What actor portrayed Eastman in season 6 of The Walking Dead series?

The fourth episode of season 6 of The Walking Dead, "Here's Not Here," written by Scott Gimple and directed by Stephen Williams, reveals some of what Morgan (Lennie James) experienced while he was on his own. He encounters a man named Eastman who changes his life forever.

The majority of the episode is told via flashback and begins after Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Michonne (Danai Gurira), and Carl (Chandler Riggs) discovered Morgan in an apartment in season
when he had lost his mind due to the horrific death of his son in episode 12 of season 3, "Clear." At that time, Morgan was in a fragile mental state due to the horrific death of his son Duane ( Adrian Kali Turner) at the hands of his mother's walker.

"Here's Not Here" shows Morgan in his apartment, ranting to himself in an agitated state and knocking over a lantern, which sets the apartment on fire. He sets up camp in the woods and eventually comes across a goat tethered next to a secluded cabin, the residence of Eastman.

Who is Eastman in The Walking Dead?

Eastman, portrayed by John Carroll Lynch, has a very unique perspective on life, especially in a post-apocalyptic world. He uses the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba's book, The Art of Peace, as his guide. This book teaches that true warrior philosophy is based on “compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature.”

Morgan would developed a special bond with Eastman and his teachings on pacifism and how to use a  bō staff stayed with Morgan, whose story eventually crossed over to Fear the Walking Dead, until his final appearance in season 8 of that series.

John Carroll Lynch saw his break-out role in the Coen Brothers' movie Fargo (1996), where he portrayed Norm Gunderson. This would lead to roles in The Drew Carey Show, Face/Off, Zodiac, Shutter Island, and more. He is also well known for his role as the mysterious, deformed killer clown known as Twisty the Clown in American Horror Story.

In 2017, he made his directorial debut in the drama film Lucky, which starred Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley Jr., and Tom Skerritt.

In 2024, Deadline announced that he was cast the the Taron Egerton led crime-thrillerShe Rides Shotgun. Other upcoming roles include a drama, The Grand Strand, which is written and directed by Luke Lowder.

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