Walton Goggins Explained

Walton Goggins
Birth Name:Walton Sanders Goggins Jr.
Birth Date:10 November 1971
Birth Place:Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1989–present
Children:1

Walton Sanders Goggins Jr. (born November 10, 1971) is an American actor. He has starred in various television series, including The Shield (2002–2008), Justified (2010–2015), Vice Principals (2016–2017), The Righteous Gemstones (2019–present), Invincible (2021–present), and Fallout (2024–present).[1] He was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Justified, and then later for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Fallout.

Goggins starred in and co-produced the Academy Award-winning short film The Accountant (2001).[2] He has also featured in feature films, such as Predators (2010), Lincoln, Django Unchained (both 2012), The Hateful Eight (2015), , Tomb Raider, and Ant-Man and the Wasp (all 2018).

Early life

Goggins was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of Janet Long and Walton Sanders Goggins Sr.[3] He was raised in Lithia Springs, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, and graduated from Lithia Springs High School and attended Georgia Southern University for a year.[2]

Career

Goggins worked for a valet car parking service and various restaurants in Los Angeles.[2] After starring in a few roles in Georgia, he met Ray McKinnon while filming Murder in Mississippi.

Goggins played Shane Vendrell in the FX drama series The Shield. He formed the production company Ginny Mule Pictures, which produced four films: The Accountant (a short film which won an Academy Award for Live Action Short Film); Chrystal (Sundance Dramatic Competition); Randy and the Mob and That Evening Sun (which won the South by Southwest Special Jury Prize). They later created the drama series Rectify.[4] Goggins was set to play the lead and AMC had bought the pilot script, written by McKinnon, a role which went to Aden Young, when the series later went to SundanceTV.[5]

Goggins played Boyd Crowder in the pilot episode for the FX drama series Justified, while filming a major supporting role as a deadly death row inmate being hunted by the titular antagonists in the film Predators. Before Goggins was cast, Boyd was intended to die in the pilot episode, but Graham Yost kept the character when the character scored highly with test audiences. Goggins joined the main cast for the second season in May 2010.[6] In 2011, he appeared in "Code of the West", a commercial for Ram Truck's "Guts & Glory" campaign. He appeared in Cowboys & Aliens as Hunt, a bandit formerly in the employ of the protagonist. Goggins was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on Justified.[7] He played a sadistic overseer and slave fighting trainer in the western film Django Unchained.[8]

Goggins played a transgender prostitute in the FX drama series Sons of Anarchy. He previously worked with the show's creator, Kurt Sutter, when the latter was a writer and executive producer on The Shield. The name "Venus Van Dam" is a play on the undercover name "Cletus Van Damme" used by The Shield character Shane Vendrell.[9] He played Chris Mannix in The Hateful Eight and Lee Russell in the HBO dark comedy series Vice Principals.[10] The New York Times critic Mike Hale wrote, "Walton Goggins makes a habit of being the best thing about the television shows he's in."[11]

In 2018, Goggins played Lawrence in , Mathias Vogel in Tomb Raider, and Sonny Burch in Ant-Man and the Wasp. He played the lead character in the CBS sitcom The Unicorn. He starred in the comedy series The Righteous Gemstones. In 2020, Goggins voiced part of the true crime podcast Deep Cover: The Drug Wars.[12]

Goggins was cast as Jay Whittle / The Hero in the Amazon Prime Video comedy miniseries I'm a Virgo. In 2024, he starred as Cooper Howard / The Ghoul in the Amazon Prime Video drama series Fallout.

