Scott Wilson: A Hershel For All Seasons

Scott Wilson: A Hershel For All Seasons

- David A. Krzisnik

In a long and distinguished career that spans almost fifty years, Scott Wilson has appeared alongside the likes of Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, and numerable other Hollywood luminaries. Mr. Wilson has worked steadily over the past five decades portraying a wonderful variety of characters on screen and television, and yet he has never been a household name. That all changed with his portrayal of Hershel Greene on AMC’s hit zombie epic, The Walking Dead. And while many non-horror folks may still not recognise this actor’s name, followers of The Walking Dead certainly know the name of Hershel Greene, the kindly, insightful, and thought-provoking farmer-veterinarian who for two-and-a-half seasons was the veritable glue that held together Rick’s band of survivors.

I met Mr. Wilson at a recent U.S. comics and horror convention, and like his alter ego this is truly a graceful, soft-spoken, passionate, and intense man who had nothing but the greatest of praise for his co-stars and his time as Hershel.

The admiration of his fans was greeted with mutual respect from the man who saved Carl Grimes from certain death, fought off walkers despite an amputated leg, combated disease within the prison-like Father Damian of Molokai, and continuously cautioned calmness and collaboration to Rick and company.

There’s an innate calm and gentility to Scott Wilson. Speaking with him isn’t at all like talking to a Hollywood actor. Rather, it’s like speaking with an acquaintance who is at once both gracious, yet guarded, serene but intense. There’s not only charm and wisdom in those pale blue eyes, but close up one can see the potential for great intensity. The dulcet tones of his slight southern drawl (Wilson was born and raised in Georgia) lulls and disarms. It’s no wonder that SheriffRick Grimes fell under the spell of Hershel’s homespun wisdom time and time again.