@ -63,6 +63,10 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ControlAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 template<typename... Ts> class CoverPublishAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   CoverPublishAction(Cover *cover) : cover_(cover) {}
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, position)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, tilt)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(CoverOperation, current_operation)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     if (this->position_.has_value())
       this->cover_->position = this->position_.value(x...);
@@ -73,10 +77,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class CoverPublishAction : public Action<Ts...> {
     this->cover_->publish_state();
   }
 
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, position)
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, tilt)
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(CoverOperation, current_operation)
-
  protected:
   Cover *cover_;
 };
diff --git a/esphome/components/dfplayer/dfplayer.h b/esphome/components/dfplayer/dfplayer.h
index 22ca11c3be..cb9686bb64 100644
--- a/esphome/components/dfplayer/dfplayer.h
+++ b/esphome/components/dfplayer/dfplayer.h
@@ -104,7 +104,6 @@ class DFPlayer : public uart::UARTDevice, public Component {
 
 #define DFPLAYER_SIMPLE_ACTION(ACTION_CLASS, ACTION_METHOD) \
   template<typename... Ts> class ACTION_CLASS : public Action<Ts...>, public Parented<DFPlayer> { \
-   public: \
     void play(Ts... x) override { this->parent_->ACTION_METHOD(); } \
   };
 
@@ -115,6 +114,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class PlayFileAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Par
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, file)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(boolean, loop)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto file = this->file_.value(x...);
     auto loop = this->loop_.value(x...);
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class PlayFolderAction : public Action<Ts...>, public P
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, folder)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, file)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(boolean, loop)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto folder = this->folder_.value(x...);
     auto file = this->file_.value(x...);
@@ -146,6 +147,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class PlayFolderAction : public Action<Ts...>, public P
 template<typename... Ts> class SetDeviceAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Parented<DFPlayer> {
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(Device, device)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto device = this->device_.value(x...);
     this->parent_->set_device(device);
@@ -155,6 +157,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SetDeviceAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Pa
 template<typename... Ts> class SetVolumeAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Parented<DFPlayer> {
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint8_t, volume)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto volume = this->volume_.value(x...);
     this->parent_->set_volume(volume);
@@ -164,6 +167,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SetVolumeAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Pa
 template<typename... Ts> class SetEqAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Parented<DFPlayer> {
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(EqPreset, eq)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto eq = this->eq_.value(x...);
     this->parent_->set_eq(eq);
diff --git a/esphome/components/display/display_buffer.h b/esphome/components/display/display_buffer.h
index b12fad8c8a..85871df16e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/display/display_buffer.h
+++ b/esphome/components/display/display_buffer.h
@@ -391,6 +391,7 @@ class Image {
 template<typename... Ts> class DisplayPageShowAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(DisplayPage *, page)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto *page = this->page_.value(x...);
     if (page != nullptr) {
@@ -402,18 +403,18 @@ template<typename... Ts> class DisplayPageShowAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 template<typename... Ts> class DisplayPageShowNextAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   DisplayPageShowNextAction(DisplayBuffer *buffer) : buffer_(buffer) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->buffer_->show_next_page(); }
 
- protected:
   DisplayBuffer *buffer_;
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class DisplayPageShowPrevAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   DisplayPageShowPrevAction(DisplayBuffer *buffer) : buffer_(buffer) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->buffer_->show_prev_page(); }
 
- protected:
   DisplayBuffer *buffer_;
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp8266_pwm/esp8266_pwm.h b/esphome/components/esp8266_pwm/esp8266_pwm.h
index b6839985b0..51b74f48ba 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp8266_pwm/esp8266_pwm.h
+++ b/esphome/components/esp8266_pwm/esp8266_pwm.h
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SetFrequencyAction : public Action<Ts...> {
     this->parent_->update_frequency(freq);
   }
 
