Jeffrey Dean Morgan Says He Hasn’t Auditioned Since Grey’s Anatomy: “That Role Launched My Career”
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the fan-favorite actor best known as Negan in The Walking Dead universe, says his life — and career — were forever changed by one unforgettable role: Denny Duquette on Grey’s Anatomy.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor reveals that he hasn’t had to audition for a single role since his appearance on the hit ABC medical drama.
“That show honestly gave me a career. I was doing that, Weeds, and Supernatural at the same time… I’ve auditioned zero times since playing Denny Duquette,” Morgan, 59, shared.
The Heartbreaking Role That Launched a Hollywood Career
Nineteen years ago, Morgan won over millions as the charming, terminally ill heart transplant patient who falls in love with Dr. Izzie Stevens, played by Katherine Heigl. Though his character tragically dies, the impact of the role was lasting — not just for fans, but for Morgan himself.
“I’d been kicking around Hollywood for a long time, but nobody certainly knew who I was. My whole career launched out of that character,” he admitted.
That career boost opened doors to major film and television opportunities, including P.S. I Love You, where he starred alongside Hilary Swank, and Watchmen, a role that came directly from his performance as Denny.
“Zack Snyder told me that he cast me in Watchmen because he saw me as Denny. How you watch Denny and go, ‘That’s the nihilistic comedian right there,’ is beyond me,” Morgan laughed.
Becoming Negan: The Call That Changed TV History
In 2015, Morgan received a call from his agent and manager that would define his career for years to come.
“They said, ‘You’ve been offered this thing on The Walking Dead,’” he recalled. “They didn’t even know who the character was yet.”
But Morgan already knew.
“I’m like, ‘Is it f—— Negan?’ And they’re like, ‘We’ll call you back.’ And I’m like, ‘No, it’s f—— Negan. And I’m f—— doing it.’”
Since then, Morgan has brought life, menace, and unexpected depth to Negan — and he continues to portray him a decade later in the spinoff TWD: Dead City.
From Antiheroes to Hosting: A New Challenge with Destination X
Despite his reputation for playing roguish, smooth-talking characters, Morgan recently took on a surprising new challenge — as the host of NBC’s competition series Destination X.
“I’m still not actually completely sure how the hell this happened,” he admitted. “I’m not Ryan Seacrest. I’m a bit crass, sarcastic… I didn’t picture myself hosting anything.”
But his wife, actress and former MTV host Hilarie Burton Morgan, encouraged him to take the leap.
“She said, ‘You’re not getting any younger. This might be your chance to show a different side of yourself.’”
Filmed across Europe, Destination X takes contestants on a blacked-out bus adventure, challenging them to determine their location based on puzzles and clues. The contestant with the furthest guess each round is eliminated.
“I spent a month and a half in Europe being a weird, fun host,” Morgan said. “I had a great time. It was really fun.”
Grey’s Anatomy Still Lives Rent-Free in His Mind
Though his résumé now includes The Good Wife, Invincible, The Boys, and more — Morgan says nothing will ever top his time as Denny.
“I think about him a lot. Every now and then, I’ll see something on social media — a scene or something — and I’m just like, ‘F—.’”
And he never forgets to express gratitude for what Grey’s Anatomy gave him.
“I still wake up every day and say my little thank you to [creator] Shonda Rhimes. It was lightning in a bottle. It gave me the opportunity to have a career.”
Watch Jeffrey Dean Morgan on Destination X
Destination X airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC
Streaming next day on Peacock