Personal life

Goggins lost his front teeth in a childhood baseball accident when a ball was mistakenly thrown at him.[13]

In 2001, Goggins married Canadian resident Leanne Kaun, who owned a dog-walking business in Laurel Canyon, California. They remained married until her death by suicide on November 12, 2004.[14] Goggins married filmmaker Nadia Conners in August 2011, and the two have a son together.[15]

Goggins showcased some of his photography on a blog,[16] when he took a sabbatical and traveled across India. He is active in various nonprofit organizations that range from environmental to humanitarian work. He is a partner in a spirits company, Mulholland Distilling.[17]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992Mr. Saturday NightShaky KidUncredited
Forever YoungGate MP
1994The Next Karate KidCharlie
1997The ApostleSam
SwitchbackBud
1998Billy 'Downtown' Anderson
1999Wayward SonPlantation Owner
2000Red DirtLee Todd
Shanghai NoonWallace
Det. Stan Roberts
2001The AccountantTommy O'DellShort film; also co-producer
Daddy and ThemTommy Christian
Joy RideCopUncredited
2002The Bourne IdentityResearch Tech
2003House of 1000 CorpsesSteve Naish
Apple JackMoe DanyouShort film
2004ChrystalLarryAlso producer
2005The World's Fastest IndianMarty
2006The ArchitectJoe
2007Randy and the MobTino ArmaniAlso producer
2008Winged CreaturesZack
Miracle at St. AnnaCaptain Nokes
2009That Evening SunPaul MeechamAlso producer
DamageReno Paulsait
2010PredatorsStans
2011Cowboys & AliensHunt
Straw DogsDaniel Niles
2012LincolnClay Hawkins
Django UnchainedBilly Crash
2013Officer DownDet. Nick Logue / Angel
Warden Nigel James
Machete KillsEl Camaleón 1
2015MojaveJim
American UltraLaugher
DiabloEzra
The Hateful EightCaptain Chris Mannix
2017Three ChristsLeon
2018Lawrence
Tomb RaiderMathias Vogel
Ant-Man and the WaspSonny Burch
2019Them That FollowLemuel
Once Upon a Time in HollywoodOld Chattanooga Beer Voice cameo; extended cut
2020Words on Bathroom WallsPaul
FatmanSkinny Man
2021Spirit UntamedHendricks Voice
2022Dreamin' WildJoe Emerson
2024The UninvitedSammy
The Luckiest Man in AmericaPeter TomarkenPost-production
TBAQueen of the RingJack PfeferPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989–1992In the Heat of the NightFootball Teammate / Darrell / Robbie Jeffries / Garth Warkins4 episodes
1990Murder in MississippiLyleTelevision film
1992Beverly Hills, 90210Mike MuchinEpisode: "The Pit and the Pendulum"
Stay the NightWayne SeagroveTelevision film
1993I'll Fly AwayLangleyEpisode: "What's in a Name?"
QueenYoung Man #1Episode: "Part I"
RenegadeLance McBrideEpisode: "Wheel Man"
1995JAGCommunications OfficerEpisode: "Desert Son"
1996High TideBad Guy / Treasure HunterEpisode: "A Three Hour Tour"
Pacific BlueHarvEpisode: "Captive Audience"
Humanoids from the DeepRodTelevision film
The SentinelMickEpisode: "True Crime"
The Cherokee KidJim Bob / Carver GangTelevision film
1998NYPD BlueTerryEpisode: "Honeymoon at Viagra Falls"
2000Almanzo WilderTelevision film
2001Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free ManBilly WeberTelevision film
2002Almanzo WilderTelevision film
2002–2008The ShieldDet. Shane Vendrell87 episodes
2004HawaiiAgent DavisEpisode: "Lost and Found"
2007Marlon FrostEpisode: "Empty Eyes"
2009Criminal MindsJohn CooleyEpisode: "Demonology"
Sean EcholsEpisode: "Dissolved"
2010–2015JustifiedBoyd Crowder74 episodes
2012UnsupervisedBruce Lindsay (voice)Episode: "The Magic of Science"
2012–2014Sons of AnarchyVenus Van Dam6 episodes
2014CommunityMr. StoneEpisode: "Cooperative Polygraphy"
2016–2017Vice PrincipalsLee Russell18 episodes
2017American Dad!Enoch (voice)Episode: "A Nice Night for a Drive"
2017–2018SixRichard 'Rip' Taggart11 episodes
2018 The Big Bang TheoryOliverEpisode: "The Separation Triangulation"
2019Deep StateNathan Miller8 episodes; also executive producer
2019–2020The UnicornWade Felton31 episodes; also producer
2019–presentThe Righteous GemstonesBaby Billy Freeman18 episodes
2021SquidbilliesBubba (voice)Episode: "Let'er R.I.P."
2021–presentInvincibleCecil Stedman (voice)15 episodes
2022The Last Days of Ptolemy GreyDr. RubinMiniseries; 5 episodes
2022–2023George & TammyEarl 'Peanutt' MontgomeryMiniseries; 6 episodes
2023I'm a VirgoJay Whittle / The Hero5 episodes
Boyd CrowderEpisode: "The Question"
2024–presentFalloutThe Ghoul/Cooper Howard7 episodes
2025The White LotusTBAUpcoming season