- protected:
   ESP8266PWM *parent_;
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/fan/automation.h b/esphome/components/fan/automation.h
index dfa72a3ea6..d96ed994e8 100644
--- a/esphome/components/fan/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/fan/automation.h
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class TurnOnAction : public Action<Ts...> {
     call.perform();
   }
 
- protected:
   FanState *state_;
 };
 
@@ -35,7 +34,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class TurnOffAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->state_->turn_off().perform(); }
 
- protected:
   FanState *state_;
 };
 
@@ -45,7 +43,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ToggleAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->state_->toggle().perform(); }
 
- protected:
   FanState *state_;
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/mhz19/mhz19.h b/esphome/components/mhz19/mhz19.h
index 2201fc87f0..151351be4c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mhz19/mhz19.h
+++ b/esphome/components/mhz19/mhz19.h
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class MHZ19Component : public PollingComponent, public uart::UARTDevice {
 template<typename... Ts> class MHZ19CalibrateZeroAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   MHZ19CalibrateZeroAction(MHZ19Component *mhz19) : mhz19_(mhz19) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->mhz19_->calibrate_zero(); }
 
  protected:
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class MHZ19CalibrateZeroAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 template<typename... Ts> class MHZ19ABCEnableAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   MHZ19ABCEnableAction(MHZ19Component *mhz19) : mhz19_(mhz19) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->mhz19_->abc_enable(); }
 
  protected:
@@ -55,6 +57,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class MHZ19ABCEnableAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 template<typename... Ts> class MHZ19ABCDisableAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   MHZ19ABCDisableAction(MHZ19Component *mhz19) : mhz19_(mhz19) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->mhz19_->abc_disable(); }
 
  protected:
diff --git a/esphome/components/mqtt/mqtt_client.h b/esphome/components/mqtt/mqtt_client.h
index 6f14b0c92c..2bbebff845 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mqtt/mqtt_client.h
+++ b/esphome/components/mqtt/mqtt_client.h
@@ -316,6 +316,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class MQTTPublishJsonAction : public Action<Ts...> {
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(bool, retain)
 
   void set_payload(std::function<void(Ts..., JsonObject &)> payload) { this->payload_ = payload; }
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto f = std::bind(&MQTTPublishJsonAction<Ts...>::encode_, this, x..., std::placeholders::_1);
     auto topic = this->topic_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/output/automation.h b/esphome/components/output/automation.h
index 8c8a5ab61b..51c2849702 100644
--- a/esphome/components/output/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/output/automation.h
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SetLevelAction : public Action<Ts...> {
   SetLevelAction(FloatOutput *output) : output_(output) {}
 
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, level)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->output_->set_level(this->level_.value(x...)); }
 
  protected:
diff --git a/esphome/components/pid/pid_climate.h b/esphome/components/pid/pid_climate.h
index 8f379c47b4..3dae92af5f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/pid/pid_climate.h
+++ b/esphome/components/pid/pid_climate.h
@@ -71,6 +71,10 @@ template<typename... Ts> class PIDAutotuneAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   PIDAutotuneAction(PIDClimate *parent) : parent_(parent) {}
 
+  void set_noiseband(float noiseband) { noiseband_ = noiseband; }
+  void set_positive_output(float positive_output) { positive_output_ = positive_output; }
+  void set_negative_output(float negative_output) { negative_output_ = negative_output; }
+
   void play(Ts... x) {
     auto tuner = make_unique<PIDAutotuner>();
     tuner->set_noiseband(this->noiseband_);
@@ -79,10 +83,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class PIDAutotuneAction : public Action<Ts...> {
     this->parent_->start_autotune(std::move(tuner));
   }
 
