Posted by One death that was particularly hard on ‘The Walking Dead’ fans for a multitude of reasons was that of Carl Grimes.
If you ask any fan of The Walking Dead which death hit them most, you’d have to be prepared
for a pretty lengthy conversation. We’ve seen many fan-favorites fall prey to everything from zombie bites to all-out murder through the series history. From Hershel to Tyreese and Abraham to Beth,
the series is ruthless — as is to be expected for a show about living through a zombie apocalypse.
One death that was particularly hard on fans for a multitude of reasons was that of Carl Grimes, Rick Grimes’ son and the character that fans thought would tell a major part of the story in the future. His death seemed untimely and unforgivable — it’s still hard to watch the series without him.
Of course, the actor hurt at the loss of that role, too. So just who is the talented actor that played Carl Grimes? His name is Chandler Riggs and aside from playing Carl for years, he’s got an impressive career path and has done a lot more than just act in The Walking Dead.
So what else has Chandler Riggs been up to in his career and personal life? Let’s take a look.
9 Riggs Got An Early Start In Acting
Starting first with theater acting, Riggs was cast in The Wizard Of Oz and Oklahoma. He also had two film credits before his age was in the double digits. Then, at age 10, he was cast in his most well-known role, as Carl in The Walking Dead. Riggs shared a tweet where someone listed their jobs since age 16, he shared his since age eight and the list was quite short – actor.
8 He Was Cast On ‘The Walking Dead’ At Age 10
Being cast in such a wildly popular show must have been a wild idea to a 10-year-old, but it’s hard to know if anyone grasped how The Walking Dead would grow an absolute community around it. TWD’s family still very much considers Riggs one of their own, and Carl Grimes is a central part of the story of survival, love, and loss while navigating life with the undead.
7 He’s On ‘A Million Little Things’
Chandler Riggs has a recurring role on A Million Little Things as a character named PJ. Fans of The Walking Dead were thrilled to see him on the series, as his role was quite different from that of Carl Grimes. If you’ve not yet seen the episodes, we won’t spoil them for you, but PJ plays an important part in the series, and his interactions with the characters are important and refreshing.
6 He’s Been Hard At Work On A (Secret, For Now) Project
In a few tweets Riggs posted to his account recently, you can tell that he’s really excited about a project he’s been working on. Since his exit from The Walking Dead, he’s had roles in a few films and a role as a recurring character on A Million Little Things.
While fans know little to nothing about what his latest project may be, it’s great to hear his excitement about it. This is what the tweet shared with fans this April said.
“Last month or so i’ve worked harder than i have in almost two years, and if all goes well, it’ll be like this for a long time. I’m so excited about it and one way or another i’m gonna make sure you see what i’ve been working on.”
5 He’s Been In Horror And Supernatural Films
Chandler Riggs’ first film credit is, ironically, in a zombie movie, Jesus H. Zombie. Fans always found it fitting that he wound up playing such a big role on The Walking Dead. He’s also played roles in a few more horror/suspense type films. Mercy, Inherit The Viper, and Keep Watching are all movies that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Riggs is a talented actor and fans can’t wait to see what he does next.
4 He’s Got A Great Sense Of Humor
Even though it was upsetting to lose Carl on The Walking Dead, Riggs can find humor in everything from memes to Valentines that highlight just how painful that experience was. This post is definitely a fan favorite.
3 He Receives Pudding For Gifts, A Lot
If you’re not a dedicated fan of The Walking Dead, this one may be a bit harder to understand, but it rings true none the less. Riggs receives pudding from fans, often, specifically chocolate pudding. Carl Grimes had survived a day that most kids would run away from. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, and so many unknowns looming on the horizon, Carl celebrated fighting off a zombie, and merely surviving the unsurvivable by eating a hefty can of chocolate pudding on the roof.
2 He’s Also A DJ
Riggs has also put out music and performed as a DJ during his time in the entertainment business. From festivals to The Walking Dead fan events, he’s wowed audiences and listeners at home with his style and talent.
1 He Has A Special Bond With Andrew Lincoln
Riggs’ mother posted a sweet photo of Andrew Lincoln and Chandler at his graduation party. She said that Andrew crashed the event and wanted to surprise and support him for his hard work. The two are inherently bonded from their time working together on the series, and playing father and son gave them an even closer bond than they otherwise would’ve had.