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Jeffrey Dean Morgan

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Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Morgan at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1966-04-22) April 22, 1966 (age 58)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1991–present
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Spouses
Anya Longwell
​
​
(m. 1992; div. 2003)​
​
(m. 2019)​
Children2

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (born April 22, 1966[1]) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the character Negan Smith in the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead (2016–2022) and its spin-off The Walking Dead: Dead City (2023–present), for both of which he has received critical acclaim. He has also appeared in television roles such as John Winchester in the CW fantasy horror series Supernatural (2005–2007; 2019), Denny Duquette in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy (2006–2009), Jason Crouse in the CBS political drama series The Good Wife (2015–2016), as well as film roles including William Gallagher in P.S. I Love You (2007), the Comedian in the superhero film Watchmen (2009), Clay in The Losers (2010), Sgt. Maj Andrew Tanner in Red Dawn (2012), and Agent Harvey Russell in Rampage (2018).

Early life

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Morgan was born in Seattle, Washington to Sandy Thomas and Richard Dean Morgan.[2] He has French, Scottish and Italian ancestry. He grew up in Kirkland, Washington, and attended Ben Franklin Elementary School and Rose Hill Junior High.[3] He graduated from Lake Washington High School in 1984 and briefly attended Skagit Valley College to pursue a career in basketball. Following a leg injury that ended his hope of becoming a professional player, he left school to pursue his other interests such as painting and writing. While helping a friend move from Seattle to Los Angeles, intending only to stay for a weekend, he decided to live there permanently to pursue acting. "I fell into acting, found out I had a little talent and pursued it."[2][3]

Career

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Starting with Uncaged (1991), Morgan has appeared in over 25 feature films. However, the bulk of his work has been in television. He was a major character in the 1996–97 television series The Burning Zone, appearing in eleven of its nineteen episodes.

In 2005 and 2006, Morgan simultaneously appeared in three television series: in the CW series Supernatural as John Winchester, in a recurring role on ABC's Grey's Anatomy as heart transplant patient Denny Duquette, and as Judah Botwin in two episodes of the Showtime series Weeds. He has also guest-starred in a number of television series, including ER, JAG, Walker, Texas Ranger, Angel, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Sliders, The O.C. and Monk. In 2007, Morgan was cast in a proposed project by Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes. The series, tentatively titled "Correspondents", was to have started production in summer 2007. ABC instead picked up a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy, called Private Practice, that was also created by Rhimes. As a result, "Correspondents" was shelved.

In 2007, Morgan starred in the film The Accidental Husband, which finished filming in March 2007 and was released on DVD in 2009.

Jeffrey starred in the thriller The Resident in 2011. He also appeared in the drama film Days of Wrath in 2008.

In 2009, Morgan portrayed The Comedian, a cigar-chomping antihero in Watchmen, based on Alan Moore's graphic novel.[4] In the same year, Morgan appeared in Taking Woodstock, and played Clay in a comic book film adaptation of The Losers. He also played Jeb Turnbull in the DC comic book film Jonah Hex.

Morgan at the premiere of Watchmen in 2009

Morgan appeared in the crime thriller Texas Killing Fields as a homicide detective in 2011.[5] The following year, Morgan starred in the television drama series Magic City, which centered on mob life in 1950s Miami. The same year, Morgan starred in the horror-thriller The Possession, and had a supporting role in the war film Red Dawn.

In 2014, Morgan played Charlie Peters, the owner of the Cake House, in the season finale of Shameless.

In November 2014, Morgan was cast as Joe DiMaggio opposite Kelli Garner as Marilyn Monroe in The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, a Lifetime four-hour miniseries based on J. Randy Taraborrelli's book of the same name.[6]

In 2015, Morgan portrayed Deaf Smith in Texas Rising, a five-part mini-series which aired on the History Channel. Also in 2015, Morgan became a regular cast member for season 2 of the CBS sci-fi drama Extant. He appeared in an uncredited role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as Bruce Wayne's father, Thomas Wayne.

In 2015, Morgan took on the role of freelance investigator Jason Crouse, opposite Julianna Margulies, in the CBS TV series The Good Wife, until that series concluded in the spring of 2016. That year Morgan began his most noted role to date, as Negan Smith on the AMC TV series The Walking Dead. He made his first appearance in the sixth-season finale on April 3, 2016, serving as the primary antagonist of the seventh and eighth seasons and later an anti-hero since the ninth season. He later lent his voice to the character when he was added as DLC in the fighting game Tekken 7.[7] In 2015, he had a lead role in Jonás Cuarón's thriller film Desierto.[8]

On May 28, 2017, Morgan drove the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car to lead the starting field of the 101st Indianapolis 500.[9] In September, Morgan appeared in a commercial for the online game Evony.

Morgan was 5th billed in the Dwayne Johnson film Rampage, released in April 2018.

Morgan reprised his role as John Winchester in the thirteenth episode of the fourteenth season of Supernatural, which was also the 300th episode of the series.[10] It aired on February 7, 2019.

