From a supporting role to the face of The Walking Dead, Norman Reedus’ journey is iconic, like his multi-million dollar payday!

Norman Reedus has become a pop culture icon by starring in The Walking Dead franchise. The hit zombie series was first introduced to us in 2010, and everyone was impressed by Reedus’ portrayal of Daryl Dixon, a crossbow-wielding survivalist.

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon | AMC+

At first, he was only a supporting character, but the actor soon became a fan favorite. Viewers unapologetically loved his rugged toughness that was balanced out with emotional depth. His rise in the show was also reflected in his paychecks, which grew substantially, and even more after Andrew Lincoln’s departure.

Daryl Dixon’s growth and Norman Reedus’ multi-million dollar payday in The Walking Dead

Norman Reedus | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon / YouTube

Norman Reedus’ Daryl Dixon was introduced to us as Merle Dixon’s younger brother in The Walking Dead. He came off as abrasive in the beginning and seemed like a lone wolf. But soon, his loyalties evolved and he won the audience over. By the time Andrew Lincoln, the show’s lead left, Reedus, had already solidified his position.

At the start of the show, he was earning a modest $8,500 per episode (via The Hollywood Reporter). His pay kept growing as he became integral to the series. But the most significant boost happened after Lincoln’s departure in 2019, who was earning $650,000 per episode (via Celebrity Collective).

After his exit, Reedus’ contract was bumped to a lucrative $20 million paycheck to continue starring in the show (via US Weekly). Moreover, reports suggest that he also signed a three-year deal in 2018 worth anywhere between $50 million to $90 million, which established him as the highest-paid actor, even if his character was ever written off.

The evolution of Norman Reedus’ Daryl Dixon

Norman Reedus in The Walking Dead | AMC

Norman Reedus’s character, Daryl Dixon, has had one of the most compelling arcs in The Walking Dead. He started out as an outsider who was volatile in nature and couldn’t connect with anyone beyond his brother. But when the series progressed, he formed deeper bonds with Rick, Carol, and Beth.

Gradually, he took on the leader’s role, and what made him stand out was his loyalty and survival instincts. Moreover, he does not exist in The Walking Dead comics and was created specifically for the TV show. This gives the showrunner the liberty to shape his character without the constraints of following the source material.

Even after the series’ end, Daryl’s journey has continued in the spin-off, titled, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, where we see him in France, as a whole new chapter of survival unfolds. These accomplishments have made him the face of the franchise and proved just how integral he is to the TWD universe.

You can watch The Walking Dead on Netflix.