When life feels like it’s falling apart, and everything seems unfair, think about Glenn—no, not just any Glenn, but the beloved character from The Walking Dead. His story on-screen and off is one of survival, unexpected twists, and handling the unimaginable.
In one of the most shocking moments in television history, Glenn Rhee, portrayed by Steven Yeun, met a gruesome end at the hands of Negan, a character played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, in the infamous scene from The Walking Dead. Fans were heartbroken to see Glenn, a character known for his moral integrity, courage, and loyalty, meet such a violent demise. However, what many may not know is the bizarre parallel between this fictional tragedy and a real-life twist that involved Steven Yeun and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
The joke goes something like this: Glenn (the character) was killed by Negan, but instead of seeking revenge or holding onto the grudge, Steven Yeun (the actor) went on to continue sharing the screen with Jeffrey Dean Morgan in interviews, fan events, and red carpet appearances. While the world watched in disbelief as Negan brutally murdered Glenn with his barbed-wire-covered bat, the actors behind the characters showcased an unexpected camaraderie off-screen.
It’s almost like a life lesson in itself: when you feel life has hit you hard, consider Glenn—he was caught “red-handed” (quite literally) in one of the most devastating scenes in TV history, and instead of harboring bitterness or letting it define him, he moved forward, as did the actor who portrayed him.
The deeper irony is that Yeun, whose character’s life was cut short, didn’t let his career be. After leaving The Walking Dead, Steven Yeun has gone on to achieve even greater success. He starred in critically acclaimed films like Minari, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, breaking new ground as a Korean-American actor.
The real takeaway from Glenn’s story is that sometimes life throws the worst possible things at you, whether it’s betrayal or, in Glenn’s case, a brutal end at the hands of a bat-wielding villain. But even when you’re “caught red-handed” in life’s most challenging moments, it’s possible to rise above it all and find success, as Glenn (and Steven Yeun) did.
