Where is Chandler Riggs (aka Carl Grimes) from ‘The Walking Dead’ Now?

Chandler Riggs

Chandler Carlton Riggs, a multi-talented American actor and DJ, is widely recognized for his role as Carl Grimes in the critically acclaimed AMC series The Walking Dead. He first captured the audience’s attention with his stellar performance in 2010. So, where is Chandler Riggs now? He’s still acting, and he’s even directing and producing now as well. Let’s take a look at his career from the beginning until now.

Chandler Riggs Carl Grimes
Photo Credit: Markus Wissmann

The Walking Dead

After an impressive run of 11 seasons, The Walking Dead culminated on November 20th, 20223. Even though several Walking Dead spin-offs, the memory of some of the most memorable characters still lingers in fans’ minds. These include Gabriel Stokes, Morgan Jones, Shane Walsh, Lori Grimes, Hershel Greene, and undoubtedly the unforgettable father-son pair of Rick and Carl Grimes.

Katelyn Nacon and  Chandler Riggs at the Saturn Awards
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Riggs’ work on this series earned him a Young Artist Award and three Saturn Awards. However, despite the show’s success and Chandler Riggs’ popularity, he was suddenly axed from the series.

Indeed, it came as a surprise for fans who have watched his character grow for eight seasons. However, he and his family were more than shocked to know the show’s decision to kill his character even before the series finale. 

Chandler Riggs Long Hair
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

So what happened to Chandler Riggs?

Of all the comic books Robert Kirkman created, The Walking Dead is arguably the most popular. For Rick Grimes’ son Carl, death was unexpected. This was what happened on the eighth season of the show when Riggs’ character Carl Grimes was shockingly killed from the series.

Carl was seen to be the post-apocalyptic world’s future. Not to mention, Carl doesn’t die in the comics. He actually plays a fairly large role in how the comics wrap up.

Andrew Lincoln and Chandler Riggs
Photo Credit: Debby Wong

There’s a lot of speculation as to why Riggs’ character was removed from the show. It wasn’t because Riggs was ready to leave The Walking Dead or because his character ran out of stories. Some believe it was because Scott M. Gimple, the former showrunner, had to give Rick Grimes motivation to keep Negan around. Others believed that it may have been more of a personal reason between the series and Riggs, as Rigg’s father, William Riggs expressed on social media.

However, whatever the reason may have been, Riggs’ time on the series came to a close when a walker bit Carl. And the story played out with Carl telling his father that he could see a future where Negan and the saviors live in happiness and harmony. As a result of the dream of dead Carl, Rick promised his son to work towards making that dream a reality. 

Chandler Riggs and Katelyn Nacon attend 44th Annual Saturn Awards
Photo Credit: Eugene Powers

Gimple revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that the axing Riggs from the show “has everything to do about the story.” He continued that it was tough to let go of a character adored by many viewers. 

We’ll never know for sure what happened.

Riggs was planning to start college at that time his character died in the series. He even purchased a home in Georgia, where the location of the show’s filming was happening. His education wouldn’t have been an issue for filming any more than it was when he was in high school. But the only thing we can say for sure, was that Carl’s death was completely outside of Riggs’ control.

Chandler Riggs
Chandler Riggs arrives at “The Walking Dead” 3rd Season Premiere Screening at Universal Citywalk on October 4, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA / Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

How much did Chandler Riggs make on The Walking Dead?

At age 10, Riggs was selected to play Carl Grimes in The Walking Dead. The rest, as they say, is history. He grew up before viewers’ eyes, appearing first in The Walking Dead‘s pilot episode titled “Days Gone By” and staying with fans for eight seasons. In fact, during his stint from seasons one through eight, he was one of the richest child actors in the industry during his time. 

So how much did he make on the series? This question appears to be one of the most asked about Riggs when it comes to online searches.

Chandler Riggs on Convention Panel
Photo Credit: Markus Wissmann

He had a net worth of approximately $2 million when he was working on the series. As of 2020, that number was closer to $8million, according to Audacy. Almost all of them came from working for The Walking Dead. Additionally, he made around $30,000 per episode, according to ComicBook.com. Initially, he was cast to appear on the show for seven episodes. However, AMC renewed its contract. 

