The Walking Dead Universe has officially returned to screens after a near-year-long hiatus. The highly-anticipated third season of Dead City made its presence felt on both AMC and AMC+ on July 26, with a season premiere that set Maggie Rhee and Negan up for a very different kind of story this time around. The longtime rivals have now taken to the streets of New York City as potential allies, putting their dark history behind each other once and for all in the hopes of building a better Manhattan for the future generations.
The season 3 premiere, titled "Trillium", also took the time to honor a Walking Dead legend. The episode closed out with a touching tribute to the late, great Rif Hutton, which read: "In Loving Memory Of Rif Hutton".
Hutton was an unsung hero of the Walking Dead franchise, as he provided the voicework for the walkers across all seven TWD Universe shows. Known for his signature growl, his sounds have been appearing on the various Walking Dead shows since the pilot episode of the very first series premiered all the way back in 2010. He would return for original spinoff Fear The Walking Dead, subsequent shows World Beyond and Tales of The Walking Dead, and he also took part in recent sequel shows Daryl Dixon, Dead City, and The Ones Who Live.
The star sadly passed away on April 18, 2026, at the age of 73 after battling brain cancer. TWD: Dead City executive producer Scott M. Gimple (who also serves as AMC's Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe) announced the news to the TWD Family, taking to social media to post his own tribute to the Walking Dead legend. In his post, he revealed the extensive work that Rif had put in over the years:
"We just lost Rif Hutton, who holds a unique place in TWDU history, doing walker voices across all the shows, since the pilot. The walkers onset generally do not do their own growls, that comes in later — and Rif was one of the greatest of all time."
The post also features a fascinating clip in which you see Hutton actually perform the iconic Walker growls in the studio. Needless to say, he's fantastic in that clip:
We just lost Rif Hutton, who holds a unique place in TWDU history, doing walker voices across all the shows, since the pilot. The walkers onset generally do not do their own growls, that comes in later — and Rif was one of the greatest of all time. https://t.co/TaB5ht6aNs pic.twitter.com/WR5C6ZFhuk
— Scott M. Gimple (@ScottMGimple) April 20, 2026
Dead City isn't the first TV show this year to honor Hutton with a tribute. NCIS also paid tribute to Hutton with a title card earlier this year that read: "In memory of our friend and colleague Rif Hutton. We will miss you". This was also a lovely homage to the star, who had played Marine General Phillip Braxton on two episodes of the series. Interestingly, he also appeared in spinoff NCIS: Los Angeles in a completely different role of Commander Albert Burns. Just as he was on The Walking Dead, Hutton was a beloved part of multiple shows within the NCIS franchise. Most notably, his role as Lieutenant Commander Alan Mattoni in JAG, which is arguably his most recognizable on-screen role, is also a part of the NCIS shared universe.
Outside of NCIS and TWD, Hutton's best-known on-screen work was likely that of Dr. Ron Welch in Doogie Howser M.D. and Russ Beeler, a fictional owner of a KFC establishment in multiple KFC commercials throughout the '90s. He had further roles as law enforcement or military officials in the likes of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Wayans Bros. and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
He had a lengthy, legendary career to his name and it goes without saying that he will be missed by so many. On behalf of us at Undead Walking, we send our condolences to Rif Hutton's family and loved ones, as well as all of his colleagues over the years (in the TWD Family and beyond). May he Rest In Eternal Peace.
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