-  void set_noiseband(float noiseband) { noiseband_ = noiseband; }
-  void set_positive_output(float positive_output) { positive_output_ = positive_output; }
-  void set_negative_output(float negative_output) { negative_output_ = negative_output; }
-
  protected:
   float noiseband_;
   float positive_output_;
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/jvc_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/jvc_protocol.h
index 8a216f5348..fc40a6a874 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/jvc_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/jvc_protocol.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ DECLARE_REMOTE_PROTOCOL(JVC)
 template<typename... Ts> class JVCAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionBase<Ts...> {
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, data)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     JVCData data{};
     data.data = this->data_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/lg_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/lg_protocol.h
index b810115f58..6267560443 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/lg_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/lg_protocol.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class LGAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionBase<Ts.
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, data)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint8_t, nbits)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     LGData data{};
     data.data = this->data_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/nec_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/nec_protocol.h
index c794991eab..593a3efe17 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/nec_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/nec_protocol.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class NECAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionBase<Ts
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, address)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, command)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     NECData data{};
     data.address = this->address_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/panasonic_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/panasonic_protocol.h
index b13bd3e92d..eae97a8a14 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/panasonic_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/panasonic_protocol.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class PanasonicAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionB
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, address)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, command)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     PanasonicData data{};
     data.address = this->address_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/pioneer_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/pioneer_protocol.h
index f93e51a033..4cac4f9f32 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/pioneer_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/pioneer_protocol.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class PioneerAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionBas
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, rc_code_1)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint16_t, rc_code_2)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     PioneerData data{};
     data.rc_code_1 = this->rc_code_1_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/rc5_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/rc5_protocol.h
index 2e1da74d9f..589c8d42de 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/rc5_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/rc5_protocol.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class RC5Action : public RemoteTransmitterActionBase<Ts
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint8_t, address)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint8_t, command)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     RC5Data data{};
     data.address = this->address_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h
index 250b59e55e..916fe29c1f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h
@@ -323,6 +323,9 @@ template<typename... Ts> class RemoteTransmitterActionBase : public Action<Ts...
  public:
   void set_parent(RemoteTransmitterBase *parent) { this->parent_ = parent; }
 
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, send_times);
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, send_wait);
+
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     auto call = this->parent_->transmit();
     this->encode(call.get_data(), x...);
@@ -331,12 +334,9 @@ template<typename... Ts> class RemoteTransmitterActionBase : public Action<Ts...
     call.perform();
   }
 
+ protected:
   virtual void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) = 0;
 
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, send_times);
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, send_wait);
-
- protected:
   RemoteTransmitterBase *parent_{};
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/samsung_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/samsung_protocol.h
index 50ff02c1aa..f7a54788e5 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/samsung_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/samsung_protocol.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ DECLARE_REMOTE_PROTOCOL(Samsung)
 template<typename... Ts> class SamsungAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionBase<Ts...> {
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, data)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     SamsungData data{};
     data.data = this->data_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/sony_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/sony_protocol.h
index 9f0bcdf82f..aecc8ab91c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/sony_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/sony_protocol.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SonyAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionBase<T
  public:
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, data)
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint8_t, nbits)
+
   void encode(RemoteTransmitData *dst, Ts... x) override {
     SonyData data{};
     data.data = this->data_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/rotary_encoder/rotary_encoder.h b/esphome/components/rotary_encoder/rotary_encoder.h
index 4220645478..f0e47dfe0a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/rotary_encoder/rotary_encoder.h
+++ b/esphome/components/rotary_encoder/rotary_encoder.h
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class RotaryEncoderSetValueAction : public Action<Ts...
  public:
   RotaryEncoderSetValueAction(RotaryEncoderSensor *encoder) : encoder_(encoder) {}
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(int, value)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->encoder_->set_value(this->value_.value(x...)); }
 
  protected:
diff --git a/esphome/components/script/script.h b/esphome/components/script/script.h
index 3b97327da8..8495014f00 100644
--- a/esphome/components/script/script.h
+++ b/esphome/components/script/script.h
@@ -53,41 +53,34 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ScriptWaitAction : public Action<Ts...>, public C
  public:
   ScriptWaitAction(Script *script) : script_(script) {}
 
