Not every show’s debut manages to leave an impression on viewers. But then there are shows like The Walking Dead that burst onto the scene, dominate television for over a decade, and launch their cast members into stardom well beyond the zombie apocalypse.
Over the show's 11-season run, countless characters fought for survival, faced shocking betrayals, and battled hordes of walkers. But for some actors, the real-life adventures after leaving the show have been even bigger. From major movie roles to hit TV projects, here are five Walking Dead stars who went from surviving the undead to becoming household names
Steven Yeun
The Walking Dead fans know Steven Yeun as the resourceful and determined Glenn Rhee, whose journey from rookie survivor to fan-favorite hero left a lasting mark on the series. Unfortunately, his character meets a tragic end in the zombie show, but Yeun’s career only soared afterward.
He went on to star in critically acclaimed films like Minari, earning an Academy Award nomination, and proved his versatility with roles in comedies, dramas, and voice acting. Maybe you remember seeing him in the black comedy film Sorry to Bother You, or perhaps you recall him playing the mysterious Ricky "Jupe" Park in Jordan Peele's smash-hit sci-fi horror flick Nope. Nowadays, people recognize him from starring in the leading role as Danny Cho in the first season of Netflix's Beef and voicing the lead character Mark Grayson/Invincible in the adult animated superhero series Invincible.
He most recently starred in the sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 with Robert Pattinson. Fortunately, we haven't seen the last of Yeun either. He's pretty booked and busy. We can expect to see him in the upcoming movies The RIP and Animals. He's also set to voice Zuko in the animated fantasy film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender. Last but not least, you can expect to hear his voice in the brand-new fourth season of Invincible when it comes out on Prime Video. He will reprise his role as Mark Grayson/Invincible.
Jon Bernthal
Jon Bernthal, the talented actor who played the tough and unpredictable Shane Walsh on The Walking Dead, quickly became a fan favorite. But like Yeun's character, Shane would also meet his demise in the zombie series. However, that didn't mean we’d seen the last of Bernthal. He went on to star in movies such as The Wolf of Wall Street, The Accountant, Baby Driver, Ford v Ferrari, Those Who Wish Me Dead, King Richard and The Unforgivable.
But he's most recognizable for starring as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in Daredevil, The Punisher, and Daredevil: Born Again. This role solidified his reputation as a fierce and unforgettable action star. He will reprise this same role in an upcoming untitled Punisher Disney+ special and the superhero film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. His other upcoming projects include The Odyssey and the mystery thriller series His & Hers.
Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira is known for portraying the fierce and iconic Michonne on The Walking Dead, a katana-wielding survivor whose courage, intelligence, and unshakable resolve made her one of the show’s most memorable characters. Unlike Yeun and Bernthal's characters, Gurira's character was one of the remaining survivors at the end of the original series. She would later reprise this role in the hit spinoff show The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, along with Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes.
But if we're talking about projects outside of The Walking Dead, Gurira has become a major force in Hollywood, starring as Okoye in the Black Panther films and other Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, while also earning critical acclaim as a playwright and stage actress.
Next up, we can expect to see her in an action-adventure film titled Matchbox. An exact release date has not been announced, but it's reportedly set for a fall 2026 release. Then, there's the upcoming romantic heist film The Thomas Crown Affair. Unfortunately, it's unknown who Gurira will be playing in the movie, but we do know it's slated to hit theaters on March 5, 2027.
Sonequa Martin-Green
Sonequa Martin-Green is another beloved Walking Dead actress whose character, Sasha Williams, won over fans with her bravery, resilience, and unwavering loyalty. Sadly, Sasha doesn't make it to the end of the zombie series, but Martin-Green’s career continued to flourish. She went on to star as Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery, earning critical acclaim for her strong performance and proving she could lead a major sci-fi franchise while cementing her place as a household name.
She's also dabbled in the film industry, taking on roles in the movies Space Jam: A New Legacy and My Dead Friend Zoe. One of her latest projects is the comedy-drama film She Dances. It has already premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, but it hasn't yet received a wide release. We'll see her next in the CBS Blue Bloods spinoff series Boston Blue and the biographical drama film Sarah's Oil.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Last but not least is Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who Walking Dead fans would know for playing the charismatic and menacing Negan in the zombie series. You can currently catch him reprising the same role in the spinoff show The Walking Dead: Dead City. While people might have already known Morgan for his roles in Grey's Anatomy and Supernatural, the world really took notice of his talent when he brought Negan to life.
Since then, he has become a beloved and recognizable figure in Hollywood. He starred in the role of Harvey Russell in the box office hit Rampage. He also appeared in the survival thriller flick Fall, portraying the role of James Conner.
Are you a The Boys fan? If so, you'll be glad to know that Morgan appears in the superhero series as the character Joe Kessler/ Billy Butcher. In addition, he most recently starred in the crime thriller film Neighborhood Watch and took on hosting duties for the reality competition series Destination X. Next, you can see him reprise his respective roles in the upcoming third season of Dead City and the fifth season of The Boys.
The complete The Walking Dead series is available to stream on Netflix.