Actor hits bull’s-eye with ‘Walking Dead’ role

By Greg Braxton

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES

Being a redneck during a zombie apocalypse can be hazardous to your health.

Remaining among the living often depends on overcoming the traditional redneck worldview.

One challenge is to recognize the urgent need to work, play and kill well with others of different races and ethnicities.

Another is remembering that flesh-eating zombies come in all colors, even white.

For survivalist Daryl Dixon of AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” which returns tonight at 9 p.m. for the second half of its fourth season, these were life lessons learned the hard way.

Dixon’s ability to grow beyond the limits of a childhood of neglect and poverty — not to mention his pinpoint accuracy with a crossbow and sex appeal — has made him one of the most popular characters on the most popular scripted show on television.

Despite the frequency with which major characters are being knocked off in other marquee dramas these days, the character played by 45-year-old Norman Reedus is one of the few often regarded as unkillable.

Conventional wisdom holds that if the “redneck with the heart of gold” goes, so will a good part of the sizable female audience that watches the highly rated program.

“It’s not because Daryl is a redneck,” said Reedus, 45, in explaining his character’s renown. “I think people are drawn to him because they see a man who is trying to become a better person in the worst circumstances possible.”

“Daryl has finally found a sense of self-worth,” he added. “He has learned it’s OK to be himself, and he’s found people who trust and rely on him.”

Although he started out as a peripheral character, Dixon, who endured a troubled relationship with his gleefully racist brother Merle, has quickly worked his way into the hearts of viewers and the show.

Thanks in no small part to fan appreciation, which includes websites like Dixon’s Vixens, Church of Norman, and Reedusexual, Reedus now receives prominent billing in the series.

Playing Dixon has been a career-changing role for Reedus.

Previously, the Florida native was best known for his roles in the quirky misadventures “The Boondock Saints” and “Boondocks Saints II: All Saints Day.”

Amid other high-profile cast members like Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira, Reedus still collects the most fan mail and attention at promotional events for the show.

And that’s not all he gets.

Fans are fond of sending him the panoply of Daryl merchandise, including dolls, T-shirts, action figures and mugs.