Jeffrey Dean Morgan, a seasoned actor known for his roles in 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Supernatural', and 'The Walking Dead', has opened up about a challenging period in his career. In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast, Morgan revealed that his manager fired him due to his age just before he landed his breakthrough roles. This decision, he claims, was made despite his manager's long-standing relationship with him.
Morgan, now 60, recalled the moment he was let go, saying, 'I remember being in my mid-30s going, 'This didn’t work out.' And my manager had just fired me right before I got the three shows. I’d been with her forever. And she was like, 'You’ve aged out, bro. You missed your window.' And she got rid of me and Max Martini at the same time and said the same thing to both of us.'
This experience, however, marked a turning point for Morgan. Just a week after being fired, he received calls for three major roles: 'Supernatural', 'Grey’s Anatomy', and 'Weeds'. He described this period as a struggle, saying, 'I’d do a pilot every now and again and [book] guest star spots and movies that people have never heard of that might take me to Comic-Con though.'
Morgan's journey to success was not without its hardships. He recalled 'always side hustling' to pay his bills, even taking on jobs like building fences. This period of financial instability, he said, was a necessary part of his career development.
Despite the challenges, Morgan's perseverance paid off. He has since landed iconic roles such as Negan in 'The Walking Dead', Denny Duquette in 'Grey's Anatomy', and John Winchester in 'Supernatural'. His success in the industry is a testament to his talent and resilience, proving that age is just a number in Hollywood.
