Norman Reedus

Summary

Norman Mark Reedus[1][2] (born January 6, 1969)[3][4] is an American actor and former fashion model. He made his acting debut in the 1990s, starring in the role of Murphy MacManus in The Boondock Saints, followed by supporting roles in successful box office films 8MM, Blade II, and American Gangster. Reedus rose to prominence for his portrayal of Daryl Dixon in the hit AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead (2010–2022). Regarded as one of the show's most popular characters, he has starred in his own spin-off series, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, since 2023. Reedus is the host of the AMC show Ride with Norman Reedus (2016–present). He has modeled for various fashion designers, including Prada.

Norman Reedus
Reedus in 2023
Born
Norman Mark Reedus

(1969-01-06) January 6, 1969 (age 55)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • model
  • television host
Years active1992–present
Partners
Children2
Websitenormanreedusonline.com

Reedus also landed roles in the television series Law & Order and Hawaii Five-O and ventured into voice acting, appearing in video games and voicing Sam Porter in the video game Death Stranding and Striker in the animated series Helluva Boss. He has also starred in music videos for Lady Gaga, Keith Richards, Radiohead, R.E.M., and Orville Peck.

Early life edit

Reedus was born in Hollywood, Florida, the son of Marianne (née Yarber), a teacher, and Ira Norman Reedus.[5] Reedus's paternal grandmother was of Italian and French descent, while his grandfather had English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry.[6][better source needed] His parents divorced when he was young.[7] Reedus attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, for a semester. After living in Tokyo, he moved to California to work at a Harley-Davidson shop in Venice, California, and contributed artwork to various shows as a painter, photographer, sculptor, and video artist.[1] He first acted in the play Maps for Drowners at the Tiffany Theater on Sunset Boulevard.[8]

Career edit

Film and television edit

 
Reedus in 2014

Reedus played Jeremy in his major film debut Mimic[9] and Mac in Giovanni Rodriguez's Red Canyon.[10] He played Murphy MacManus in the 1999 film The Boondock Saints.[11] He reprised the role in the 2009 sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.[12] He played Scud in Blade II. He guest-starred in Charmed as Nate, the boyfriend of Paige (Rose McGowan). Reedus starred in Hello Herman, which opened nationwide and on-demand on June 7, 2013.[13] Reedus stars in the reality series Ride with Norman Reedus, which premiered in June 2016.[14] Most recently, he started Bigbaldhead Productions with an overall deal at AMC.[15]

The Walking Dead edit

In 2010, Reedus began playing Daryl Dixon in the AMC television series The Walking Dead, a horror drama about a group of friends and family members who fight to survive in a violent apocalyptic world populated with flesh-eating zombies and the few surviving humans. The character was not originally in the comic book series of the same name, but was created specifically for Reedus after his audition for the character of Merle Dixon. The Walking Dead comic creator Robert Kirkman feels "absolutely blessed Reedus has honored the show with his presence, and the way he has come in and taken over that role and defined Daryl Dixon. A lot of Reedus's portrayal of the character in the first season inspired all the writers to do what we did with him in the second season. We love writing him and end up doing cool stuff with him." The drama has evolved into the highest-rated in cable history, smashing all previous records.[16] Reedus was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.

Reedus reprised his role of Daryl as the lead of a spin-off series centered on his character, following the conclusion of the 11th and final season of The Walking Dead. Angela Kang is the showrunner for the series, which debuted in September 2023.[17]

The Boondock Saints 3 edit

In March 2024, Thunder Road Films, Dragonfly Films and Impossible Dream Entertainment announced a "reimagining" of The Boondock Saints, with Reedus and co-star Sean Patrick Flanery reprising their roles from the first two films and serving as executive producers, although Troy Duffy would not return as director for the third film; instead he plans to write a series of novels.[18]

Modeling, music videos, and art edit

Reedus has modeled for Prada, Yohji Yamamoto, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Durban, Levi's, Lexus, and Morgenthal Fredrics.[citation needed] In 2015, Reedus posed for a Cruelty Free International advertisement in support of ending cosmetic tests on animals.[19]

In the mid-1990s, while working as a model, Reedus appeared in the music videos for "Wicked as It Seems" by Keith Richards, "Violently Happy" by Björk, "Flat Top" by Goo Goo Dolls, "Cat's in the Cradle" covered by Ugly Kid Joe, "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M., and "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead. In 1999, he appeared in the video for "Mean to Me" by Tonic. Since achieving fame as an actor, he has also appeared in the videos for "Judas" by Lady Gaga, "Sun Down" by Tricky (feat. Tirzah), "Gypsy Woman" by Hilary Duff, "No Cities to Love" by Sleater-Kinney, and "Curse of the Blackened Eye" by Orville Peck.[20]

