Jon Bernthal Reveals How The Walking Dead Basically Saved His Life

On Joe Rogan's podcast, Jon Bernthal, known for his compelling roles of Shane Walsh in the hit series The Walking Dead and Frank Castle in Netflix ’s The Punisher, shared a deeply personal story that marked a turning point in his life.

Before his breakthrough role in The Walking Dead, Bernthal had been struggling for about a decade, facing numerous personal and professional challenges. He admitted to being a "pretty big mess up," with a history of street fights, excessive drinking, and a general lack of direction in his life.

A pivotal incident on July 3rd, 2009, served as a wake-up call for Bernthal. During a house party in Venice Beach, he witnessed an older couple being humiliated by a group of rowdy party-goers. The sight of the couple's distress triggered something in Bernthal, leading to a confrontation that escalated into a physical fight.

The aftermath of the fight saw Bernthal sitting handcuffed, contemplating the potential consequences of his actions. He was faced with the stark reality that if the man he had hit didn't wake up, his life could take a drastically different turn.

In that moment of uncertainty, Bernthal made a solemn promise. If he could get out of this situation, he would dedicate his life to his partner, his work, and service to others. As fate would have it, the man woke up, and Bernthal was released.

A year later, on July 3rd, 2010, Bernthal found himself on the set of The Walking Dead. He was sober, engaged to be married, and soon to be a father. His life had taken a complete 180-degree turn, and he was profoundly grateful for the second chance he had been given.

Bernthal's role in The Walking Dead came at a time when he had stripped away the unnecessary distractions in his life, focusing instead on discipline and dedication. The role of Shane Walsh, with its built-in beginning, middle, and end, mirrored Bernthal's own journey of transformation.

The experience on The Walking Dead set and the people he worked with during that time played a significant role in shaping Bernthal's life and career. He acknowledges that his life completely and utterly changed during that period. It’s no wonder he was so emotional when it was time for him to leave the show.

Source: JRE on Spotify