We asked current and former ‘Walking Dead’ cast members to pen tributes to the departing Andrew Lincoln.
Ill always remember the sunrises on the farm.
Thanks for making me a better person.
Gene Page/AMC
BFF LOL OMG TWD!!
Youre a s—ty star, you know that?
You hate attention, parties, being singled out for praise among the work of hundreds.
Andrew Lincoln and Sarah Wayne Callies on ‘The Walking Dead’.Gene Page/AMC
The first time I saw your mug 10 feet high at Comic-Con I laughed out loud.
I thought,hes going to swallow his tongue when he sees that.
We signed up for a little show you called a family drama set in hell.
Gene Page/AMC
To be the first one to set, the hardest worker, to never complain.
To give your best work off-camera for someone else.
But one hell of an actor and an even better man.
Gene Page/AMC
Chandler Riggs on Andrew Lincoln
I always considered Andy my TV dad.
That being said, whenever I had a scene with him, I was always so excited.
When I found out that he was leaving the show, I had mixed emotions.
Lennie James and Andrew Lincoln on ‘The Walking Dead’.Gene Page/AMC
Knowing that hes going to have so many more opportunities to do what he loves is amazing.
Jon Bernthal on Andrew Lincoln
I love Andy.
He is fiercely dedicated, but also unbelievably available and kind.
Gene Page/AMC
We were two young hungry actors who felt so unbelievably blessed to be there.
We were f—ing nervous, man.
We were a pair of nervous wrecks.
Gene Page/AMC
I remember just sitting down on a rock and watching that.
When I met Andy, I was right on the cusp of being a father and a husband.
I say, “What would Andy do?
Gene Page/AMC
Think about Andy Lincoln.
He’s just a very important person to me, and unlike any other.
Definitely the best lead that I’ve ever worked with in my life in any capacity.
Gene Page/AMC
I don’t think there will be another Andy Lincoln.
It has to be there.
Andy took a responsibility forThe Walking Deadlike no other actor I have ever come across or heard about.
Gene Page/AMC
And he did it by demanding nothing more of them than he did from himself.
He led from the front and led by example.
Also, he did it all whilst being a fully committed member of the ensemble.
Gene Page/AMC
The journey ofThe Walking Deadhasnt always been sweetness and light.
I dont want to give that impression.
There have been very bumpy times to say the least.
Gene Page/AMC
We’d here him shout, “Let’s smash it!”
and we’d remember why we were all there.
it was Andy who called me to tell me it was happening.
Gene Page/AMC
He wanted me to know.
He said it was like getting a Standing O.
He has championed me and my character from day 1, and not just me.
Gene Page/AMC
Steven Yeun on Andrew Lincoln
I think youd be hard pressed to find people like Andy.
Hes that perfect mix of class, humor, and talent.
I remember my first days with him on our show and remember how calm he made everyone.
Gene Page/AMC
That was totally Andy Lincoln.
I learned quite a bit during my seven years on that show with him.
I owe Andy quite a bit for helping and guiding me throughout my time with him on that show.
Gene Page/AMC
Im just trying to catch up to his example.
Youre one of the greatest.
However, one of the key attributes that I feel make or break a show is leadership.
Gene Page/AMC
In the three years I was on the show, I never heard him complain ONCE.
He’s the first person there, and he’s the last person left.
And he wants to talk about it, which is exhausting at times.
SWNS.com
But he wants to break it down, he wants to put it back together.
He wants to talk about your parts, my parts, everyone’s parts.
And I don’t know if it was ever said to anybody.
Gene Page/AMC
I think they kind of just did it naturally.
They transformed my character into something else whether they know it or not.
It’s easier for me.
Gene Page/AMC
My son’s in New York.
So to watch him balance that and balance work it’s been an admirable thing to watch.
I can’t say enough good things about that guy.
Gene Page/AMC
Why he doesn’t have 15 freakin Emmys right now blows my mind.
Emily Kinney on Andrew Lincoln
Andy has taught me so much about focus and attitude on set.
I feel lucky to have met Andy so early on in my career.
Gene Page/AMC
I am definitely a better actor because of getting to work with him.
I have never met another lead television actor like him; he is so kind.
Lauren Cohan on Andrew Lincoln
Andy is a flawless professional he makes everything easy for us.
Gene Page/AMC
I believe that really good things dont happen in isolation.
We are very lucky to have this catalyst in many forms in ourThe Walking Deadfamily.
And we are insanely lucky to have experienced the care of a person like Andy.
Gene Page/AMC
Heres to a friend with the most ferocious heart…thank you.
We love you, Andy!
Danai Gurira on Andrew Lincoln
Andy is all about manners.
Never, he would often say, lose your manners.
I always say he hatched from an egg because he’s such a rare breed.
He also had an endless well of joy.
Ive often called it a childlike joy.
Boundless, resilient and light.
And that overflow was infectious.
It made this job that much more enjoyable, for everyone including cast and crew.
His unfailing focus and passion kept us all, like him, ready to give it our all.
Many would come to our cast and comment on how they had never experienced anything like it.
We were, as a result of his astounding example and spirit, a merry band of apocalyptic survivors.
And never, ever did he lose his manners.
There is always a way to achieve your goals, even handle highly intense situations without losing ones manners.
