Who Does Tony Dalton Play on The Last of Us? His Shocking Connection to Joel Revealed

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In the latest episode of Season 2 (Episode 6), The Last of Us continues its trend of securing high-profile guest stars and maintaining secrecy until their on-screen debut. Viewers were pleasantly surprised in Season 2, Episode 4 when a well-known actor portrayed an annoying FEDRA soldier. Now, the series has unveiled another secret, this time revealing Tony Dalton as a character in the current episode.

It’s likely that Dalton is most recognized for his portrayal of Lalo Salamanca in Better Call Saul, which subsequently led to him being cast as Jack Duquesne (also known as Swordsman) in Hawkeye and Daredevil: Born Again within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor’s skills are such that even those who aren’t avid fans of prestigious TV shows would recognize him in The Last of Us. However, he also has ties to HBO beyond this series. In a fascinating twist, Dalton is set to appear alongside Tati Gabrielle in an upcoming series created by Naughty Dog, the same game developer as The Last of Us. Given these connections, it’s no surprise that showrunner Neil Druckmann and co-writer Halley Gross wish to utilize his talent once more.

Tony Dalton Plays Joel and Tommy’s Abusive Father

The Better Call Saul Actor Appears in a Flashback in Season 2, Episode 6

Season 2, Episode 6 is primarily a flashback episode showing how Joel and Ellie celebrate her birthday annually in Jackson. However, it begins by going even further back to the year 1983, specifically in Austin, Texas. In this scene, a teenager named Joel promises another boy, who’s presumably his brother Tommy, that he will shield them from their dad when he returns home. In this episode, we also learn that Dalton, who plays Joel’s father, shares the same first initial as Joel, suggesting that Joel might have been named after him.

The man who serves as both their father and a police officer has a history of physical and emotional abuse towards his children, despite claims to the contrary. He acknowledges that he crosses boundaries when disciplining them, but defends his parenting approach by asserting it’s less severe than what he experienced at the hands of his own dad. In an attempt to shield Joel from consequences, Tommy lies about buying marijuana and getting into a brawl. This triggers their father to share a story about his father breaking his jaw over a trivial matter. Despite expressing regret for his actions, his apologies are insincere at best. Given that they’ve never discussed their father in the present day, it seems the abuse persisted until Joel and Tommy left home.

How Joel and Tommy’s Father Became the Ultimate Lesson for His Sons

Joel and Tommy Strived to Be Better Fathers Than Their Own

As a cinephile reminiscing on a poignant episode, I can’t help but reflect on the profound impact of the flashback. It served as a powerful reminder for Ellie and me about my own regrets, triggered by memories of our abusive father. Joel and I share this burden, as the memory of our violent patriarch continues to haunt him. The moment Seth hints at his past as a cop, a chill runs down Joel’s spine, as the mere mention of law enforcement stirs up painful reminders of childhood trauma. Yet, these bitter recollections serve as a stark reminder for us both – to strive to be better fathers and break the cycle of abuse.

There’s no doubting that Tommy’s upbringing shaped him into the person he is today – a man with a strong desire to be a hero and champion justice, not just for the people of Jackson but also for his son, Benji. In his younger years, he leaned on Joel for protection, using this experience as motivation to join the army at 18, aspiring to become a protector himself.

Intriguingly, Joel is also striving to be a better father than his own was, which is reminiscent of how his father raised him and Tommy in 1983. He often shares with Ellie what his father told him back then:

Interestingly enough, Joel is following the same path as his father took when raising him and Tommy, repeating to Ellie what his father said in 1983:

“If you should ever have one of your own, well then, I hope you do a little better than me.”

Joel distinctly embodies that motto in a way that sets him apart, as he avoids mistreating his children and instead uses his past hardships to inspire compassion towards Ellie rather than manipulate her with guilt. Joel openly acknowledges his shortcomings and the hurt he inflicted upon Ellie. While he doesn’t express remorse for saving her, his actions were driven by sincere love for her. In the ensuing years, he tirelessly worked to provide Ellie with a fulfilling life. By these actions alone, Joel surpasses his father in being an exceptional parent tenfold.

The Season 2 finale of The Last of Us premieres next Sunday at 9 PM ET on HBO.

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2025-05-19 05:22