Video games

YearTitleVoice role
1995Border World Pilot
2007The ShieldDet. Shane Vendrell
2017PreyAaron Ingram

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResultRef.
2001Spirit of Slamdance (shared with Ray McKinnon and Lisa Blount)The Accountant[18]
2009Best Ensemble CastThat Evening Sun[19]
Television Critics Association AwardsIndividual Achievement in DramaThe Shield[20]
2011Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJustified[21]
Critics' Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Drama Series[22]
Satellite AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television[23]
2012San Diego Film Critics Society AwardsBest Ensemble PerformanceDjango Unchained[24]
2013Critics' Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJustified[25]
2014Critics' Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Drama Series[26]
Best Guest Performer in a Drama SeriesSons of Anarchy
2015Critics' Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJustified[27]
Best Guest Performer in a Drama SeriesSons of Anarchy
Hollywood Film AwardsEnsembleThe Hateful Eight[28]
2016Critics' Choice AwardsBest Acting Ensemble[29]
Saturn AwardsBest Supporting Actor[30]
2019Critics' Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesVice Principals[31]
Newport Beach Film FestivalEnsemble CastThem That Follow[32]
Hollywood Music in Media AwardsBest Original Song in a TV Show/Limited Series (shared with Joseph Stephens, Danny McBride, Edi Patterson and Jennifer Nettles) The Righteous Gemstones[33]
Satellite AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television[34]
2020Critics' Choice AwardsBest Actor in a Comedy SeriesThe Unicorn[35]
2023Satellite AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for TelevisionThe Righteous Gemstones[36]
2024Astra TV AwardsBest Actor in a Streaming Drama SeriesFallout[37]
Gotham TV AwardsOutstanding Performance in a Drama Series[38]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series[39]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Porter . Rick . 'Fallout' Teaser Showcases Post-Apocalyptic World . The Hollywood Reporter . December 2, 2023.
  2. News: Wilson Hunt. Stacey. Walton Goggins on 25 Years of Playing 'That Guy'. July 15, 2016. Vulture. July 15, 2016.
  3. Walton Goggins . . April 29, 2016 . April 30, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160430031314/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/walton-goggins/bio/178811 . dead.
  4. News: Interview: Walton Goggins . . Emily . VanDerWerff . January 31, 2012 . September 16, 2019.
  5. Rectify is the successor to Mad Men you've been looking for . . Scott . Meslow . June 20, 2014 . March 6, 2015.
  6. Web site: Justified Promotes Walton Goggins to Series Regular . TV Guide . Kate . Stanhope . May 5, 2010 . June 6, 2020.
  7. Web site: Nomination reaction: Walton Goggins . Stuart Levine . . July 14, 2011 . July 15, 2011.
  8. Web site: Walton Goggins Joins "Django Unchained. Celluloid and Cigarette Burns. Christopher M. April 12, 2012. July 31, 2012.
  9. Highfill. Samantha. 'Sons of Anarchy': Walton Goggins talks Venus Van Dam. Entertainment Weekly. October 9, 2012 . October 1, 2019.
  10. 'Justified's' Walton Goggins to Star in HBO's 'Vice Principals' . . Lesley . Goldberg . February 9, 2015 . March 6, 2015.
  11. News: Review: HBO's 'Vice Principals' Features Power Struggles and Potty Mouths . . Mike . Hale . July 15, 2016.
  12. Web site: Walton Goggins To Voice Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Podcast 'Deep Cover' From Malcolm Gladwell's Pushkin Industries. Peter. White. July 8, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  13. Web site: Walton Goggins Tells the Story of Losing His Front Teeth... Twice . 2024-06-03 . EW.com . en.
