SAG Awards remember Scott Wilson of AMC’s The Walking Dead

The SAG Awards paid tribute to Scott Wilson with a memorable clip from his time as Hershel Greene on AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Scott Wilson may be gone, but he will live forever as beloved patriarch Hershel Greene in AMC’s The Walking Dead. Scott passed away in October, just before the premiere of season 9 of The Walking Dead.

Scott Wilson had a long career in Hollywood with roles in classics like In The Heat Of The Night, Pearl Harbor, Dead Man Walking, The Great Gatsby, The Right Stuff, and many more. But it was his stunning performance in the film based on real events In Cold Blood that he is the most remembered for. In Cold Blood was listed as number 8 on the American Film Institute’s list of Best Courtroom Dramas.

But it wasn’t one of Scott Wilson’s wonderful film appearances which were highlighted in the SAG Awards In Memoriam reel on Jan. 27. It was his performance as Hershel Greene from The Walking Dead that was highlighted. There was a frame of him in character from In Cold Blood but then there was a brief clip of him as Hershel, in season 4 of The Walking Dead, giving his legendary “Risk Your Life” speech. You can watch the reel, and try not to cry, here:

Although Scott’s character Hershel Greene was killed off in season 4 by The Governor, his presence and legacy have been part of the show ever since. And when Andrew Lincoln was getting ready to leave the show Scott returned to The Walking Dead to play Hershel one last time in Andrew’s final episode. Here’s Scott talking about working with Andrew. He passed away soon after his cameo scene was shot.

Scott’s Enduring Legacy

The Walking Dead has always done an excellent job with casting. They have an uncanny ability to find the perfect actors to bring these characters to life in a real and relatable way. Scott brought a depth to the Hershel Greene character that kept him from becoming a caricature. From a farmer quietly clinging to the hope that his family could be restored to a resigned survivor who trusted Rick, he also kept Rick in check. He was a father figure and a moral figure for everyone.

He wasn’t afraid to call Rick out when he felt that Rick needed it. Hershel was the heart of the group of survivors through some of their most terrible times. Even as he knew he was going to die Hershel smiled at his daughters, and at Rick, wanting their last impression of him to be him smiling on them.

Hershel left behind a fierce belief in the value of saving humanity that was echoed by Carl as Carl was dying. He also delivered some classic speeches and lines that The Walking Dead fans still use today to remember him and honor him. “Spaghetti Tuesday every Wednesday” is now a bona fide social media thing. And we will never forget that we all have jobs to do, especially when things seem overwhelming. However, Hershel’s famous speech from season 4, which was referenced in the SAG Awards reel, will forever be how fans remember Hershel Greene.

"“You walk outside, you risk your life. You take a drink of water, you risk your life. Nowadays you breath and you risk your life. You don’t have a choice. The only thing you can choose is what you’re risking it for.”"

Scott Wilson, and Hershel Greene, will be part of The Walking Dead family forever.