Its a principle that has nourished me in my profession, and my life.
David Morrissey on Andrew Lincoln
I have been lucky to know Andrew for many years now.
Not just through my time onThe Walking Dead.
He is a great friend.
But also an amazing professional.
Andrew leads from the front.
His commitment and care are always 100 percent.
He looks after every new member of the cast and crew.
He is approachable and open.
Everyone works for each other because that is the example he sets.
He is also of course, a fantastic actor.
I am privileged to know him and to have worked with him.
Chad Coleman on Andrew Lincoln
He’s is the most selfless, passionate No.
1 on the call sheet I’ve ever worked with.
You always had his ear whether it was show related or personal.
He’s fiercely committed to storytelling that is rich, deep and substantive!
Never saw a meltdown.
Never saw any entitlement.
Not in my 3 seasons.
This uber-talented thespian is a leader in every sense of the word.
Big Love, Big Linc!
I answer with a fiery quickness, Oh.
Well, thats Andrew Lincoln.
He introduced me to a level of excellence in this craft that I hadnt experienced before working with him.
Its powerful to see someone give every fiber of their being.
It literallychangesyou when you witness it.
We would watch him, eyes wide and jaws dropped and we would say, Look at him!
How is he doing this??
He led us through, he established a culture of excellence and togetherness, he gave us an example.
Ill always be grateful to him.
I thank God for him.
I thank God for placing me in thatWalking Deadfamily because I am better in every way for it.
Michael Cudlitz on Andrew Lincoln
Andy Lincoln is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
I don’t throw that around lightly.
He is someone that the minute you meet him, you want to know more about him.
And after knowing more about him, you want to be friends with him.
Are you and Andy really pissed off at each other?
Thats because we really both got into it, and hestaysinto it.
At lunch, we sit basically on other ends of the lunchroom.
Later, we come back into it and we finish up the scene.
Andy just started busting out laughing.
He’s like, Oh my God, that was so much fun!
We started hugging each other.
I remember looking at him, and at the time, it was incredibly emotional.
I looked at him and just said, I feel like I landed.
And he said, Yeah, you did brother, and he gave me a big hug.
I just love that dude.
Not only is he the most dedicated actor I’ve ever met, he’s also the kindest.
He knew everybody’s name.
He knew the gardener’s name.
He knew the workers' names who were building the set.
He would get to work early so he could hug everybody in the hair-and-makeup trailer.
It was a lesson in how to knit a community together.
When I came in, the first thing he said was, “What do you need?
What do you want?
What can I do to make it good for you?”
I know you’re working all day, but this scene is nine pages long.”
He always made sure that the scene sang.
And he’s just irresistibly and relentlessly kind.
I never saw him lose his temper.
Very often the lead actor is always missing, always in the trailer.
He had his meal break with the company.
Tom Payne on Andrew Lincoln
I first met Andy in the last days of 1999.
I was part of a theatre group in our hometown called The Musical Youth Theatre Company.
Andy had been a member of it a few years before me and was the big success story.
He hosted a benefit that the group did for the millennium.
My show only went for one season, but we all know what happened to the other.
And so six years later I found myself on set with a familiar face.
The last thing he mentioned to me was that he hoped we could do a play together in London.
I look forward to it.
Yeah, hello my voice croaked.
Welcome to the family.
It was Andy Lincoln, his voice just as thrashed as mine.
It had been both simultaneously an amazing and yet, a s—ty night.
But there was this part of me that felt like I was partly responsible for destroying a family.
Yet, it was more than that…
This WAS a family.
One of their own.
(Usually right before the camera rolls.)
There is no replacing him.
Nor will we try.
I love the man.
Not only as an actor and an inspiration, but most importantly as a friend.
I will miss him every single day, I DO miss him every single day.
He gets to do that very thing with his beautiful family.
A family that shared their husband, father, and son with us for almost a decade.
But most importantly, I am so thankful for Andy, the irreplaceable brother.
Its been an honor and a privilege.
It wasnt necessarily the words he said, it was the energy and intention he had.
I felt right at home.
I was still incredibly nervous though because I wanted to do a good job.
He’s very authentic, and so kind and generous.
I still remember my first day on set.
He sets that example, and people realize how well it works and follow along with it.
But, thanks to him, the show has become what it is.
A big thank you to Andrew Lincoln.
Steven Ogg on Andrew Lincoln
Captain…our captain.
First time on set, I went to the makeup trailer.
Spoke of Camus, theTWDworld, family, and the world.
Andrew, as his nature, accommodated.
That was enough for me this mans core exposed a wonderful man.
Then came his commitment to his character, the work, and the show.
The night of Negan taking out Glenn and Abraham…
I stood there watching this man… broken… feeling inspired.
Austin and I instantly bonded over this never seeing someone so committed to bringing their character to life.
Andy gave me the Camus book.
So lucky to have that time!
Thank you, Andrew!!
For this, that, and beyond!!
He wasnt working any part of that episode, but he stayed half the night.
I didnt realize it in the moment, but I was already family as far as he was concerned.
Its why wed all run through a wall for the man.
Hell tell you f— that guy which usually means f— fear.
Like the best actors, he wants to share the good stuff.
His latest, to be based at home with his family, is one we all support.
We love him and look forward to whats next for him.
Rock on, Clutterbuck.
