Actor Scott Wilson was known for playing conflicted characters, bringing an intensity to nearly every role he played. He was probably best known recently for his role as Hershel Greene on AMC’s The Walking Dead, but he had a long and storied career in both film and television. Sadly, Wilson passed away Saturday morning at the age of 76.
We don’t yet know the full details yet, but Wilson was fighting a battle with cancer. The Walking Dead twitter account released the following message regarding Wilson’s passing:
We are deeply saddened to report that Scott Wilson, the incredible actor who played Hershel on #TheWalkingDead, has passed away at the age of 76. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in paradise, Scott. We love you! pic.twitter.com/guNI7zSqDZ
— The Walking Dead (@TheWalkingDead) October 7, 2018
Wilson last appeared in the fourth season of The Walking Dead as Hershel, who owned a farmhouse where Rick and his band of survivors stayed. However, Wilson’s Hershel will be returning in the upcoming ninth season of The Walking Dead, although the extent of his role is not known at this time.
Wilson first appeared on film in 1967’s In the Heat of the Night, and appeared later that year in the film based on Truman Capote’s novel In Cold Blood. Some other notable films Wilson appeared in include 1974’s The Great Gatsby, The Right Stuff, Monster, and The Ninth Configuration.
Besides The Walking Dead, Wilson appeared in several other TV shows, such as The Twilight Zone, CSI, and The X-Files.
A spokesperson for AMC gave the following statement about Wilson:
Scott will always be remembered as a great actor, and we all feel fortunate to have known him as an even better person. The character he embodied on The Walking Dead, Hershel, lived at the emotional core of the show. Like Scott in our lives, Hershel was a character whose actions continue to inform our characters’ choices to this day. Our hearts go out to his wife, family, friends and to the millions of fans who loved him. Scott will be missed.
The first role of Wilson’s that stands out to me is of George Wilson in 1974’s The Great Gatsby. He brought a gravity to a somewhat thankless role, and leant a level of emotion to the character that seemed to be missing from the rest of the film.
Wilson will be missed, and our hearts go out to his friends and family. Tune into the ninth season of The Walking Dead to see Wilson in one of his final roles.