  14. News: Hollywood Hills Residents Mourn Tragic Loss . Winter . Kelly . November 16, 2004 . . Beverly Hills, California . May 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160503162530/http://www.canyon-news.com/artman/publish/article_2165.php.
  15. Web site: Under the Radar interview with Walton Goggins. Military.com. September 13, 2011.
  16. Web site: lmfarms . hindu to you too . Hindutoyoutoo.blogspot.com . January 28, 2015.
  17. Web site: Walton Goggins . Mulholland Distilling.
  18. Web site: Slamdance 2001 Film Festival Wrap Up . February 20, 2001. . October 24, 2023.
  19. Web site: McNary . Dave . SXSW festival winners announced . May 17, 2009 . Variety . October 24, 2023.
  20. Web site: Television Critics Association Announces 2009 Award Nominee . June 3, 2009 . . October 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161223131758/http://tvcritics.org/television-critics-association-announces-2009-award-nominees/ . December 23, 2016.
  21. Web site: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners . . October 24, 2023.
  22. Web site: Anderton . Ethan . Nominations for First Critics' Choice Television Awards Include Modern Family, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and More . June 6, 2011 . . October 24, 2023.
  23. Web site: 2011 . . October 24, 2023.
  24. Web site: San Diego Film Critics Select Top Films for 2012 . December 11, 2012 . . October 24, 2023.
  25. Web site: Chitwood . Adam . Game of Thrones, The Americans, and New Girl Score Critics Choice TV Awards Nominations; Mad Men and Modern Family Shunned . May 22, 2013 . Collider . October 24, 2023.
  26. Web site: Big Bang, Fargo, The Good Wife, Masters of Sex, The Normal Heart Lead 2014 Critics Choice Nominations . May 28, 2014 . . October 24, 2023.
  27. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . 'Justified', 'Olive Kitteridge', HBO Lead Critics' Choice TV AwardsNominees; Cat Deeley Set As Host – Update . May 6, 2015 . Deadline Hollywood . October 24, 2023.
  28. Web site: Moraski . Lauren . 2015 Hollywood Film Awards winners . November 2, 2015 . . October 24, 2023.
  29. Web site: Hipes . Patrick . Critics' Choice Awards Nominations: 'Mad Max' Leads Film; ABC, HBO, FX Networks & 'Fargo' Top TV . December 14, 2015 . Deadline Hollywood . October 24, 2023.
  30. Web site: Bryant . Jacob . 'Star Wars,' 'Mad Max,' 'Walking Dead' Lead Saturn Awards Nominations . February 24, 2023 . Variety . October 24, 2023.
  31. Web site: 23rd Annual Critics' Choice Awards – Winners. January 3, 2019 . . October 24, 2023.
  32. Web site: 2019 NBFF Awards . . October 24, 2023.
  33. Web site: 2019 Music in Visual Media Nominations . . October 24, 2023.
  34. Web site: 2019 Winners . International Press Academy . February 11, 2024.
  35. Web site: Hammond . Pete . 'The Irishman', 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Lead Critics' Choice Nominations; Netflix Dominates With 61 Noms In Movies And TV . December 8, 2019 . Deadline Hollywood . October 24, 2023.
  36. Web site: 2022 Awardees . International Press Academy . October 24, 2023.
  37. Web site: Prusakowski . Steven . July 9, 2024 . 2024 Astra TV Awards Nominees Announced . live . https://archive.today/20240710111319/https://awardsradar.com/2024/07/09/astra-tv-awards-2/ . July 10, 2024 . July 10, 2024.
  38. Web site: 'Baby Reindeer,' 'The Curse,' 'Shogun' Among Inaugural Gotham TV Awards Nominees . 2024-05-14 . . Verhoeven . Beatrice . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514182655/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/baby-reindeer-shogun-gotham-tv-awards-nominees-1235898291/ . 2024-05-14 . live.
  39. Web site: Fallout . 2024-07-17 . Television Academy . en.