7 Actors Who Hated Being On The Walking Dead

4. Michael Rooker - Merle Dixon

Jesus The Walking Dead
AMC

This character was extremely easy to hate, yet became a fan favourite in Season 3.

Created for the show, Merle was the older brother of Daryl, and was a racist, misogynist, and probably any other '-ist' you can think of. Foul-mouthed and quick to anger, he was abandoned on a roof in Atlanta, before becoming one of the Governor's henchman.

Though he did redeem himself by ambushing his former leader's group to protect his brother, Rooker revealed that the death of his character was unexpected and, in an interview with Made Man, he said that the event "left a sour taste in his mouth".

He first found out about the decision to kill off the rowdy redneck around two weeks before shooting date, and bizarrely felt a sense of relief. He was elated that he wouldn't have to wear the uncomfortable metal replacement for his hand anymore, but then quickly realised that he was now out of a job.

To many, it was a surprise to kill off Michael Rooker's character, considering the actor's legendary status, but he was most disappointed because he never got to see the development of Merle that he wanted.

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