Chandler Riggs captured the hearts of television audiences in 2010 when he landed the role of Carl Grimes on the hit AMC series The Walking Dead at just 10 years old. Over the show’s nine seasons, viewers watched Chandler grow up on screen, transforming from an innocent young child into a gritty zombie apocalypse survivor.
Chandler’s maturation into a young adult paralleled Carl’s coming-of-age story arc on the show. But how did this child actor emerge from obscurity to play an integral part in one of TV’s most popular and intense dramas of the decade?
LChandler Riggs anding His Breakout Role
Chandler Riggs was born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 27, 1999. From a young age, he expressed interest in acting and performed in local theater productions. When he was 10 years old, he booked a few small roles in short indie films and an episode of PBS Kids.
That same year, AMC announced they had ordered a pilot for a new series adapted from Robert Kirkman’s graphic novel series, The Walking Dead. Chandler auditioned for the role of Carl Grimes, the son of the protagonist, Sheriff Rick Grimes.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Rick Grimes | Protagonist and leader of survivor group |
| Carl Grimes | Rick’s son, key member of the group |
| Lori Grimes | Rick’s wife and Carl’s mother |
Impressing producers with his natural acting ability, Chandler won the pivotal role. This was his big break – The Walking Dead marked his transition from a working child actor to a burgeoning star with ever-increasing prominence.
What was it like for Chandler Riggs working on such an intense TV show at a young age?
Landing a career-defining role in a hit drama series while just entering one’s teen years came with unique challenges for Chandler. He spent his formative childhood years growing up on the set of a show centered around horror, gore, and the fragility of human life.
In interviews, Chandler has spoken candidly about the difficulties of portraying and processing such emotionally heavy content during his adolescence. He credits the support of his parents and working with the show’s child psychologist with helping him stay grounded.
Overall, Chandler conveys pride over playing Carl and appreciates that the role allowed him to grow as an actor and individual. The intimacy and care of the entire Walking Dead cast and crew also helped provide him with stability and guidance during his transformation from a child into a young man on international television.
Experiences & Perspective Gained as a Young Lead Actor
Chandler Riggs spent ages 10 to 18 starring on The Walking Dead. In interviews since he wrapped filming, Riggs frequently reflects on how much he matured and learned during those integral developmental years as a lead actor on a monumental show.
Chandler Riggs Honing His Craft
Beginning acting at age 10, Riggs credits growing up on set with honing his craft. He gained proficiency with intense scenes exploring weighty emotional dynamics. Riggs also improved his versatility and range, depicting Carl Grimes’ multifaceted coming-of-age story arc.
The young actor showed dedication to his artistry, putting in extra effort to prepare. For example, Riggs worked with the special effects makeup team to exaggerate his eye socket prior to Carl losing an eye in season 6. This extra level of preparation propelled Chandler’s performance and aided his growth into a consummate professional actor.
“I’ve kind of grown up as a person and an actor.” – Chandler Riggs reflecting on playing Carl Grimes
Chandler Riggs New Outlook Gained
In addition to acting skills, playing Carl Grimes impacted Chandler Riggs on a personal level by offering him an unusual viewpoint on life. He explains that seeing fictitious loved ones die, symbolizing the abrupt loss of joy and innocence, made him appreciate his real-life family more. Overall, facing premature adult issues through Carl’s narrative ingrained an altered sense of mortality in Chandler from a young age.
Riggs has also conveyed feeling like an “old soul,” as he spent his youth focused on portraying weighty storylines instead of carefree childhood activities. He believes creatively pouring so much energy into an adult role granted him emotional intelligence and perspective beyond his years.
juggernauts_tv_qa
How was Chandler Riggs’ performance on The Walking Dead received by critics?
Critics praised Chandler Riggs’ performance as Carl Grimes from his debut on The Walking Dead. Despite his young age, reviewers hailed his nuanced depiction of Carl’s development from a helpless child to a complex leader hardened by trauma yet retaining innocence and morality.
Critics took note of Chandler’s natural acting ability and commitment to growth in his craft. Many reviews spotlight his standout dramatic performances in intense scenes opposite veteran actors that anchored the show. Overall, Chandler earned consistent critical acclaim for embodying one of television’s most fascinating childhood into adulthood coming-of-age story arcs.
Did Chandler Riggs act in other shows and movies during and after The Walking Dead?
Yes, Chandler Riggs continued acting in film and television during and after his eight-season run as Carl Grimes on AMC’s The Walking Dead:
- While starring on The Walking Dead, he played supporting roles in a few films including Get Low, Terminus, and Keep Watching
- His most notable film role came as the lead in the 2019 indie horror movie Only
- On television, he booked guest appearances on shows like The Wrong Mans and NBC’s Parenthood
- Riggs has focused more on music lately but still acts occasionally, like his recent guest spot on ABC’s A Million Little Things
So although Carl Grimes remains Chandler Riggs’ definitive acting credit so far, he continues to book smaller parts and explore creative passions like music and filmmaking. Fans anticipate what diverse creative avenues the former child star pursues next!
Chandler Riggs Life After The Walking Dead
In 2018, Chandler Riggs’ character Carl was shockingly killed off on The Walking Dead. After eight years growing up in the unrelenting zombie apocalypse, this marked the end of Riggs’ formative acting role.
Riggs was famously admitted to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) after The Walking Dead wrapped filming. He began attending in 2017 while still working on the show and continues studying there now.
