The Walking Dead is one of the most popular and impactful shows of its era, having forged a legacy that will last a lifetime. What originally started out as a comic book series blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon that had to be watched by all. While some people feel that the show has run its course and should call it a day, there are still droves of loyal fans that continue to support this series and tune in each week.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan made his debut back in season 6 as the character Negan, and he wound up becoming one of the greatest characters in the show's history. People have had a number of different feelings towards the character, which is the mark of a great actor. Dean was perfect for the role, and the decision to cast him as Negan was a brilliant one.
Today we are going to look at Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s time on The Walking Dead.
15 He Was A Fan Of The Comics Before The Series Debuted
Imagine being a massive fan of a comic book series and then getting cast as one of the characters in a huge television project. Well, this is exactly what happened for Jeffrey Dean Morgan back when he was cast as Negan. He was a legitimate fan of the comics beforehand.
14 He Wanted To Play Negan Before The Role Was On TV
Not only was Jeffrey Dean Morgan a fan of the comic book series, but he had his eye on the character Negan before he got the casting news. Sometimes, things are just meant to be, and when Morgan was contacted for a role, he immediately knew that it was for Negan.
13 He Landed The Role While Working On The Good Wife
Great things can come at completely unexpected times, and it is important to recognize a golden opportunity when it presents itself. When he was contacted for a role on The Walking Dead, Jeffrey Dean Morgan was already working on the series The Good Wife. It just goes to show how talented he is.
12 He Always Keeps Lucille Near Between Takes
Some actors can sometimes become attached to the items that they are accustomed to holding during takes, and this certainly applies to Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lucille. The bat has been with him since the becoming, and he always has it with him while he is filming, even between takes.
11 The First Scene He Filmed Is The Most Iconic In The Series
Some actors need time to get into character and understand them a bit before filming such an iconic scene, but Jeffrey Dean Morgan did not have this luxury. As it were, the first scene that he filmed as the character wound up being one of the most iconic scenes in television history.
10 He Had A Hard Time Watching The Scene When it Debuted
The Walking Dead is known for being a show that pulls no punches and will do things that make people feel a bit uneasy. Even though he was the focal point of the iconic scene, even Jeffrey Dean Morgan had a hard time watching the execution play out on the small screen.
9 He Took A Lot Of Hatred From Fans After His Debut
Fans can be absolutely brutal when it comes to something they love, and they just don’t know where to draw the line. Many performers expect to get reactions from people, but we are sure that it gets old. Jeffrey Dean Morgan dealt with plenty of fan hate after he made his series debut, removing two fan favorites in the process.
8 He Complained About Negan Being One Dimensional
No matter how popular a character or project gets, an actor is sure to have their own opinion on things. For Jeffrey Dean Morgan, he would eventually reach a point that saw him grow frustrated with Negan. He was not a fan of the character being one dimensional in nature.
7 He Admitted He Took Things "Too Far" When Filming With Ryan Hurst
Getting the chance to film a physical scene can be a great way to spice things up, but the actors involved had better tone things down and not go overboard. Well, Jeffrey Dean Morgan did admit to taking things “too far” physically when he got the chance to work with Ryan Hurst, to the point where said footage couldn't be used.
6 He Spoiled A Huge Moment Involving Alpha
Spoiling something on social media is a quick way to anger loads of fans that have not had the chance to watch something, and this is something that Morgan has been guilty of. He posted a massive spoiler about a plot twist involving the character Alpha. Hopefully, most fans watched the episode.
5 Negan Has Seeped Into His Other Roles
Playing such a popular character is no easy feat, and some performers may find that their biggest role often seeps into their other ones. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has admitted as much in the past, but fans were quick to forgive him and just move on. After all, Negan really is that good.
4 He Has A "Bromance" With Norman Reedus
There is nothing quite like working with a bunch of people that wind up becoming your friends. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been around the block in the entertainment industry, and during his time on The Walking Dead, he wound up striking up a bromance with his co-star and series legend Norman Reedus.
3 He Didn't Know About The Cliffhanger Until It Aired
Despite fans believing that actors get all of the juicy details on a project, the truth is that there are plenty of things that they are kept in the dark about. Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s series debut ended in a massive cliffhanger, and he had no idea about it until the show had aired.
2 Fans Have Gifted Him Some Explicit Items
People that end up in huge projects wind up dealing with crazed fans that really don’t know how to keep things normal and civil. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has encountered plenty of fans over the years, and some have given him some gifts that are not family-friendly in the slightest.
1 He Wants A Negan Prequel Project
Because he is such a compelling character that came along much later in the series, there is still a lot about Negan that people don’t know about. As such, many fans would love to see Negan have his very own prequel project. Turns out, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is on board.