-  void play(Ts... x) { /* ignore - see play_complex */
-  }
-
   void play_complex(Ts... x) override {
+    this->num_running_++;
     // Check if we can continue immediately.
     if (!this->script_->is_running()) {
-      this->triggered_ = false;
-      this->play_next(x...);
+      this->play_next_(x...);
       return;
     }
     this->var_ = std::make_tuple(x...);
-    this->triggered_ = true;
     this->loop();
   }
 
-  void stop() override { this->triggered_ = false; }
-
   void loop() override {
-    if (!this->triggered_)
+    if (this->num_running_ == 0)
       return;
 
     if (this->script_->is_running())
       return;
 
-    this->triggered_ = false;
-    this->play_next_tuple(this->var_);
+    this->play_next_tuple_(this->var_);
   }
 
   float get_setup_priority() const override { return setup_priority::DATA; }
 
-  bool is_running() override { return this->triggered_ || this->is_running_next(); }
+  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
+  }
 
  protected:
   Script *script_;
-  bool triggered_{false};
   std::tuple<Ts...> var_{};
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h b/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h
index 079077dba0..c70fb93963 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SensorPublishAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   SensorPublishAction(Sensor *sensor) : sensor_(sensor) {}
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, state)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->sensor_->publish_state(this->state_.value(x...)); }
 
  protected:
diff --git a/esphome/components/servo/servo.h b/esphome/components/servo/servo.h
index a37188740c..b864efc877 100644
--- a/esphome/components/servo/servo.h
+++ b/esphome/components/servo/servo.h
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ServoWriteAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   ServoWriteAction(Servo *servo) : servo_(servo) {}
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, value)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->servo_->write(this->value_.value(x...)); }
 
  protected:
@@ -73,6 +74,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ServoWriteAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 template<typename... Ts> class ServoDetachAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   ServoDetachAction(Servo *servo) : servo_(servo) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->servo_->detach(); }
 
  protected:
diff --git a/esphome/components/switch/automation.h b/esphome/components/switch/automation.h
index 90bdabf0f4..579daf4d24 100644
--- a/esphome/components/switch/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/switch/automation.h
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SwitchPublishAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   SwitchPublishAction(Switch *a_switch) : switch_(a_switch) {}
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(bool, state)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->switch_->publish_state(this->state_.value(x...)); }
 
  protected:
diff --git a/esphome/components/text_sensor/automation.h b/esphome/components/text_sensor/automation.h
index 496efb1cc3..6810d10b13 100644
--- a/esphome/components/text_sensor/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/text_sensor/automation.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class TextSensorPublishAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   TextSensorPublishAction(TextSensor *sensor) : sensor_(sensor) {}
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(std::string, state)
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->sensor_->publish_state(this->state_.value(x...)); }
 
  protected:
diff --git a/esphome/core/automation.h b/esphome/core/automation.h
index cbe96a749e..02bd8bb299 100644
--- a/esphome/core/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/core/automation.h
@@ -75,45 +75,55 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ActionList;
 
