Chandler Riggs

Chandler Riggs – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and career of Chandler Riggs, American actor and musician, best known for The Walking Dead. From early acting beginnings to his music alias Eclipse, his legacy, quotes, and lessons.

Introduction

Chandler Carlton Riggs (born June 27, 1999) is an American actor and musician who first gained wide recognition for his portrayal of Carl Grimes on the AMC horror-drama The Walking Dead (2010–2018).

Though still young, Riggs's career offers lessons in early success, transition, and creative reinvention.

Early Life and Family

Chandler Riggs was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Gina Ann (née Carlton) and William Riggs. Grayson.

From an early age, he was involved in performance and theater. For example, as a child he appeared in local stage productions; one early role was playing a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre.

He also studied tap dancing in his youth under instructors such as Zack Everhart (a So You Think You Can Dance finalist).

Thus, his foundational years involved both acting, dance, and theater, preparing him for a career in performance.

Youth, Education & Beginnings

Riggs began acting when he was very young. His earliest credited role is in the independent / genre film Jesus H. Zombie (2006), where he played Egon / Zombie at around age 7. Get Low (as Tom) and the television movie The Wronged Man (as Ryan Gregory).

These early breaks set the stage for his casting in The Walking Dead in 2010.

As for formal education, Riggs’s schooling has been balanced with his acting work; specific details on college attendance or degree have not been prominent in public records.

Career and Achievements

The Walking Dead & Breakthrough

In 2010, Riggs was cast as Carl Grimes, the son of Rick Grimes, in the TV series The Walking Dead.

Riggs won three Saturn Awards (from five nominations) for “Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series.” Satellite Award for Best Cast in a Television Series in 2012.

His departure from the show was impactful. In interviews, he expressed that leaving The Walking Dead “sucked” emotionally, acknowledging the deep connection to his character and team.

Interestingly, though Carl was killed off, Riggs made a surprise cameo in the series finale during a Hilltop scene, appearing in the background.

Post-Walking Dead: Film, TV & Music

After The Walking Dead, Riggs expanded his work:

• Film roles include Mercy (2014), Keep Watching (2017), Only (2019), and Inherit the Viper (2019).

• On television, he joined the ABC drama A Million Little Things in 2019, playing the recurring role of Patrick “PJ” Nelson.

• In voice work, he voiced Superman / Clark Kent in the animated film Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen (2023).

• He also has credits in short films, additional features (e.g. The Spider in 2024), and upcoming film projects.

Parallel to his acting, Riggs began exploring music. In late 2017, he adopted the stage name Eclipse to release electronic music tracks.

Thus, Riggs has been diversifying, not limiting himself solely to acting.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Riggs’s casting as Carl came at a time when The Walking Dead was becoming a cultural phenomenon in the 2010s, and his growth on the show mirrored the show’s evolving narrative and popularity.

• His departure broke from the comic source material (where Carl lives much longer), making it a dramatic shift for fans and the show's direction.

• The decision to revisit him for the finale, even after his character’s death, aligns with broader trends in TV toward nostalgia, legacy casting, and honoring key contributors.

Legacy and Influence

1. Child Actor to Leading Role
   Riggs’s progression from child and teen actor in a major ongoing series to branching into multiple creative areas (music, film) shows a trajectory of growth and reinvention.

2. Cultural Impact via The Walking Dead
   His role as Carl Grimes remains iconic within the Walking Dead fandom; many fans cite his emotional arcs as among the most memorable.

3. Crossing Between Acting & Music
   By stepping into music and DJing, Riggs is bridging mediums—demonstrating that modern entertainers often wear many hats.

4. Versatility & Resilience
   Losing a long-standing role could stifle many actors’ careers; Riggs’s pivot into new projects shows resilience in a competitive industry.

Personality and Talents

Riggs has often been described in interviews as grounded, introspective, and honest about challenges in his career. In his departure from The Walking Dead, he openly admitted the emotional difficulty rather than masking it.

He also embraces interests beyond acting—music, gaming, and creative exploration—suggesting a multi-dimensional identity beyond his screen persona.

His willingness to return for the Walking Dead finale, unannounced and understated, shows respect for legacy and colleagues.

Technically, he has demonstrated ability across genres: drama, horror, thriller, voice acting, and electronic music.

Famous Quotes of Chandler Riggs

Here are some of his more notable remarks that reflect his interests and perspective:

• “I love video games.”

• “We’re not much of a camping family. When I was in Cub Scouts, we went camping once … my dad snored the whole time and kept me up.”

• “I really like Deadmau5 and Coyote Kisses. And Foo Fighters too, I like rock.”

• “I don’t really read any comics, but when I got cast on the show, I started reading The Walking Dead comics. I felt like I needed a better idea of the character.”

• “I’m really into, like, electric pop music and dubstep, things like that.”

• “In a zombie apocalypse, I expect insane things to happen.”

• “I’ve never had a haircut where I’ve gone to a hair cutting place and they gave me an incorrect haircut. So I’ve been pretty lucky.”

• “I’m a teen boy, so I like seeing blood and guts. I know it’s fake, but I’m having fun.”

These quotes show a mix of humor, personal tastes, and insight into how he approaches roles and creative work.

Lessons from Chandler Riggs

1. Don’t Be Defined by One Role
   Although Carl Grimes defined much of his early career, Riggs’s subsequent forays into music, film, voice work show the importance of expansion and reinvention.

2. Authenticity in Departure
   Acknowledging the emotional impact of leaving a show, rather than glossing over it, can build audience empathy and credibility.

3. Follow Creative Passions
   His pursuit of electronic music under Eclipse demonstrates that it’s possible (and perhaps necessary) to explore personal creative urges outside one’s main “brand.”

4. Stay Grounded Amid Fame
   His casual quotes about gaming, haircut luck, or family camping suggest he maintains a connection to ordinary joys and humor beyond stardom.

5. Value Relationships & Legacy
   His unplanned cameo in the Walking Dead finale shows the value of maintaining good relationships—doors can open in unexpected ways.

Conclusion

Chandler Riggs’s journey—from child actor to beloved television figure to musician and multi-genre artist—is still unfolding. His early success on The Walking Dead gave him visibility and opportunity; his choices after that show reflect an instinct to grow, experiment, and remain genuine.