You’d probably have missed him in the past roles, but not as Negan in AMC’s The Walking Dead. That man is Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who has become a household name for his remarkable acting in the last decade. Despite the competition for a top spot, if one actor has confirmed he’s built for virtually any role or genre, it’s Morgan. While we’ve seen many stars having a preference for featuring in specific types of movies or shows, Morgan’s adaptability to different far-flung characters is more than astonishing. Since his 1991 acting debut, he has been featured in numerous films and series, warming up his way to the hearts of movie lovers globally. One would think that spending so long in the industry would be taking a toll on his interest in acting by now, but, judging by the number of works in the pipeline, it appears he’s gaining momentum. Other than his demonstrable acting, check out the facts you probably didn’t know about Morgan.
Credit: The Walking Dead
- Don’t let the all-so-normal ruggedness in the shows fool you; he’s rather friendly in real life and a dog lover.
For many fans who do not know much about his personal life, it’d be hard to see him as a friendly person and a pet lover, bearing in mind the many times he has taken amoral roles throughout his acting career. It’s understandable how we often make general assumptions about the personalities of most actors based on their characters in the filming industry. In any case, some real-life traits have doubled as critical factors that make some actors stand out in their roles. You’ll be surprised how contradicting Morgan’s trademark character is if you meet him in person. He’s surprisingly pleasant and likes spending quality time, laughing his head off with family and friends. He also loves keeping his dog close by when not out for official business, which tells you just how well-disposed he is.
- He is a painter
Morgan’s creativity knows no boundaries. Aside from wowing his fans as an actor, he also expresses himself through other artistic ways. Would you have imagined him as a dedicated painter? It’s telling that even his busy schedule could not steer him away from this talent after his career took off and brought too many responsibilities. He still finds time to send strong messages using brush strokes, a trade he has been involved in for decades. One of his most outstanding achievements as a painter was donating a self-completed art for actioning in a race for rescue targeting to raise money for sheltering flurry friends in California. As if that’s not enough, he launched a graphic art firm long before his acting career flourished. That shows you just how passionate he is about painting.
- Unlike many other superstars, he revels in living in the countryside.
The fame and money that comes with mainstage stage acting make the fast town life perfect for renowned individuals like Jeffrey Morgan. While we’d all expect to bump into him in the busy urban areas, that might not happen soon unless you find him on set for one of his popular ongoing or upcoming shows. Morgan confessed his love for spending his time on the farm, interacting with his animals in his reality TV show Friday Night in With the Morgans. Together with his wife, Burton Morgan, they surprised their fans with this revelation as they took them around their home during the pandemic.
Credit: Friday Night in With the Morgans
- Can you imagine he was once considered a failure despite his fame and achievements?
It’s said that even the best sometimes had to go through a rough patch before rising to the top. Morgan is not an exception since his acting career was not all that smooth. He encountered numerous barriers and difficulties that went as far as discouraging his first manager, who labeled him unpopular for failing to attract admirers as an actor. She even gave up and dropped him because she felt his career was long dead, only for him to rejuvenate himself, rising rapidly to one of the most sought-after characters of the modern era. Perhaps that challenge was his wake-up call and just what he needed to rediscover himself.
- He is an avid advocator of individual rights.
Morgan recently took to social media to support Roe v. Wade, telling critics off and declaring that he also has a right to his opinions. It was interesting how his ruggedness came out, even though in real life, to convey his message in this case. His love and support for his wife were evident as he defended her position, having procured abortion as a medical process for healing her uterus and addressing her fertility issues.