Remembering The Walking Dead’s Scott Wilson 1 year later

Just about a year ago The Walking Dead family lost Scott Wilson but his legacy, and Hershel’s humanity, continue to influence the show and the fans.

Sunday, October 6th is a big day for The Walking Dead fans. The Walking Dead officially kicks off season 10 on Sunday with a huge episode that most fans are going to love. But Sunday, October 6th is also the first anniversary of the death of actor Scott Wilson, who played beloved Greene family patriarch Hershel Greene on The Walking Dead.

Before his death Scott Wilson was able to make one last appearance in The Walking Dead, during Rick’s hallucination sequence in Andrew Lincoln’s last episode. That moment brought Rick’s journey full circle, and gave fans a chance to mourn Scott and Hershel. But the sadness over his passing lingers.

While to fans of The Walking Dead he will always be Hershel Greene Scott Wilson had a long and accomplished acting career. His breakout role was in the true-crime thriller In Cold Blood, a film adaptation of Truman Capote’s book about a shocking quadruple murder in a small Kansas town. Over the years he had roles in many well-known films and TV shows like: Dead Man Walking, Junebug, The Great Gatsby, The Right Stuff, Monster, Pearl Harbor, The OA, and of course The Walking Dead.

But Hershel Greene was a special role, and one that Scott treasured. Here he is talking about Hershel in seasons 2 and 3 at Paleyfest:

Hershel remains special to The Walking Dead fandom too.

Hershel Greene

When fans first meet Hershel he and his remaining family are living on their farm that has a serene quality to it because the farm has been unchanged for generations. They are self-sufficient and have been relatively unbothered by walkers. Hershel tries to save Carl’s life after Carl was shot accidentally by Otis.

Over the course of season 2 Hershel changes from someone who believes the old world can be restored, and that the dead can be restored, to someone that is pragmatic about the world that they are all living in. Hershel gets bitten, loses his leg, and undergoes other changes but never loses his faith. He believes in Rick, in the group, and in the power of humanity. He never loses that. He is the moral touchstone for the group and the father figure that everyone relies on.

Hershel’s finest episode was season 4’s “Internment” when he fought to help the sick in the prison while waiting for Daryl’s group to return with medicine. It was a tour de force performance that summed up the essence of who Hershel was.

Even though Hershel was killed by the Governor in the season 4 midseason finale his influence on the group remained strong, and even now six seasons later his legacy continues.

Bringing a character to life is a group effort by the writers, the director, and the actor. But it was Scott Wilson’s innate humanity, humor, and strength that made Hershel Greene such a special character with such a profound impact.

Spaghetti For Scott

As a way to honor Scott Wilson on the anniversary of his passing The Walking Dead fans are making spaghetti dinners on Sunday. One of Hershel’s most well-known lines was declaring that the group would have “Spaghetti Tuesday, every Wednesday”.

Another way to honor Scott’s memory and the lasting impact of Hershel Greene is to find your local bank using this link and donate some spaghetti, sauce, and other non-perishables to help people in your community who are hungry or facing food insecurity.

So make spaghetti for dinner on Sunday TWDFamily, and post your photos to Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #SpaghettiForScott to pay tribute to a fine actor and a wonderful human being who left us too soon. You can also tag us in your photos @SonyaIryna and @UndeadWalkingFS.