With a few swings of a baseball bat, an effortlessly cool demeanor, and some unforgettable quips, Jeffrey Dean Morgan earned himself a fierce legion of fans as The Walking Dead’s most lovable baddie Negan. Morgan is now one of television’s most popular actors, yet he’s been earning a reputation as a reliable, often remarkable presence on screen for decades.
JDM has popped up in everything from small screen sci-fi sagas to mega-budget comic book blockbusters. Whether he’s playing a detestable villain or an unlikely hero, Morgan can always be called upon to bring his brand of charisma and cool to the production he’s a part of. With The Walking Dead’s Negan Smith aside, these are Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s very best performances in TV and film.
10 “P.S. I Love You” Is A Tad Melodramatic, But Jeffrey Dean Morgan Puts In A Strong, Charismatic Showing
Richard LaGravenese’s romantic drama was panned by critics upon its release in 2007, but fans of Jeffrey Dean Morgan will get a kick out of watching him as the love interest to Hilary Swank’s Holly.
The premise of a deceased husband sending messages from beyond the grave encouraging his widow to move on in love may seem too hokey for many to stomach, and while P.S. I Love You is by no means a masterpiece, there are enough strong performances (including Morgan’s) that make it a worthwhile watch.
9 His Dastardly Turn In The Underrated Western “The Salvation” Is A Great Watch For Fans Of The Negan Actor
An underrated, easily-missed western, The Salvation features Jeffrey Dean Morgan in all his villainous glory as a former Yankee Colonel obsessed with murdering Native Americans. Up against a heroic Mads Mikkelsen, Morgan is as hateable as ever. However, he manages to remain in the category of a bad guy that audiences simply can’t look away from.
Though none are quite as electric as JDM and Mikkelsen in their leading roles, The Salvation also features the talents of Eva Green, Jonathan Pryce (of Game of Thrones and Brazil fame), and former soccer superstar Eric Cantona.
8 “Desierto” Features Jeffrey Dean Morgan At His Bad Guy Best
Though Jeffrey Dean Morgan has cemented himself as one of TV’s best villains in recent years, his performance in Jonas Cuaron’s thriller Desierto is sure to rival Negan for levels of sheer terror. Morgan stars as a ruthless, psychotic killer on the hunt for a group of Mexican migrants who have crossed the United States border illegally.
Desierto’s story doesn’t offer up a great deal to unpack, but it makes up for it with gorgeous visuals and some genuine thrills. If you like your Negan awesomely evil, Desierto is the perfect movie.
7 Thanks To Morgan’s Performance, “The Possession” Is More Than Just Your Average Horror
On the surface, 2012’s The Possession appears to be little more than a run-of-the-mill supernatural horror film. While that is mostly true when it comes to Ole Bornedal’s movie, it takes the right cues from the likes of The Exorcist and Insidious. In addition, The Possession benefits greatly from a commanding central performance from Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
The horror is also well known for the alleged real-life haunts that plagued the set – something that Morgan and producer Sam Raimi stated they wanted nothing to do with.
6 “The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe” Gave JDM Chance To Bring A Historical Figure To Life On Screen
Jeffrey Dean Morgan never had much hope of stealing the spotlight from Kelli Garner given how the American actress would be playing one of the most famous icons in entertainment history, but as Marilyn Monroe’s second husband and Major League Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, Morgan put in an admirable showing as the real-life figure in this miniseries.
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe is enjoyable without being must-watch TV, but that’s due to it mostly retreading over well-known periods in the titular star’s already well-documented life.
5 “The Losers” Is A Winner When It Comes To Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Charismatic Comedy
While a far cry from the heights of the MCU, this 2010 comic book adaptation is packed with enough outrageous action and humor to warrant its existence. Alongside future superhero stalwarts Chris Evans, Zoe Saldana, and Idris Elba, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is clearly having the time of his life in his role, and The Losers is all the better for it.
Bringing the perfect amount of comedy and charisma is something Jeffrey Dean Morgan would become famous for, and though many felt his talents were wasted in The Losers, the movie is great fun to look back on today.
4 JDM Showed Off His Irresistible Charm In “Rampage”
For a glimpse of how effortlessly cool Jeffrey Dean Morgan can be on the big screen, his showing opposite Dwayne Johnson in 2018’s Rampage is guaranteed to satisfy. Morgan manages to hang with one of the most entertaining actors in Hollywood, and he does so with seemingly minimal effort. Despite the film receiving a lukewarm response from audiences, both Johnson and JDM earned praise for their work.
Many fans also noted the similarities between Morgan’s Rampage character of Harvey Russell and The Walking Dead’s Negan, with both men being cold, calculating, and endlessly charismatic.
3 “Grey’s Anatomy” Features Some Of Morgan’s Best Dramatic Work
Long before Jeffrey Dean Morgan showed up in The Walking Dead and bashed brains in, he was an established talent in the world of television. His role as Denny Duquette in Grey’s Anatomy is a large part of the reason why.
As a patient dying from heart failure and in desperate need of a transplant, Morgan cut an endearing, deeply tragic figure. Few storylines in JDM’s acting career have ever been as upsetting, and Denny Duquette is a character fondly remembered by fans to this day.
2 John Winchester Of “Supernatural” Is One Of JDM’s Most Iconic Roles
Perhaps Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s most famous TV persona that doesn’t have a fondness for baseball bats named Lucille, John Winchester of Supernatural played host to many of JDM’s greatest on-screen showings.
As the father of the series’ main characters, Winchester’s part in Supernatural’s epic story is a vastly important one. Fans did grow frustrated with some of the character’s decisions, yet this never hindered the appreciation for Morgan’s fantastic portrayal. Negan may be Morgan’s most iconic character, but to many fans, John Winchester is king when it comes to JDM’s roles.
1 Morgan Made For The Perfect Comedian In “Watchmen”
Though Zack Snyder’s Watchmen is either an inconsistent, jarring superhero movie or a remarkable adaptation of the classic graphic novel (depending on who you ask), one thing that most viewers can agree on is that Jeffrey Dean Morgan absolutely nails it as The Comedian.
With a slight assist from a muscle suit, JDM brings the iconic rogue to life in a way that few could have expected. As the cigar-smoking vigilante, Morgan steals every scene he’s in, and also manages to make Eddie Blake a captivating, sympathetic character despite being a deeply flawed one. It’s a trait he’d later perfect as the nemesis to Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead.
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