Reedus is also a painter, sculptor, and photographer who has shown his artwork in galleries in New York City, Barcelona, Berlin, and Frankfurt.[10] He released a book of photography on October 31, 2013, called The Sun's Coming Up... Like a Big Bald Head. In September 2014, Reedus announced a fan-art compilation called Thanks for All the Niceness.[21]

Video games edit

Reedus reprised his role as Daryl Dixon in the 2013 video game The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, which is based on the television series.[22] He was set to star in Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro's reboot horror game Silent Hills, but Kojima left Konami and the game was canceled in 2015.[23][24][25] Reedus stars in Kojima's video game Death Stranding, released in 2019, where he takes the role of Sam Bridges, the protagonist of the game.[26][27] Reedus reprises his role in the game's sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, which is set to release in 2025.

Personal life edit

Reedus was in a five-year relationship with Danish-Peruvian ex Victoria's Secret Angel and supermodel Helena Christensen from 1998 to 2003. Despite reports to the contrary, the two were never married.[28][29] Together they have a son, born in 1999.[30][31] They have remained friends and shared joint custody of their son.

In February 2005, Reedus sustained a head injury when a truck collided with his car in Germany. His nose was reconstructed with the aid of four screws and his left eye socket with titanium.[32][33]

In 2015, during the filming of Sky, Reedus met German actress Diane Kruger;[34] the two were first seen together as a couple in July 2016.[35] In November 2018, Kruger gave birth to their daughter, Nova; his second and her first child.[36][37]

Reedus has lived in New York City since 1997.[38][39]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role(s) Notes
1997 Floating Van
Mimic Jeremy
Six Ways to Sunday Harold
1998 I'm Losing You Toby
Dark Harbor Young Man
Davis Is Dead Larry
1999 Let the Devil Wear Black Brautigan
8mm Warren Anderson
The Boondock Saints Murphy MacManus
2000 Beat Lucien Carr
Gossip Travis
Preston Tylk Jonathan Casey
Sand Jack
2001 The Beatnicks Nick Nero
2002 Luster Sextools Delivery Boy
Blade II 'Scud'
Deuces Wild Marco Vendetti
2003 Nobody Needs to Know Kurt
Tough Luck Archie
Octane Recovery Man
Overnight Himself Documentary film
2004 Until the Night Robert
Great Wall Great Medicine Norman
2005 A Lot like Love Emily's Ex At Airport Uncredited
Antibodies Polizist Schmitz
The Notorious Bettie Page Billy Neal
2006 Walls Henry Flesh Short film
A Crime Vincent Harris
I Thought of You Unknown Short film;
Also writer and director
Killer Queen Jack Trust
2007 American Gangster Detective Norman Reilly
Moscow Chill Ray Perso
2008 Hero Wanted Swain Direct-to-video
Meet Me in Berlin Unnamed American Short film
Red Canyon Mac
Dead*Line Seth Short film
Clown Lucien
Cadillac Records Chess Records Engineer
Echoes of Extinction Eric Richards
Styrofoam Soul Joe
2009 The Chase Dangerous Guy
Messengers 2: The Scarecrow John Rollins Direct-to-video
Pandorum Shepard
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day Murphy MacManus
2010 Meskada Dennis Burrows
The Conspirator Lewis Payne
Ollie Klublershturf vs. The Nazis Barry Short film
8:28 AM [fr] Stranger
2011 Hello Herman Lax Morales
2012 Night of the Templar Henry Flesh
2013 Iron Man: Rise of Technovore Frank Castle / Punisher Voice, direct-to-video
Sunlight Jr. Justin
Pawn Shop Chronicles Stanley
2014 Stretch Himself Cameo
2015 Vacation Truck Driver
Air Bauer Also executive producer
Sky Diego
2016 Triple 9 Russel Welch
2017 Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1 K.E.R.4 Voice
2024 The Bikeriders Funny Sonny
2025 John Wick Presents: Ballerina TBA Post-production
Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
2003 Charmed Nate Parks 2 episodes
2005 Masters of Horror Kirby Episode: "John Carpenter's Cigarette Burns"
2006 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Derek Lord Episode: "Influence"
13 Graves Norman Television film
2009 The Chase Dangerous Guy #1 Web series
2010 Hawaii Five-0 Anton Hesse Episode: "Pilot"
2010–2022 The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon Recurring (season 1), main (season 2–11), 148 episodes
2016 American Dad! Tim Voice, episode: "Hayley Smith, Seal Team Six"
Turbo Fast Wild Pete Voice, episode: "The Good, The Bad, and the Bugly"[40]
Voltron: Legendary Defender Rolo Voice, episode: "Taking Flight"
2016–present Ride with Norman Reedus Himself (host) 34 episodes
2017 Robot Chicken Daryl Dixon Voice, episode: "The Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking"
2018 Ballmastrz: 9009 Bacchus LaBrute Voice, episode: "Leather Passions! 2 Hearts, 2 Wheelz, Infinite Roadz. Ride Now!"
2021 Helluva Boss Striker Voice, episode: "The Harvest Moon Festival"; web series[41]
2021 The Walking Dead: Origins Daryl Dixon / Himself Episode: "Daryl's Story"
2023–present The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Daryl Dixon Lead role; also executive producer

