The Walking Dead actor Ross Marquand recently shared an amusing story about how he once impersonated his co-star Norman Reedus to secure a restaurant reservation. Reedus, famed for his portrayal of Daryl Dixon since the series’ inception, has garnered significant fan love and even has a spinoff dedicated solely to his character. Marquand joined the cast in season 5 as Aaron, a pivotal character who aids Daryl and his companions upon their introduction to the Alexandria community. Beyond his role in The Walking Dead, Marquand has built an impressive voice acting portfolio, contributing his talents to shows like Invincible, Marvel’s What If…?, X-Men ’97, and Robot Chicken.
During a Spotlight Panel at AwesomeCon, which was hosted by Joe Deckelmeier from ScreenRant, Marquand recounted an incident where he cleverly utilized his voice acting skills for a prank. When asked if he had ever pranked someone using his impressions, Marquand disclosed that he had successfully reserved a table at an upscale restaurant by impersonating Reedus, a tactic he justified due to the need for some dining “clout.”Unbeknownst to Reedus, Marquand had playfully leveraged their on-screen camaraderie for this delightful ruse.
Ross Marquand: I did get a restaurant reservation one time for myself and some of The Walking Dead cast because I do a Norman Reedus impression. This was one of the few times I’d ever do that, but I just knew that my clout was probably not enough to get into this really nice restaurant.
I was just like, “[imitating Reedus] Oh, yeah, hey. This is Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead. Yeah, we’re just trying to go to this restaurant. There’s, like, 10 of us. Is that cool?”They were like, “Yes, Norman Reedus, of course. Whatever you need.”It worked!
ScreenRant: Does Norman know that you did that?
Marquand: No!
Implications for The Walking Dead
The Cast’s Sense of Humor
Marquand’s humorous storytelling highlights the strong camaraderie and lighthearted nature within The Walking Dead cast. While the series is renowned for its intense and often dark themes of survival against a zombie apocalypse, the actors’ shared moments of levity—like Marquand’s impersonation of Reedus—provide a refreshing contrast. This bond amongst the cast not only enhances their on-screen dynamics but also enriches their off-screen interactions.
Both Daryl and Aaron have remarkably survived throughout the series’ numerous seasons, culminating in their participation in the definitive finale. Their longevity speaks volumes about the relationships formed amongst the ensemble, showcasing the ability to balance serious storytelling with enjoyment in their professional lives. The fact that Reedus was completely unaware of Marquand’s restaurant reservation trick adds an amusing layer to their rapport.
Analysis of Ross Marquand’s Revelations
A Call for Daryl Impersonations in Future Spinoffs
As an actor, Ross Marquand’s range is impressively showcased, spanning from his role as Aaron to voicing the Red Skull in Avengers: Infinity War. The revelation that he could convincingly mimic Reedus’ voice was not only entertaining but also endeared him further to fans of The Walking Dead. This anecdote truly adds to the charm of the cast, making one wish to see Aaron’s impersonation of Daryl manifest in one of the upcoming spinoff shows.