Chandler Riggs Creative Pursuits
Fans wondered if Riggs would leave Hollywood for good for college. However, he continues acting and creative pursuits alongside his studies at UCLA. For example, Riggs directed and starred in the aforementioned indie horror Only in 2019.
Chandler also actively creates music. He taught himself piano early in his career between Walking Dead filming. Riggs recently released EPs under the name Eclipse featuring his original pop songs. He has cited musical inspiration from artists like Jon Bellion.
“I absolutely love acting and directing and filmmaking. I want to be doing all that stuff, but college is also important to me.” – Chandler Riggs on balancing entertainment and education
Chandler Riggs Maintaining Authenticity & Wellness
As a young public figure who grew up on screen from childhood, Chandler Riggs’ experience differs from typical young Hollywood fare. However, he faces the familiar challenge of balancing work, privacy, education, and personal growth.
Riggs leans on family and therapists for grounding. He also sets firm boundaries with his public persona to maintain authenticity. After facing complex issues from an early age, he is now thoughtfully navigating early adulthood out of the limelight.
Chandler Riggs juggernauts_tv_table2
| Year | Age | Life Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 10 | Cast as Carl Grimes in The Walking Dead pilot |
| 2011 | 11 | The Walking Dead Season 1 premieres on AMC |
| 2012 | 12 | The Walking Dead Season 2 airs |
| 2013 | 13 | The Walking Dead Season 3 airs |
| 2014 | 14 | The Walking Dead Season 4 airs |
| 2015 | 15 | The Walking Dead Season 5 airs |
| 2016 | 16 | The Walking Dead Season 6 airs; Chandler films graphic eye socket scene |
| 2017 | 17 | The Walking Dead Season 7 airs; Chandler begins studying at UCLA |
| 2018 | 18 | The Walking Dead Season 8 airs; final scenes as Carl Grimes |
| 2019 | 19 | Attends UCLA and stars in indie horror movie Only |
| 2022 | 22 | Continues college and musical pursuits |
Chandler Riggs Hobbies & Fun Facts
Outside of acting and music, Chandler Riggs enjoys interests typical of many young adults his age:
- Anime fandom – massive anime and manga enthusiast; favorite series include Dragon Ball Z, Death Note, One Piece
- Video gaming – lifelong gamer who particularly enjoys Nintendo games like Pokemon and Super Smash Bros Melee; also plays Call of Duty and RPGs
- Theme parks – big roller coaster fan who frequents Six Flags, Universal Studios, and Disney parks with friends
- YouTube nostalgia critic – runs a channel reviewing kids movies from his childhood
It’s evident Riggs maintains a sense of goofy, grounded fun typical of 23-year-olds despite growing up under unusual public scrutiny. He focuses energy on college, creative outlets, and enjoying time with loved ones.
Chandler Riggs Career After Walking Dead
Currently, Chandler Riggs’ public persona has quieted down compared to the height of his fame playing Carl Grimes. He discusses wanting to finish school at UCLA before actively pursuing new film projects.
That said, Riggs still takes smaller acting roles when possible, like guest spots on network shows. He also devotes energy towards honing his filmmaking, music production, and online content creation skills. Riggs conveys he would love to write, produce, direct, and act in his own indie movies someday.
Essentially, Chandler Riggs lays the groundwork for diverse entertainment industry careers while prioritizing college. Fans will have to stay tuned to see what creative directions the former child star pursues next!
juggernauts_tv_qa2
Why did The Walking Dead kill off Chandler Riggs’ character Carl Grimes?
Carl Grimes’ abrupt death in The Walking Dead Season 8 shocked fans, given Chandler Riggs was one of the show’s few remaining original cast members. Showrunner Scott Gimple said the tragic twist aimed to reconceptualize the harsh reality of the zombie apocalypse headed into the next season.
Specifically, Carl’s death reinforced that no character should be considered safe. It also shook protagonists Rick and Michonne to their cores, informing their mindsets and motivations moving forward. For Chandler Riggs’ career, being written off The Walking Dead allowed him to begin college and pursue new creative avenues with more flexibility.
What was Chandler Riggs’ reaction when he found out Carl would be killed off?
Chandler Riggs revealed feeling devastated when The Walking Dead producers informed him Carl Grimes would be killed off in Season 8. After growing up on the show for eight years, Riggs had envisioned seeing Carl’s coming-of-age narrative through the series’ conclusion.
However, Riggs came to terms with the creative decision, praising the shocking emotional impact of Carl’s death. He conveys pride at playing such a pivotal role in the show’s mythos so young. Overall, he speaks graciously about his experience on the cultural phenomenon series that shaped his adolescent years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chandler Riggs’ portrayal of Carl Grimes on The Walking Dead cemented him as one of television’s most renowned child stars and promising young talents. He exhibited incredible acting range and emotional intelligence inhabiting Carl’s complex arc from ages 10 to 18.
Riggs’ knockout performance captured the hearts of critics and fans alike as he matured on screen each season. Off screen, he gained perspective by growing up fast amidst fictional adversity while still maintaining his support system and childhood innocence.
Now pursuing college and smaller creative projects, Chandler Riggs lays the foundation for potential entertainment careers ahead. No matter where his interests take him next, Riggs will forever be considered television royalty for his raw, inspired turn as the young phenom that was Carl Grimes.
