The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus celebrated a birthday this weekend and The Walking Dead fans took to Twitter to celebrate with a very special hashtag.
Daryl Dixon was never supposed to become the core character he has become on The Walking Dead. In fact, Daryl Dixon was never really supposed to be on the show. The character doesn’t exist in the comic.
But when Reedus auditioned for the role of Merle Dixon he made such a big impression that the rold of Daryl Dixon was created for him. Originally the character was supposed to be a minor character that got killed off quickly. But fans immediately fell in love with the redneck with a heart of gold and the actor who plays him.
On January 6th the actor who plays him, Norman Reedus, celebrated his 49th birthday. His devoted fanbase on Twitter started a hashtag to honor him: #49reasonsWeLoveNormanReedus. Here are some of the best Tweets:
13. Daryl was supposed to be like Merle and was supposed to die early on but Norman fought to change all of that #49ReasonsWeLoveNormanReedus #HappyBirthdayNormanReedus pic.twitter.com/95RvkzNuIj
— FlandusFans (@FlandusFans) January 6, 2018
4. He took a stand against bullying #49ReasonsWeLoveNormanReedus #HappyBirthdayNormanReedus pic.twitter.com/LrizP191xs
— FlandusFans (@FlandusFans) January 6, 2018
#49ReasonsWeLoveNormanReedus #HappyBirthdayNormanReedus
— Lalia C. (@Loves_Reedus) January 6, 2018
And number 1...... Because he's so kind, attentive and dedicated to his fans! pic.twitter.com/CIEmcv9csd
5. He accepts people for who they are and his advice to Daryl shows how big his heart is #49ReasonsWeLoveNormanReedus #HappyBirthdayNormanReedus pic.twitter.com/oUEres9759
— FlandusFans (@FlandusFans) January 6, 2018
15. He wears his heart on his sleeve (literally) #49ReasonsWeLoveNormanReedus #HappyBirthdayNormanReedus pic.twitter.com/h8Pvqt149x
— FlandusFans (@FlandusFans) January 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/TinaCatwoman/status/949585981711310848
In season 3 Daryl had a real crossroads moment when he had to decide whether to leave the group and go with Merle or stay with the only people who had ever really respected and loved him. While he initially left with Merle, he ultimately decided to go back to the group. And he never left again.
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8 seasons later Daryl Dixon is still fighting for survival and for the people he loves. And fans still love him. His special connection with Carol keeps fans hoping that Caryl will finally become canon one day. Despite his mistakes his heart, his loyalty, and his willingness to risk it all for those he loves make him a character that fans love.