 template<typename... Ts> class Action {
  public:
-  virtual void play(Ts... x) = 0;
   virtual void play_complex(Ts... x) {
+    this->num_running_++;
     this->play(x...);
-    this->play_next(x...);
+    this->play_next_(x...);
   }
-  void play_next(Ts... x) {
-    if (this->next_ != nullptr) {
-      this->next_->play_complex(x...);
+  virtual void stop_complex() {
+    if (num_running_) {
+      this->stop();
+      this->num_running_ = 0;
+    }
+    this->stop_next_();
+  }
+  virtual bool is_running() { return this->num_running_ > 0 || this->is_running_next_(); }
+
+ protected:
+  friend ActionList<Ts...>;
+
+  virtual void play(Ts... x) = 0;
+  void play_next_(Ts... x) {
+    if (this->num_running_ > 0) {
+      this->num_running_--;
+      if (this->next_ != nullptr) {
+        this->next_->play_complex(x...);
+      }
     }
   }
-  virtual void stop() {}
-  virtual void stop_complex() {
-    this->stop();
-    this->stop_next();
+  template<int... S> void play_next_tuple_(const std::tuple<Ts...> &tuple, seq<S...>) {
+    this->play_next_(std::get<S>(tuple)...);
   }
-  void stop_next() {
+  void play_next_tuple_(const std::tuple<Ts...> &tuple) {
+    this->play_next_tuple_(tuple, typename gens<sizeof...(Ts)>::type());
+  }
+
+  virtual void stop() {}
+  void stop_next_() {
     if (this->next_ != nullptr) {
       this->next_->stop_complex();
     }
   }
-  virtual bool is_running() { return this->is_running_next(); }
-  bool is_running_next() {
+
+  bool is_running_next_() {
     if (this->next_ == nullptr)
       return false;
     return this->next_->is_running();
   }
 
-  void play_next_tuple(const std::tuple<Ts...> &tuple) {
-    this->play_next_tuple_(tuple, typename gens<sizeof...(Ts)>::type());
-  }
-
- protected:
-  friend ActionList<Ts...>;
-
-  template<int... S> void play_next_tuple_(const std::tuple<Ts...> &tuple, seq<S...>) {
-    this->play_next(std::get<S>(tuple)...);
-  }
-
   Action<Ts...> *next_ = nullptr;
+
+  int num_running_{0};
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class ActionList {
diff --git a/esphome/core/base_automation.h b/esphome/core/base_automation.h
index add3df0bb5..d2656290bc 100644
--- a/esphome/core/base_automation.h
+++ b/esphome/core/base_automation.h
@@ -108,34 +108,23 @@ template<typename... Ts> class DelayAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Compon
 
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, delay)
 
-  void stop() override {
-    this->cancel_timeout("");
-    this->num_running_ = 0;
-  }
-
-  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
-  }
-
   void play_complex(Ts... x) override {
-    auto f = std::bind(&DelayAction<Ts...>::delay_end_, this, x...);
+    auto f = std::bind(&DelayAction<Ts...>::play_next_, this, x...);
     this->num_running_++;
     this->set_timeout(this->delay_.value(x...), f);
   }
   float get_setup_priority() const override { return setup_priority::HARDWARE; }
 
-  bool is_running() override { return this->num_running_ > 0 || this->is_running_next(); }
-
- protected:
-  void delay_end_(Ts... x) {
-    this->num_running_--;
-    this->play_next(x...);
+  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
   }
-  int num_running_{0};
+
+  void stop() override { this->cancel_timeout(""); }
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class LambdaAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   explicit LambdaAction(std::function<void(Ts...)> &&f) : f_(std::move(f)) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->f_(x...); }
 
  protected:
@@ -148,41 +137,40 @@ template<typename... Ts> class IfAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 
   void add_then(const std::vector<Action<Ts...> *> &actions) {
     this->then_.add_actions(actions);
-    this->then_.add_action(new LambdaAction<Ts...>([this](Ts... x) { this->play_next(x...); }));
+    this->then_.add_action(new LambdaAction<Ts...>([this](Ts... x) { this->play_next_(x...); }));
   }
 
   void add_else(const std::vector<Action<Ts...> *> &actions) {
     this->else_.add_actions(actions);
-    this->else_.add_action(new LambdaAction<Ts...>([this](Ts... x) { this->play_next(x...); }));
-  }
-
-  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
+    this->else_.add_action(new LambdaAction<Ts...>([this](Ts... x) { this->play_next_(x...); }));
   }
 
   void play_complex(Ts... x) override {
+    this->num_running_++;
     bool res = this->condition_->check(x...);
     if (res) {
       if (this->then_.empty()) {
-        this->play_next(x...);
-      } else {
+        this->play_next_(x...);
+      } else if (this->num_running_ > 0) {
         this->then_.play(x...);
       }
     } else {
       if (this->else_.empty()) {
-        this->play_next(x...);
-      } else {
+        this->play_next_(x...);
+      } else if (this->num_running_ > 0) {
         this->else_.play(x...);
       }
     }
   }
 