Unlike the other characters in the show, like the prisoners, Carl Grimes, played by Riggs, was one of the highest-paid as he’s part of the leading cast members.

Chandler Riggs hosts a panel at Motor City Comic Con
Photo Credit: Brandon Nagy

Despite being killed during season eight, Riggs’ character returned from the grave in a way (not literally). During the final episode of season eight, Carl Grimes read a letter to Rick and Negan. It was Riggs’ voiceover with a mournful image of Rick while reading his son’s letter. 

Chandler Riggs Carl Grimes
Photo Credit: Brandon Nag

How old is Chandler Riggs now?

Riggs is now 22 years old, with his birthday falling on June 27, 1999. As with any character in the group, Carl Grime earned the attention and hearts of many. After he departed from The Walking Dead, he joined the ABC drama series called A Million Little Things. It follows a group of friends who had to grapple with the aftermath and effects of their friend’s suicide. Riggs played the character of P.J. believes that a particular group member is his biological father. 

Despite not being on TWD anymore, Chandler Riggs remains to be a fan of the series. His shocking exit from the show has not dimmed his enthusiasm for the series. In 2020, he expressed his excitement about how the show will unfold and close on its eleventh and final season. 

Chandler Riggs attends 44th Annual Saturn Awards
Photo Credit: Eugene Powers

Being a DJ

Riggs’ talent isn’t just limited to acting. He also started DJing in 2017 in several events around the United States. In December of the same year, he even released his first song called “Hold Up” under “Eclipse,” which is his stage name. He appeared in the film Inherit the Viper and Only, both in 2019. 

Additionally, awards and nominations were testaments of his excellent portrayal of The Walking Dead. In total, he earned nine nominations in two different award-giving bodies. Five of those nominations, he won. 

Photo Credit: Brandon Nag

Upcoming Projects

Riggs played a recurring role in the television series A Million Little Things. During his meeting with Motor City Comic Con fans in May 2022, he revealed that between projects, he does a good bit of charity work, live streaming on Twitch, and the funds raised go to a different charity each month.

In 2023, Riggs lent his voice to the video game Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One, where he voiced Superman/Clark Kent. His most recent project, a short titled The Undergraduate, was released on October 15, 2023.

Chandler Riggs Carl Grimes
Photo Credit: Markus Wissmann

Riggs also stars in the 2023 short The Unicorn That Never Lies, which he directs (alongside Xavier Jimenez). The film won honorable mentions at the 2023 Independent Shorts Awards and the IndieX Film Festival. Additionally, the film also won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Duo at the 2023 New York Film Awards.

And lastly, he’s also in post-production on the comedy-drama Breakup Season. Though there’s not a release date announced for this one just yet.

We’ll keep you posted on Chandler Riggs’ upcoming projects as more news surfaces!

Responses

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        1. I can honestly say that I am still not over his death on the show. I enjoyed watching him grow as a character.

    1. He was the only thing I liked about it. And he would’ve made a better leader than Rick at that point imo. They killed off the hope and future. He really had become a brave, intelligent, kind person. In my head canon him and the one girl who’s also dead now get married and have a family.

  1. I loved chandler as carl . I have watched him grow these years , it was a very big mistake when they killed him off he made the show with Rick daryl etc, happy birthday chandler,

  2. Carl was one of my favorites , I also believe that Chandler has handled success very well he’s to be admired for the quality of ctor he is at such a young age , and that he has remained grounded, and humble despite his humongous success, kudos to you Chandler

    1. He was my favorite. Gimple was a moron to kill him off. I’ve barely watched the show since then. They needed Carl to help lead.

  3. Walking Dead series lost me when they killed Glen. So I wasn’t really sure where the series is on things. Frankly I don’t care.

  4. I enjoyed reading this blog post about Carl Grimes and his current whereabouts in the world of ‘The Walking Dead’. It was interesting to learn more about his character and what he has been up to since the show ended.