In an exclusive interview with Geekscape.net, IronE Singleton of The Walking Dead discusses the world of fandom and how the memory of “T-Dog” lives on. He also hints at his next leading role.
We are approaching the end of Season 3 of AMC’s hit show, The Walking Dead. Fans love it, and if that pesky series over on The History Channel The Bible hadn’t shown up, TWD would still hold the record for the most watched cable network show.
Early in the season, beloved character “T-Dog,” otherwise known as the “Black guy in the background” was killed off along with the ever annoying Lori Grimes. What’s funny is that even though “T-Dog” didn’t have a lot of lines, his character was actually very popular. Known as the steadfast and loyal member of the group, he helped keep everyone safe and could always be counted upon to do his best.
Now in the real world, life goes on for the actor IronE Singleton. He has a new tell-all book just out entitled, “Blindsided by The Walking Dead.” The book obviously plays up on his previous and most well-known roles in the entertainment industry, but what is noteworthy about the actor is that he comes from extreme poverty. His upbringing was very rough, but along the way made good decisions, always holding fast to his dreams. In his new book he discusses his life in a no-holds-barred manner, even describing his first sexual experience at the age of 12.
In an exclusive interview I talk to the actor about his book and fandom.
Allie: On your role in ‘The Walking Dead’, what was it like to know you were off the show and be surrounded by people who wanted to know more about your future on the show?
IronE: Oh man! Well you know I just had to turn into a politician and work around it. People would come up to me and ask, “You’re not going to die, tell me!” I would never lie to them. I would say, “You have to watch the show.” The pressure didn’t bother me. I was just amused that people loved the show so much. I was like, Wow! People really want to know what’s going to happen to my character. It was a really good feeling to know that so many people cared about my character. It didn’t feel like pressure to me. I guess it was a slight relief once it happened. I could just talk about it openly. I wouldn’t have to think twice about what I say. I guess my only thing was I didn’t want to blurt out something at a convention during a panel, “Ya, you know when T-Dog died… or something.” I didn’t want that to slip out. And then I didn’t mean it like that…. then somebody would have taken it and run with it.
Allie: In your book, you talk about how Sarah Wayne Callies would host death dinners for castmates who were killed off the series. Since you both died on the same episode – what was that dinner like… excluding her reappearance as the ghost… thing – ha ha ha?
IronE: Ya that was sad. Ya. It was a sad supper, a sad supper, but it was uplifting too. We laughed and joked and once we had a couple glasses of wine it was fun. And then the crash came later…after dinner we left and went home. I don’t know about Sarah. The validation set in and I was like “Wow I just had my death dinner and it’s over, wow, the run is over.”
Allie: The fantastic thing is your character is immortalized on that show. It plays on Netflix and all over the place. Everyday someone new comes to the show and watches it for the first time. T-Dog lives on in comics and DVD’s. In some strange ways your character doesn’t die, he goes on and on through new people discovery the show. How does that strike you?
IronE: Fascinating. That character will live on forever. It seems like overnight “T-Dog” has become a house hold name. It’s amazing how many people know about him. Some people are really affected by it. I was at a convention in McAllen, TX and this young lady came up to me and started crying…. “T-Dog… T-Dog is dead.” I didn’t know what to do so I just got up and hugged her. I was astounded at the reaction I got. That character will live forever.
Allie: So you won’t be heard ten years from now telling people like William Shatner to his fans, “Get a life?”
IronE: Oh NO! I would not. Did he really say that?
Allie: He did until he went to some fan conventions and started writing his science fiction books. He changed his tune. Anyways, when we first spoke over a year ago you didn’t have much of a geek – flag, weren’t familiar with many comics, etc. Now you travel to comic cons as a featured guest. Has the TWD role opened your eyes to fandom and if so, what kind of stuff are you into?
IronE: It definitely opened my eyes to the fact that I basically live vicariously through the fans. Whenever I am around them I can enjoy the moment so much more because of how they feel about it all. But as far as just getting into the comics goes I am so preoccupied with my mission in this life, staying on that course, to give love everywhere I go and focusing on finding that next project that’s going to touch the world the way TWD and The Blindside has… and to continue to be a good husband and a good father. So I just live vicariously through them.
Allie: What’s the weirdest request that you’ve had from a fan, like signing your autograph on their body?
IronE: You know, I’ve gotten that a few times. I wouldn’t actually ever sign someone skin. I’m really against marking someone’s skin, I would never do that but I have been asked a few times.
Allie: What do you have coming up next for us besides this awesome book?
IronE: Well I can’t say a lot but I did sign a letter of intent for something. It’s a lead role but I don’t want to speak on it now, could destroy the whole thing you know.
Allie: Sounds like something big.
IronE: It’s a zombie flick so… it’s too early to say and it’s a leading role. My top priority right now is my book. I would say this isn’t my signature achievement but it’s my crowning achievement. I would have to say because of my short career in Hollywood.
Allie: So will fans see you at Comic Con Intl this July?
IronE: No plans yet but things can change.
Allie: Hopefully you will stop by the Geekscape.net table at the San Diego Convention Center this summer if you make it.
IronE: Hopefully you will have a drink with me at a convention some time? And if you don’t drink maybe you will have a glass of water with me! (IronE knows that I am sometimes asked to guest host panels at various comic conventions).
It was a pleasure to speak with the actor and I sincerely enjoyed reading his book. You can pick up a copy of it right now on Amazon.com for $20 or on his personal website, where he has signed editions available as well. His book was co-written by war correspondent, Juliette Terzieff, who also heads up the organization Zombie Survival Crew. Check it out!
