10 Actors in The Walking Dead Before They Were Famous

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Numerous actors who graced our screens in “The Walking Dead” have subsequently achieved great success and gained widespread recognition. As AMC’s primary series, “The Walking Dead” showcased a vast cast of survivors, banding together during a zombie apocalypse to survive against relentless threats from both the undead hordes known as “Walkers” and antagonistic humans. While some cast members from “The Walking Dead” have ventured into new narratives within the expanding franchise, others have risen to fame as household names and taken on even more prominent roles in other projects.

A number of highly skilled actors have graced both The Walking Dead and its spinoffs, many of whom were already recognized figures prior to joining the post-apocalyptic show. Actors like Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Michael Rooker, Melissa McBride, Norman Reedus, and others had previously made their mark in significant productions before landing key roles in The Walking Dead. However, some found The Walking Dead to be a stepping stone, gaining even more fame after appearing on the series for its eleven-season run. These stars have since continued to expand their diverse careers.

10) Andrew Lincoln

To begin with, it’s worth mentioning that Andrew Lincoln had already made a name for himself before joining “The Walking Dead”. Most notably, he played Mark, the videographer smitten by Keira Knightley’s newlywed character Juliet in Richard Curtis’ beloved 2003 romantic comedy, “Love Actually.” However, his portrayal of Rick Grimes, the leader of the Atlanta/Alexandria survivors in “The Walking Dead”, catapulted him to household fame and widespread acclaim. The series significantly boosted his popularity and public recognition.

9) Kerry Condon

Prior to portraying Stacey on Better Call Saul, Siobhán in The Banshees of Inisherin, and FRIDAY within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Irish actress Kerry Condon first made a significant impact with her role in The Walking Dead. Specifically, she featured in four episodes during season 4 as Clara, a survivor who attempted to feed Rick to her deceased husband. Clara’s character served to introduce one of the main themes of season 4 – the exploration of redemption. Since then, Condon’s career has flourished, with her upcoming role in Pressure alongside Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser.

8) Sonequa Martin-Green

Before her notable role as Michael Burnham in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’, Sonequa Martin-Green had already appeared in several indie films. She joined the cast of ‘The Walking Dead’ in season 3, playing the character Sasha Williams for five years. In a heartrending twist, her character Sasha gave herself up to serve as a weapon against Negan (played by Morgan). Following this, Martin-Green has further cemented her fame and expanded her acting portfolio with roles in ‘New Girl’, ‘Once Upon a Time’, ‘Invincible’, ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’, among others. Eight years after leaving ‘The Walking Dead’, her career continues to grow in intriguing directions.

7) Corey Hawkins

Corey Hawkins’ tenure on The Walking Dead was brief, yet the show provided an ideal launchpad for his acting career. Playing the character Heath, Hawkins graced the screens of season 6 until his sudden departure left fans puzzled. Prior to this, he starred in major films like Straight Outta Compton, Kong: Skull Island, BlacKkKlansman, In the Heights, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Color Purple, and more. With upcoming roles in Nadia Latif’s The Man in My Basement, Bart Layton’s Crime 101, and most notably, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey scheduled for 2026, Hawkins’ career trajectory continues to soar even higher.

6) Lauren Ridloff

After appearing in only two on-screen roles prior, deaf actress Lauren Ridloff joined “The Walking Dead” cast as Connie, a character introduced following a six-year time jump during season 9. Over the course of 30 episodes, she developed a heartfelt bond with Daryl (played by Reedus), and her success led to more prominent roles in shows like “New Amsterdam,” “Sound of Metal,” and “Accused.” However, Ridloff is perhaps most recognized for her groundbreaking role as the first deaf superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – the speedster Makkari from 2021’s “Eternals.” Though unclear what lies ahead in the MCU for Ridloff, it is clear that this is only the start of a promising career for this exceptional actor.

5) Cailey Fleming

18-year-old actress Cailey Fleming initially garnered attention as a young Rey (Daisy Ridley) in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it was her role as Judith, daughter of Rick and Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), on season 9 of The Walking Dead that truly boosted her fame. Fleming appeared in 32 episodes of the zombie series, and since then has been seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Loki as a young Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), and more recently alongside John Krasinski and Ryan Reynolds in IF. Thanks to her stint on The Walking Dead, Fleming has a promising career ahead of her at such a young age.

4) Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo may not have been in The Walking Dead, but he did play the main character Victor Strand in the show’s initial spinoff, Fear the Walking Dead. Prior to this role, Domingo was often cast in smaller parts. However, he has repeatedly expressed his gratitude for Fear the Walking Dead as it turned his career around. Since then, Domingo has taken on significant roles in numerous acclaimed productions such as If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Candyman, Euphoria, The Color Purple, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Rustin, Sing Sing, and many more. His performances in Rustin and Sing Sing even earned him consecutive Academy Award nominations, solidifying his reputation as one of the most talented actors of our time.

3) Danai Gurira

Prior to appearing as Michonne on season 3 of The Walking Dead in 2012, Danai Gurira built a remarkable career on stage. Michonne, a solitary survivor who eventually becomes a key character, was the role that brought her into the small screen. Gurira played Michonne throughout seasons 3 to 10, and then reprised her role in The Ones Who Live alongside Andrew Lincoln. Since then, she has gained significant recognition for portraying Okoye, a Wakandan Dora Milaje warrior, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with appearances in several record-breaking movies. In 2026, Gurira is expected to further her career with Sam Hargrave’s Matchbox, and in 2027, she will star in Michael B. Jordan’s The Thomas Crown Affair. The future of Danai Gurira’s career looks very promising.

2) Jon Bernthal

Jon Bernthal played a significant role during the early stages of “The Walking Dead,” portraying Shane Walsh, Rick Grimes’ partner at the King County Sheriff’s department. After Rick’s absence, Shane took charge of the Atlanta survivors. Over time, Shane evolved into one of the main antagonists on “The Walking Dead.” This role garnered Bernthal a great deal of recognition and opportunities that he has since capitalized on. Notably, Bernthal is known for his portrayal of Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He has also received an Emmy Award for his role in “The Bear” and appeared in prominent films such as “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Sicario,” “Baby Driver,” “King Richard,” among others. In the near future, he will appear in “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

1) Steven Yeun

As a movie fanatic, I must say, it’s truly remarkable to witness the soaring success Steven Yeun has experienced post his dramatic exit from The Walking Dead in season 7. Kicking off his journey with Glenn Rhee, his first significant screen character, Yeun has since delved into critically-acclaimed roles such as those in I Origins, Okja, Sorry to Bother You, Nope, Invincible, Mickey 17, and more.

However, it was Lee Sung Jin’s Beef that catapulted Yeun to new heights, earning him his first Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari saw Yeun nominated for the prestigious Best Actor award at the Academy Awards. His career trajectory shows no signs of abating in the near future, making me incredibly excited to see what he will achieve next!

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2025-08-16 17:29