Key Points

Jeffrey Dean Morgan reveals his career-defining role as Denny Duquette in Grey's Anatomy ended his audition struggles. The actor credits the part for landing him major roles in Watchmen and The Walking Dead. His wife Hilarie Burton encouraged him to try hosting, leading to NBC's Destination X. Morgan reflects on his unexpected career path with humor and gratitude.

Key Points: Jeffrey Dean Morgan Credits Grey's Anatomy Role for Career Success

  • Morgan says Grey's Anatomy role ended his audition struggles
  • Denny Duquette led to Watchmen and The Walking Dead casting
  • Credits wife Hilarie Burton for pushing him into hosting
  • New NBC show Destination X marks latest career pivot
3 min read

Jeffrey Dean Morgan says he has auditioned zero times since playing Denny Duquette in 'Grey's Anatomy'

The Walking Dead star reveals how his Grey's Anatomy role as Denny Duquette changed his career—without another audition since.

"My whole career launched out of that character. — Jeffrey Dean Morgan"

Washington DC, June 16

Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan is best known for playing Negan, the unpredictable, foul-mouthed, bat-wielding showman of the apocalypse in 'The Walking Dead' universe, reported People.

"That show honestly gave me a career. I was doing that, Weeds and Supernatural simultaneously... I've auditioned zero times since playing Denny Duquette," said Morgan.

Jeffrey won over fans 19 years ago on the ABC medical drama as the dreamy heart transplant patient who appears in seasons 2 and 3 and who proposes to Katherine Heigl's Dr. Izzie Stevens on his deathbed. Morgan credits the breakthrough performance with launching his career in his 40s after years of failed pilots and guest star spots, reported People.

"I'd been kicking around Hollywood for a long time, but nobody certainly knew who I was," said Morgan. "My whole career launched out of that character."

"P.S. I Love You I got because of that show," Morgan said while discussing his role in the 2007 rom-com opposite Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler.

"Director Zack Snyder told me that he cast me in Watchmen because he saw me as Denny. How you watch Denny and go, 'Well, that's the nihilistic comedian right there,' is beyond me," Morgan shared of his 2009 comic-book film character.

In 2015, Morgan revealed at PasCon that he was offered the coveted role of The Walking Dead villain, a part he was all too eager to accept despite initially receiving very few details.

However, Morgan recently decided to step outside of his comfort zone and become the TV host for NBC's competition series Destination X.

"I'm still not actually completely sure how the hell this happened," he said, adding, "I am not like a typical host. I'm not Ryan Seacrest -- who I love, and I think he's excellent at his job -- but that's not me. I'm a bit on the crass side, and I've got a very sarcastic sense of humour, and I didn't picture it, reported People.

Producers knew they had their man, but Morgan needed more convincing. "It was my wife [Hilarie Burton Morgan] who said, 'You know what?' She came from this world. She came from the world of hosting," he said, referring to her gig on MTV's Total Request Live in the early 2000s. "She said -- in a very nice way, but much more diplomatic than I'm going to make it seem now -- 'You're not getting any younger. You've got this thing about you that it would be fun for you to be able to share that with the world, and you may have an opportunity to do that [by] hosting a show like this.'"

Based on a Belgian competition series, the reality show follows players travelling across Europe on a blacked-out bus and attempting to find their location each week through various challenges. The contestant whose guess is farthest from their destination gets the boot.

"I spent a month and a half in Europe being a weird, fun host, and it was great," Morgan says. "I had so much fun being the ringmaster of the circus."

He added, "It's an opportunity to do something new, and I sort of relish in that still, at the ripe old age of whatever I may be," he says. "I had a great time. It was really fun, reported People.

Destination X airs Tuesdays on NBC. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

- ANI

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Priya K.
What an inspiring journey! From struggling actor to iconic roles without auditions - shows talent always gets recognized eventually. Loved him in Grey's Anatomy and Walking Dead. Indian TV could learn from such organic career growth instead of just star kids getting roles. 🙌
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Rahul S.
Denny Duquette's death scene still makes me emotional! But honestly, his Negan is legendary. That bat scene? Iconic! Interesting how one breakthrough role can change everything. Reminds me of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's journey in Bollywood - years of struggle before getting noticed.
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Ananya M.
His wife gave him solid advice yaar! At 50+, trying new things like hosting shows courage. In India, actors get typecast so easily - once a villain always a villain. Hollywood seems more open to letting actors explore different roles. Destination X sounds interesting - will check on Hotstar!
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Vikram J.
Respect for acknowledging Grey's Anatomy launched his career. Many actors forget their roots after becoming big. Though I must say, his transition from romantic Denny to brutal Negan shows incredible range. Indian actors should take note - versatility is key for long careers.
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Sneha P.
While I admire his journey, I wish he'd acknowledge some privilege too. Getting cast without auditions is rare - most actors struggle for years. That said, his humility about the hosting gig is refreshing. "Not getting any younger" is such an Indian aunty thing to say though! 😂

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