10 Actors Who Became Cult Heroes From 1 TV Role

8. Norman Reedus - The Walking Dead

Norman ReedusThe Role That Made Him A Cult Hero: Playing badass redneck with a heart, Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead. Fan-Favourite Quote: 'Shoot me again? You best pray I'm dead.' Norman Reedus appeared in quite a large body of films in the 1990's and 2000's. His biggest role being in The Boondock Saints back in 1999. Popping up in mostly short films and straight-to-DVD releases since then, Reedus made himself a name in the cult community for his performance as Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead, more than 10 years later. Reedus's character is an unconventional anti-hero sort of fellow, and if we know anything about what fandoms love, it's just that. Daryl is written as a hardcore zombie-killing badass who doesn't have time to tolerate anyone's nonsense, and that alone is enough to get him the male vote. The fact that he has the ability to surprise us by showing heart and looking out for others is another one of his appealing traits, which certainly helps him get the female vote. Plus, his obvious thing for Carol is ridiculously cute in a so-mismatched-it-works kinda' way. Reedus has continued to act in a few short films and straight-to DVD films since starring on The Walking Dead. The difference this time being that they probably have a lot more people watching them. Thanks to Daryl Dixon.
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Contributor

Joe is a television junkie. A film fanatic. A pop culture know-it-all. An interactive media masters student, and a bass player. 22 years old and Irish. Thinks Netflix is a Godsend.