Video games edit

Year Title Voice role Notes
2013 The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct Daryl Dixon Based on the TV series
2014 P.T. Protagonist Motion capture and likeness
2019 Death Stranding Sam Porter Bridges
2020 The Walking Dead: Onslaught Daryl Dixon Voice and likeness
Fortnite Battle Royale Likeness
2021 State of Survival Hero Model
2025 Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Sam Porter Bridges Motion capture and likeness

Music videos edit

Year Title Artist Role(s) Ref.
1992 "Wicked as It Seems" Keith Richards N/A [citation needed]
1994 "Violently Happy" Björk
1995 "Strange Currencies" R.E.M.
"Fake Plastic Trees" Radiohead
2011 "Judas" Lady Gaga Judas Iscariot
2015 "It Just Feels" Jihae N/A [42]
2020 "Don't Chase the Dead" Marilyn Manson [43]
2021 "Never Look Back" Run the Jewels N/A
2022 "The Curse of the Blackened Eye" Orville Peck The Curse

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
1997 New England Film & Video Festival Special Jury Award for Best Acting Performance Floating Won [44]
1998 Gotham Awards Breakthrough Actor Six Ways to Sunday Nominated [45]
2012 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor on Television The Walking Dead Nominated [46]
Satellite Awards Best Television Ensemble (shared with cast) Won [47]
IGN Awards Best TV Hero Won [48]
IGN People's Choice Awards Best TV Hero Won
2014 EWwy Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated [49]
New York City Horror Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award Won [50]
2015 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor on Television The Walking Dead Nominated [51]
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best TV Supporting Actor Won [52]
2017 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series Nominated [53]
2018 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Unstructured Reality Series Ride with Norman Reedus Nominated [54]
2019 People's Choice Awards The Male TV Star of 2019 The Walking Dead Nominated [55]
The Drama TV Star of 2019 Nominated
The Game Awards Best Performance Death Stranding Nominated [56]
2020 British Academy Games Awards Performer in a Leading Role Nominated [57]
D.I.C.E. Awards Outstanding Achievement in Character Nominated [58]
2022 Hollywood Walk of Fame Television The Walking Dead Won [59]
2024 Saturn Awards Dan Curtis Legacy Award The Walking Dead Won

References edit

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  3. ^ "UPI Almanac for Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019". United Press International. January 6, 2019. Archived from the original on September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019. actor Norman Reedus in 1969 (age 50)
  4. ^ Saunders, Jeraldine (January 6, 2017). "Friday January 6, 2017 for 01/06/17". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  5. ^ Wiese, Jason (May 28, 2019). "Everything Fans Should Know About Norman Reedus And His Family". CINEMABLEND.
  6. ^ Cracefissa "Hellen" Butera [1])
  7. ^ Santilli, Morgana (March 28, 2019). "The Untold Truth Of Norman Reedus". Looper.
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  9. ^ "Norman Reedus". IMDb. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
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  34. ^ Stone, Natalie (June 6, 2018). "Norman Reedus and ex Helena Christensen Reunite at Son's High School Graduation". ew.com.
  35. ^ Merriman, Rebecca (July 20, 2016). "Was Diane Kruger at Tuscan villa party with rumoured fling Norman Reedus weeks before Joshua Jackson split?". Mirror.
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External links edit

  • Official website
  • Norman Reedus at IMDb