Walking Dead Star Scott Wilson Dead At 76

Scott Wilson, who portrayed Hershel Greene on The Walking Dead, has sadly passed away.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, the beloved actor died peacefully in his Los Angeles home following a battle with leukemia, TMZ reports. He was 76 years old. At the time of this writing, further details surrounding Wilson's death have yet to be revealed. 

While speaking with the media outlet, Wilson's rep, Dominic Mancini, called the television and film vet "a national treasure, a calm voice, and a gentle spirit to everyone who came in contact with him." Meanwhile, the hit AMC series' official Twitter account has also reacted to the loss. "We are deeply saddened to report that Scott Wilson, the incredible actor who played Hershel on #TheWalkingDead, has passed away at the age of 76," the post read. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in paradise, Scott. We love you!"

Wilson, who'd amassed more than 80 acting credits to his name, joined The Walking Dead during it's second season in 2010, before his character was killed off in season four. However, showrunner Angela Kang revealed at New York Comic-Con on Saturday that Wilson will reprise his fan-favorite role in the series' upcoming season (via Variety). Season nine is set to premiere on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

After making his acting debut in 1967's In the Heat of the Night, Wilson went on to earn a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in The Ninth Configuration in 1980. Over the span of his five-decade career, he starred in a number of other projects, including In Cold Blood, The Great Gatsby, Dead Man Walking, Pearl Harbor, The Last Samurai, and CSI. His final role on the big screen was in Hostiles in 2017.

After the news of Wilson's passing broke, a number of fans, celebs, and former Walking Dead co-stars took to social media to share their thoughts and express their condolences. "The first time I met Scott Wilson, he gave me a big hug and said that this thing I had become apart of... was a family," Khary Payton, who plays King Ezekiel on the show, wrote in a heartfelt tribute. "He said I had a responsibility to take care of it. I have tried very hard to do that, sir. & I will continue. I promise. See you on the other side, my friend."

Meanwhile, Michael Cudlitz, who portrayed Abraham Ford on the series, tweeted, "Rest easy my friend...... rest easy."

According to NBC News, Wilson is survived by his wife, Heavenly Koh Wilson.

Our thoughts are with Wilson's loved ones during this difficult time.