+  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
+  }
+
   void stop() override {
     this->then_.stop();
     this->else_.stop();
   }
 
-  bool is_running() override { return this->then_.is_running() || this->else_.is_running() || this->is_running_next(); }
-
  protected:
   Condition<Ts...> *condition_;
   ActionList<Ts...> then_;
@@ -196,37 +184,40 @@ template<typename... Ts> class WhileAction : public Action<Ts...> {
   void add_then(const std::vector<Action<Ts...> *> &actions) {
     this->then_.add_actions(actions);
     this->then_.add_action(new LambdaAction<Ts...>([this](Ts... x) {
-      if (this->condition_->check_tuple(this->var_)) {
+      if (this->num_running_ > 0 && this->condition_->check_tuple(this->var_)) {
         // play again
-        this->then_.play_tuple(this->var_);
+        if (this->num_running_ > 0) {
+          this->then_.play_tuple(this->var_);
+        }
       } else {
         // condition false, play next
-        this->play_next_tuple(this->var_);
+        this->play_next_tuple_(this->var_);
       }
     }));
   }
 
-  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
-  }
-
   void play_complex(Ts... x) override {
+    this->num_running_++;
     // Store loop parameters
     this->var_ = std::make_tuple(x...);
     // Initial condition check
     if (!this->condition_->check_tuple(this->var_)) {
       // If new condition check failed, stop loop if running
       this->then_.stop();
-      this->play_next_tuple(this->var_);
+      this->play_next_tuple_(this->var_);
       return;
     }
 
-    this->then_.play_tuple(this->var_);
+    if (this->num_running_ > 0) {
+      this->then_.play_tuple(this->var_);
+    }
+  }
+
+  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
   }
 
   void stop() override { this->then_.stop(); }
 
-  bool is_running() override { return this->then_.is_running() || this->is_running_next(); }
-
  protected:
   Condition<Ts...> *condition_;
   ActionList<Ts...> then_;
@@ -237,48 +228,44 @@ template<typename... Ts> class WaitUntilAction : public Action<Ts...>, public Co
  public:
   WaitUntilAction(Condition<Ts...> *condition) : condition_(condition) {}
 
-  void play(Ts... x) { /* ignore - see play_complex */
-  }
-
   void play_complex(Ts... x) override {
+    this->num_running_++;
     // Check if we can continue immediately.
     if (this->condition_->check(x...)) {
-      this->triggered_ = false;
-      this->play_next(x...);
+      if (this->num_running_ > 0) {
+        this->play_next_(x...);
+      }
       return;
     }
     this->var_ = std::make_tuple(x...);
-    this->triggered_ = true;
     this->loop();
   }
 
-  void stop() override { this->triggered_ = false; }
-
   void loop() override {
-    if (!this->triggered_)
+    if (this->num_running_ == 0)
       return;
 
     if (!this->condition_->check_tuple(this->var_)) {
       return;
     }
 
-    this->triggered_ = false;
-    this->play_next_tuple(this->var_);
+    this->play_next_tuple_(this->var_);
   }
 
   float get_setup_priority() const override { return setup_priority::DATA; }
 
-  bool is_running() override { return this->triggered_ || this->is_running_next(); }
+  void play(Ts... x) override { /* ignore - see play_complex */
+  }
 
  protected:
   Condition<Ts...> *condition_;
-  bool triggered_{false};
   std::tuple<Ts...> var_{};
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class UpdateComponentAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   UpdateComponentAction(PollingComponent *component) : component_(component) {}
+
   void play(Ts... x) override { this->component_->update(); }
 
  protected: