How Much Did The Walking Dead's Cast Make Per Episode?
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Highlights
- Norman Reedus went from humble beginnings among the cast of The Walking Dead, to earning $1 million per episode as Daryl Dixon.
- Andrew Lincoln's portrayal of Rick Grimes led him to earn $650,000 per episode and an estimated net worth of $16 million.
- Melissa McBride's evolution as Carol Peletier earned her $300,000 per episode and an estimated net worth of $3 million.
Imagine a world overrun by the ravenous undead, where every step could be your last. That is the terrifying reality of The Walking Dead, the post-apocalyptic horror series that clawed its way into television history in 2010.
Based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, this post-apocalyptic horror drama chronicled the desperate struggle of survivors in a world ravaged by the undead, known as "walkers."
With the collapse of civilization, the survivors faced not only relentless zombie attacks, but also brutal conflicts with other human groups, each with their own twisted codes of survival.
Led by actors such as Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs, Melissa McBride, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the ensemble cast delivers performances that appeal to viewers on a deeply emotional level.
The Walking Dead consistently ranked among the highest-rated cable television series. In 2012, during its third season, it became the first cable series in television history to have the highest total viewership of any series.
The production costs were equally impressive, with each episode reportedly costing over $3.4 million to create its vision of the apocalypse. The Walking Dead's popularity naturally led to substantial salaries for its cast members.
As ratings soared and the franchise expanded, the stars' paychecks grew accordingly. This listicle explores the salaries of The Walking Dead's cast, which stars made the most, and how their salaries evolved over the show's long and successful run.
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Zombie Zillions: The Walking Dead Cast, Ranked By Net Worth
The Walking Dead drew 17 million viewers at its peak, and it spawned myriad spin-offs, including The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.7 Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Salary Per Episode - $200,000 Per Episode
Jeffrey Dean Morgan's arrival as the ruthless Negan in the season six finale sent shockwaves through The Walking Dead fandom.
Armed with his barbed-wire bat "Lucille," Negan became the show's most terrifying villain, upending the established order and forcing characters to confront unspeakable brutality.
Rising to fame through roles in shows like Supernatural and Grey's Anatomy, his extensive filmography – including roles in Watchmen and The Courier – established Morgan as a sought-after character actor.
His portrayal of the complex and often darkly humorous villain drew critical acclaim, and his paycheck reflected this success.
He reportedly earned $200,000 per episode – a sum that helped build his estimated $12 million net worth.
For a character fans loved to hate, Morgan certainly reaped the financial rewards.
Role | Negan |
|---|---|
Initial Salary | - |
Final Salary | $200,000 Per Episode |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $12 Million |
6 Chandler Riggs
Salary Per Episode - $100,000
Chandler Riggs grew up before our eyes as Carl Grimes, the son of Rick Grimes, on The Walking Dead.
Starting as a young boy, he matured into a hardened survivor over the seasons, with Riggs delivering poignant performances amid the chaos — his time as Carl was integral to the show's emotional core, helping him rise to global fame.
Riggs' coming-of-age coincided with the rise of The Walking Dead, and his paycheck grew along with the show's popularity.
At a reported $100,000 per episode, he became one of the highest-paid young actors on TV, amassing a significant net worth of approximately $8 million.
While his character arc met a controversial end, Chandler Riggs left The Walking Dead with a bank account healthy enough to make anyone forget the zombie hordes.
Role | Carl Grimes |
|---|---|
Initial Salary | $8,500 Per Episode |
Final Salary | $100,000 Per Episode |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $8 Million |
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Salary Per Episode - Undisclosed
Lauren Cohan's Maggie Greene was a fan favorite on The Walking Dead, earning widespread acclaim for her performance.
Before joining The Walking Dead's cast, Cohan appeared in various television series and films, including roles in Supernatural and The Boy.
However, her role as Maggie helped her to new heights of fame and recognition in Hollywood. After the eighth season of The Walking Dead, Cohan's contract as a series regular ended.
Reports surfaced in 2018 that Cohan and her agents were dissatisfied with the network's offers for her season nine salary, sparking public support from her fellow cast members.
Eventually, Cohan and AMC reached a deal for season nine, but her exit from the series followed soon after.
Despite the absence of a confirmed figure, Cohan's net worth, estimated at around $6 million, suggests she was handsomely compensated for her time battling walkers on the show.
Role | Maggie Greene |
|---|---|
Initial Salary | - |
Final Salary | - |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $6 Million |
4 Danai Gurira
Salary Per Episode - Between $40,000 And $60,000
Danai Gurira's katana-wielding Michonne became an instant scene-stealer upon her arrival in The Walking Dead's season three.
Before joining the zombie drama, the actress and playwright gained acclaim for her award-winning play Eclipsed.
Her Hollywood breakthrough came with a role in Marvel's Black Panther, followed by other appearances in the Avengers franchise.
These successes, along with her continued work as a playwright and an upcoming HBO Max miniseries, likely led to salary negotiations on The Walking Dead.
Reports suggest her earnings fell between $40,000 and $60,000 per episode, which is significantly lower than some of her co-stars.
This pay disparity, coupled with her blossoming film career, has led to speculation that it may have been a factor in her departure from the show in season ten.
In 2024, Gurira reprised her role in the limited series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, starring alongside co-star Andrew Lincoln.
Role | Michonne |
|---|---|
Initial Salary | - |
Final Salary | $40,000 And $60,000 Per Episode |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $5 Million |
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Salary Per Episode - $300,000
Melissa McBride's Carol Peletier embodies the incredible potential for growth within The Walking Dead.
Starting as a timid, abused wife, she evolved into one of the fiercest and most resourceful survivors. As the series progresses, McBride's character develops from being weak and dependent, into a loyal warrior.
Before joining The Walking Dead, McBride had a modest career in television and film, with roles in projects such as Matlock and The Mist.
Initially earning $8,500 per episode, McBride's salary increased over time. According to The Hollywood Reporter, McBride and co-star Norman Reedus inked a deal with AMC to receive $300,000 per episode in 2018.
Additionally, her contract ensured compensation if Carol shifted to other Walking Dead spin-offs, like Fear The Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
This additional salary is likely to be a major factor in her estimated $3 million net worth.
Role | Carol Peletier |
|---|---|
Initial Salary | $8,500 Per Episode |
Final Salary | $300,000 Per Episode |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $3 Million |
2 Andrew Lincoln
Salary Per Episode - $650,000
For many, Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes was the face of The Walking Dead.
As the show's protagonist from season one, he led the group of survivors through a harrowing journey of loss, resilience, and moral complexities. Lincoln's first major role was in the BBC drama This Life.
He later appeared in the Christmas-themed romantic comedy film Love Actually, and the television series Afterlife.
Lincoln's paycheck per episode increased significantly over the seasons in The Walking Dead; it's worth noting that during the earlier seasons, he earned approximately $92,000 per episode.
By the time he departed the series in 2018, Lincoln was paid $650,000 per episode, making him one of the highest-paid actors on television, and contributing to his estimated net worth of $16 million.
Role | Rick Grimes |
|---|---|
Initial Salary | $92,000 Per Episode |
Final Salary | $650,000 Per Episode |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $16 Million |
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Salary Per Episode - $1 Million
Norman Reedus's role as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead was his break-out role; it also helped him achieve an estimated net worth of $40 million.
Initially introduced as a volatile and short-tempered lone wolf, Daryl's character's journey has been one of the show's most compelling arcs.
Through hardship and loss, Daryl has gradually shed his rough exterior, revealing loyalty, compassion, and a protective nature that has endeared him to fans.
Though a recurring character in season one, Reedus's mysterious onscreen appeal landed him a series regular spot by season two. Back in season two, his paycheck was a modest $8,500 per episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Fast-forward eight seasons, and that figure has transformed into $1 million per episode, placing him among television's highest-paid actors, as reported by Variety.
Early reports revealed a 2018 deal with AMC which secured Reedus a $20 million payout after Andrew Lincoln's departure.
Considering the show typically runs around 20 episodes per season, this sum likely translates to a $1 million per episode rate.
The Hollywood Reporter also shed light on a three-year contract signed in 2018, guaranteeing Reedus a payout between $50 million and $90 million, even if his character is written off The Walking Dead.
Role | Daryl Dixon |
|---|---|
Initial Salary | $8,500 Per Episode |
Final Salary | $1 Million Per Episode |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $40 Million |
