LIFE: At The Movies

Part 1: The Walking Dead Experience

In 2017, I began a unique adventure as a background actor — an experience that opened the door to some unforgettable moments. This all started thanks to a friend I met at the Atlanta Walker Stalker Con, a fan convention for The Walking Dead. He shared tips on how to submit for background roles, and within just a few days, I was selected for my first appearance on the show.

Filming took place primarily in Senoia, Georgia, a small town that serves as the main backdrop for The Walking Dead. My wife, a big fan of the show, joined me often — and we spent a lot of our free time exploring filming locations around town.

That first background role lasted about a week, and though I hadn’t planned on doing it again, just a few weeks later I received another email inviting me back. What started as a one-time experience turned into many opportunities over the next few years. One of the most memorable moments came while filming Season 9, Episode 15, when actress Alanna Masterson (who played Tara) recognized me on set, came over, and greeted me with a hug — a small but meaningful moment that reflected the friendships built along the way.

I appeared in several episodes across Seasons 9 and 10, and the experience not only gave me a behind-the-scenes view of one of television’s most popular shows, but also connected me with a great network of people.

Part 2: Film — Line of Duty (Starring Aaron Eckhart)

In June 2018, I had the chance to work as a background actor in the feature film Line of Duty, filmed in Birmingham, Alabama. Interestingly, just a week before, my friends and I had joked about the production while watching some of the filming during our lunch break. On a whim, I submitted for a background role — and a few days later, I was contacted to join the cast.

Working on Line of Duty was a fantastic experience. I got to meet both the background director and the main director, and I even landed a prominent on-screen moment along with several other background shots that can still be seen in the final film. It was an exciting glimpse into the world of movie-making and another great opportunity to connect with talented people in the industry.