In August 2022, Morgan was cast in the fourth season of The Boys; while initially reported to be a recurring role,[11] on the season's release in 2024, Morgan was credited as a main cast member, portraying "Joe Kessler", a hallucination/alter ego of Billy Butcher.[12]

Personal life

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Morgan was married to actress Anya Longwell from 1992 to 2003.[13] In 2007, he was briefly engaged to his former Weeds co-star Mary-Louise Parker;[14] their engagement ended in April 2008.[15]

In 2009, actress and producer Sherrie Rose told Us Weekly that she had a son with Morgan, born circa 2004–2005.[16] Morgan has not confirmed this.

In 2009, Morgan started a relationship with actress Hilarie Burton after being set up on a blind date through his Supernatural co-star Jensen Ackles and Ackles's wife, Danneel, with whom Burton co-starred on One Tree Hill. The couple's son was born on March 14, 2010.[17][18] Eight years later, their daughter was born on February 16, 2018.[19] On October 5, 2019, the couple got married,[20] although many erroneously speculated they had married in 2014.[20][21][22] The wedding was officiated by Ackles.[23]

Morgan and Burton have made their home in Rhinebeck in Dutchess County, New York, on a 100-acre working farm in the Hudson Valley with cows, ducks, chickens, alpacas, donkeys, and an emu.[24] Since 2014, they have been co-owners (along with Morgan's friend, actor Paul Rudd) of Samuel's Sweet Shop, a Rhinebeck candy store they saved from being closed after the previous owner, a friend of theirs, died suddenly.[25]

In 2019, Morgan purchased an apartment in the NoHo neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City.[26]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 Uncaged Sharkey
To Cross the Rubicon Rod
1995 Dillinger and Capone Jack Bennett
Undercover Heat Ramone
1996 In the Blink of an Eye Jessie Television film
1997 Legal Deceit Todd Hunter
1999 Road Kill Bobby
2003 Something More Daniel Short film
2004 Dead & Breakfast The Sheriff
Six: The Mark Unleashed Tom Newman Direct-to-DVD
2005 Chasing Ghosts Det. Cole Davies Direct-to-DVD
2006 Jam Dale Television film
2007 Live! Rick
Kabluey Brad
Fred Claus Unnamed man getting parking ticket Cameo
P.S. I Love You William Gallagher
2008 The Accidental Husband Patrick Sullivan Direct-to-DVD
Days of Wrath Bryan Gordon
2009 Watchmen Edward Blake / Comedian
Taking Woodstock Dan
2010 Shanghai Connor
The Losers Clay
2011 The Resident Max
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding Jude
Texas Killing Fields Brian Heigh
The Courier The Courier Direct-to-VOD, also executive producer[27]
2012 The Possession Clyde Brenek
Red Dawn Sgt. Maj. Andrew Tanner
2014 The Salvation Henry Delarue
They Came Together Frank
2015 Solace Joe Merriwether
Heist Luke Vaughn Direct-to-VOD
Guns for Hire Bruce
Desierto Sam
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Thomas Wayne Uncredited
2018 Rampage Harvey Russell
2020 The Postcard Killings Jacob Kanon Also executive producer[28]
Walkaway Joe Cal McCarthy
2021 The Unholy Gerry Fenn
2022 The Integrity of Joseph Chambers Police Chief
Fall James Conner
2024 Bloody Axe Wound Butch Slater Also producer[29]
TBA Nowhere Men Ed Deerman Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 Extreme Jack Hawkins 2 episodes
JAG Weapons Officer Episode: "Shadow"
1996 Sliders Sid Episode: "El Sid"
1996–1997 The Burning Zone Dr. Edward Marcase Main cast
2000 Walker, Texas Ranger Jake Hobart Episode: "Child of Hope"
2001 ER Firefighter Larkin Episode: "The Crossing"
2002 The Practice Daniel Glenn Episode: The Test"
JAG CIA Technician Wally 2 episodes
Angel Sam Ryan Episode: "Provider"
The Division Father William Natali Episode: "Forgive Me, Father"
2003 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Undercover Agent #1 Episode: "All for Our Country"
Star Trek: Enterprise Damron Episode: "Carpenter Street"
2004 The Handler Mike 2 episodes
Tru Calling Geoffrey Pine Episode: "Two Pair"
Monk Steven Leight Episode: "Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan"
2005 The O.C. Joe Zukowski Episode: "The Accomplice"
Weeds Judah Botwin 2 episodes
2005–2007; 2019 Supernatural John Winchester / Azazel Recurring; 13 episodes
2006–2009 Grey's Anatomy Denny Duquette Recurring (seasons 2–3, 5); 23 episodes
2012–2013 Magic City Ike Evans Main role
2014 Shameless Charlie Peters Episode: "Lazarus"
2015 The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe Joe DiMaggio Miniseries
Texas Rising "Deaf" Smith Miniseries
Extant James Daniel "JD" Richter Main role
2015–2016 The Good Wife Jason Crouse Main role (season 7)[30]
2016–2022 The Walking Dead Negan Smith Special guest star (season 6), main cast (seasons 7–11); 64 episodes
2017 Robot Chicken Voice; Episode: "The Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking"
2017–2019 Ride with Norman Reedus Himself 2 episodes
2020 Friday Night in with the Morgans Himself 6 episodes, also executive producer
2021 The Walking Dead: Origins Himself Episode: "Negan's Story"
2022 Leopard Skin LaSalle Main role; 8 episodes
2023–present The Walking Dead: Dead City Negan Smith Main role; also executive producer
2024–present The Boys Joe Kessler[12] Main cast (Season 4); 6 episodes

