Andrew Lincoln played Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead from 2010 until his departure in 2018. Here are 10 Things you didn’t know about the British-born actor.
For nine seasons, fans saw the apocalyptic world of The Walking Dead through the eyes of Rick Grimes, a one-time Sheriff’s Deputy. While every aspect of Rick’s life was explored during that time, actor Andrew Lincoln, who played the role, is more of a mystery.
1. Real Surname: Clutterbuck
Although Andrew Lincoln has been known by that name for many years, it is not the one he was born with. Instead, Lincoln’s full given name was Andrew James Clutterbuck, evidently changing his surname professionally upon becoming an actor.
2. Half South African
Lincoln is known as a Brit, being born in London and raised in both Hull and Somerset. However, some of his recent ancestral ties are to another country altogether. He’s half South African through his mother, who originally hails from there.
3. First TV role was in a British Sitcom
To date, Lincoln has had major roles in television series such as The Walking Dead, This Life and Afterlife. However, his debut role on the small screen was much more low key, playing a character named “Terry” in an episode of Drop the Dead Donkey in 1994.
4. Co-starred with John Simm in his film debut
Lincoln made his film debut in 1995, with Boston Kickout. A drama, the film was set in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. Starring alongside Lincoln was actor John Simm, later known for his roles as The Master in Doctor Who and Sam Tyler in Life on Mars.
5. Trained at RADA
Considering that Lincoln has maintained a successful actor career for almost three decades, it should come as no surprise that he was professionally trained in his craft. In this case, he honed his skills at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), one of the finest and most prestigious acting schools in the world.
6. Significantly older than Kiera Knightley
Besides Rick Grimes, another of Lincoln’s famous roles is as Mark or “the sign guy” in the 2003 Christmas-based romantic comedy Love Actually. In the film, Mark is secretly in love with Juliet (Kiera Knightley) despite her recently marrying his friend Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Thus, Mark makes a grand, albeit secret gesture to show his love.
Despite pursuing Knightley’s character in the film, Lincoln is actually a lot older than the Pirates of the Carribbean actress in real life. He was born in 1973, Knightley in 1985.
7. Son-in-Law of a Rock Star
Lincoln married his wife, Gael Anderson, in 2006. As it turns out, she has a famous parent. Gael’s father is Ian Anderson, the flautist and vocalist of rock band Jethro Tull.
8. Supports Manchester United
Football (known as ‘soccer’ in North America) is a significant cultural part of UK life. Seeing as Lincoln is originally from England, it makes sense that he is no different. However, another person involved in The Walking Dead revealed the actor’s affiliations.
In a 2016 interview with ESPN, Executive Producer (and Arsenal) supporter Gale Anne Hurd was asked whether there were any sport-based rivalries among the cast. Hurd replied, “Plenty. Andy [Andrew Lincoln] is a Man United fan, Lennie James and Steven Yeun are Tottenham supporters and the late great Governor, David Morrissey, supports Liverpool.”
9. Stayed in touch with Chandler Riggs
Lincoln and on-screen son Chandler Riggs (who played Carl Grimes) have both left The Walking Dead. However, this does not mean that all contact between the two actors is cut off. In an interview with Digital Spy, Riggs said, “He’s in England, so it’s kind of hard for us to meet up and hang out. But we catch up on email every now and again. Literally email, because he’s had a flip phone since…”
10. Met Tom Payne years before TWD
Fellow Brit Tom Payne joined The Walking Dead cast in 2016, playing Paul “Jesus” Rovia. However, Lincoln and Payne had met long before the latter joined AMC’s zombie apocalypse series. They were first acquainted in 1999, when Lincoln hosted an event at Payne’s local drama group. Ten years later, they played uncle and nephew in an ITV adpatation of Wuthering Heights, based on Emily Brontë‘s novel.
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