Jeffrey Dean Morgan has made a name for himself as one of the most memorable villains in AMC’s The Walking Dead, but his roles span so much more than just being the leather-clad Big Bad of the apocalypse. He broke hearts as the sweet, ailing heart patient in Grey’s Anatomy, and hunted down monsters as John Winchester in Supernatural.
He has even taken on the DC Extended Universe with his iconic role as Thomas Wayne. Some of his roles have received more love from critics and audiences than others, but with Morgan’s charm and phenomenal acting skills, there is something special to be found about each and every one of them.
Honorable Mention: Harvey Russell (Rampage) – 51%
Agent Harvey Russell is a smooth-talking government operative with a sharp wit and a sure confidence that borders just a little bit on arrogance. Though his attitude probably carries him far as a special agent for an “Other Government Agency” or OGA, he is willing to back down and admit he’s wrong when it comes to looking out for his new friends.
Morgan stars alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in this action-packed adaptation of a classic video game.
Ike Evans (Magic City) – 65%
The Miramar Playa Hotel is a home away from home to the rich and famous, and Ike Evans' pride and joy. An ambitious businessman with big dreams, Ike works tirelessly for the success of his hotel and the happiness of his family but achieving those dreams come with a price. That price is getting into bed with Miami mobsters, and struggling to find his way out.
Magic City ran for two seasons on Starz and featured Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Steven Strait, Danny Huston, and Olga Kurylenko in lead roles.
The Comedian/Eddie Blake (Watchmen) – 65%
Adapted from the gritty graphic novel written by Alan Moore, Watchmen takes place in an alternate version of 1980's America and follows a group of vigilante "superheroes". Morgan stars as Eddie Blake, AKA The Comedian.
True to his name, Eddie believes that life is nothing more than a big joke, and his actions reflect that philosophy. A violent hothead that seems to enjoy anarchy, Eddie thrives off of a good fight and doesn't let morality get in the way of what he wants.
Henry Delarue (The Salvation) – 73%
Upon losing his family to a vicious attack, an immigrant finds himself in another man's crosshairs and a desperate fight for his life.
The Salvation is a classic Old West revenge tale, and Henry Delarue is the villain in the story. Cruel, prejudiced, and haunted by the horrors of war, Delarue spends his time swindling a struggling town out of money and land, and he has no qualms with killing the weakest and most innocent to make his point.
Cal McCarthy (Walkaway Joe) – 74%
A heartfelt story of found family and new beginnings, Walkaway Joe follows a teenage boy on a journey to search for his estranged father who abandoned him, and discovers a new friend along the way.
Morgan stars as Cal McCarthy, a pool shark and a con man who gets himself into hot water with the wrong people, and realizes that he may not be cut out to be the type of father and husband that his family deserves.
JD Richter (Extant) – 77%
Extant is a two-season science fiction drama set in the near future. Following a year-long mission in space, astronaut Molly Watts comes home, only to find out that she is mysteriously pregnant and being hunted down by a secret government agency.
JD Richter makes his debut as a lead in the show's second season. Witty and charming, JD is an easy man to like but has struggled when it comes to love and his shortcomings as a father.
Negan (The Walking Dead) – 80%
There is just something about Negan that is so dark and villainous, and yet so likable that it's frustrating. Boisterous, charming, and witty, Negan can crack a joke while cracking a man's skull like it's nothing.
Intelligent and adaptable, he easily rose to leadership of a large group called The Saviors so quickly it's impressive but has since seemingly changed his stripes, siding with the Alexandrians and seeking to fit into their community. Only season 11 will tell if his change is for the better, or if fans will see glimpses of the old Negan again.
Denny Duquette (Grey’s Anatomy) – 84%
Beloved by Grey's Anatomy fans everywhere, Denny Duquette is perfection incarnate. A frequent guest stars over the medical drama's second and third seasons, he went on to affect certain characters for years after his passing.
Too sweet to actually exist in real life, the dying heart patient sweeps Izzie Stevens off her feet without even leaving the hospital bed. His confidence, shameless flirtation, and tenderness melted fans as much as it did Izzie, and his death has gone down in show history for one of the most heartbreaking losses of the series.
Jason Crouse (The Good Wife) – 93%
The Good Wife is a legal drama that follows Alicia Florrick and her struggles as a defense attorney after her politician husband is caught in the middle of a salacious sex scandal.
Once a lawyer himself, Jason Crouse works as a private investigator after his temper caused him to lose his job. Sensual, smart, and charismatic, Jason is a love interest to Alicia, though unfortunately, his story is cut short prior to the end of the show.
John Winchester (Supernatural) – 93%
One of Jeffrey Dean Morgan's most famous roles is as the patriarch of the Winchester family in the smash hit Supernatural. John Winchester is not the perfect man or the perfect father, but boy, does he try.
Full of love and devotion to his family and a desire to keep them safe, he raises up his boys so that they can protect themselves. Eventually, he sells his soul to save Dean, but that doesn't mean that he is gone and forgotten. John Winchester is and always will be a beloved and pivotal character for fans of the show.