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2019 Tekken 7 Negan Smith Downloadable content

References

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  1. ^ Boland, Yasmin (August 16, 2021). "Horoscope". TV Guide. p. 72.
  2. ^ a b "Jeffrey Dean Morgan .Net". Jdmorgan.net. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Keynote Speaker | AAE Speakers Bureau". www.aaespeakers.com. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Watchmen Cast Confirmed!". Superhero Hype!. July 26, 2007. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  5. ^ "Jeffrey Dean Morgan Joins Sam Worthington in The Fields". Dreadcentral.com. February 17, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  6. ^ "Jeffrey Dean Morgan Set as 'Marilyn's' Joe DiMaggio for Lifetime (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. November 25, 2014. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  7. ^ ‘Walking Dead’: Negan to Be Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan Variety
  8. ^ "Jeffrey Dean Morgan to Star in Jonas Cuaron's 'Desierto' (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. January 10, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  9. ^ Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 25, 2017). "Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan to Drive Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car at 101st Indianapolis 500". Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (December 12, 2018). "'Supernatural': Jeffrey Dean Morgan To Reprise John Winchester Role In Upcoming Episode". Deadline. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  11. ^ Hatchett, Keisha (August 25, 2022). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan Joins The Boys Season 4 in a Recurring Role". TVLine. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Dirty Business". The Boys. July 4, 2024. Amazon Prime Video. Kessler/Butcher:"I killed Ezekiel for you. I am inside of you. I am you. Which is why when I tell you you want to do this, I am literally telling you that you fucking want to do this. So don't you worry, Billy my boy. Daddy's home.
  13. ^ "Nevada Marriage Index, 1956–2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VVRP-JDM : accessed February 18, 2016), Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Anya Longwell, May 30, 1992; from "Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956–2005," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2007); citing Clark, Nevada, United States, County Book 618, p. C358929, archive film number 924712, Nevada State Health Division, Carson City, and Clark County Marriage Bureau, Las Vegas.
  14. ^ Rush, George (February 14, 2008). "Marcus Parker and Jeffrey Dean Morgan Engaged". The New York Daily News.
  15. ^ "Marcus Parker, Fiancé Break Off Engagement". People. April 8, 2008. Archived from the original on April 9, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  16. ^ "Jeffrey Dean Morgan learns he has a son". TODAY.com. March 27, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Hilarie Burton Welcome Baby". Us Weekly. May 6, 2010. Archived from the original on May 8, 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
  18. ^ Marc Malkin (November 15, 2011). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hilarie Burton Talk Baby Son Gus, Parenthood: "It's Been Spectacular"". E!Online. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  19. ^ "Hilarie Burton on Instagram: "As some of you know, @jeffreydeanmorgan is off in Europe getting ready to do some big conventions. And he's self aware enough to know his..."". Instagram. March 6, 2018. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Highfill, Samantha (October 7, 2019). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hilarie Burton tie the knot in 'intimate ceremony'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Who is Jeffrey Dean Morgan married to?". Metro.us. March 5, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  22. ^ Nepales, Ruben V. (July 23, 2015). "Scruffy, sexy, funny Jeffrey". inquirer.net. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  23. ^ Chen, Joyce (May 1, 2020). "Hilarie Burton and Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Wedding Was a "Big Thank You" to Loved Ones". theknot.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  24. ^ Rorke, Robert (July 22, 2015). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan is on TV's Most Wanted List". New York Post.
  25. ^ Kendall Fisher (October 24, 2016). "Friendly Reminder: Jeffrey Dean Morgan Co-owns a Candy Shop with Paul Rudd". E!Online. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  26. ^ Lippe-Mcgraw, Jordi (April 4, 2019). "'Walking Dead' Star Jeffrey Dean Morgan Buys $2.85 Million Manhattan Apartment". Architectural Digest.
  27. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 12, 2010). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan In 'The Courier'". Deadline. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  28. ^ Harvey, Dennis (March 13, 2020). "'The Postcard Killings': Film Review". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  29. ^ Melzer, James (December 27, 2024). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan Didn't Want The Lead Role in His New Horror Comedy, and for Good Reason". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 6, 2015). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan Joins 'The Good Wife' For Season 7". Deadline. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
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