Hello Cody Rowlett, and thank you for your time for the fans of WearetheWalkingDead.de. 

Thanks for reaching out! I’m always excited to talk about my time and memories from The Walking Dead universe. It was definitely one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. 

 

When did you know you wanted to be an actor? 

I’ve always been drawn to entertainment in some way—whether it was acting, music, or just being around the creative process. But I wouldn’t say there was a specific moment when I decided to be an actor. I’ve always enjoyed being part of productions, especially when there’s less pressure. Comedy and writing are also things I love, but I’ve always just considered myself more of a creative person who likes being involved in any way I can. 

 

You worked in two of my favorite series, The Walking Dead. How did you get cast? 

Jobs like this were often posted on extras casting boards or local actor bulletins. Having a talent agent wasn’t really necessary for this—in fact, most agents don’t want us taking extra work. But being an extra is a great way to learn set etiquette and see how everything works behind the scenes. 

At the time, I was already working as an extras casting assistant and doing stand-in and precision driving work for other productions. I had worked with the extras casting company for The Walking Dead before, and since I’m tall and skinny, they reached out to me. The casting call mentioned “hero zombies” and a required “zombie school”, which sounded too cool to pass up. 

 

Which role did you play in the series? 

They called us a “hero” or “featured” zombie. Your role title was based on how they style your makeup and costume. For me, they picked out a “businessman zombie” look because of my size and the wardrobe they had. 

My first scene was supposed to follow Rick shooting the little girl with the bunny slippers at the gas station in the pilot episode. The sound of the gunshot wakes up zombies in cars parked around the station, and we wake up and begin to attack Rick as he tries to fight back. That scene was cut for time and now leads to credits, but it ended up in the pilot promo video and promotional materials for Season 1. 

I was also in Season 2, Episode 1, during the highway scene with the RV. That day was brutal with the heat and makeup, but it was so much fun to be part of it. My likeness even ended up on promo materials, trading cards, video games, pinball machines and various merch, which my friends and family thought was pretty cool. 

 

Tell us about zombie school! 

In the early days, zombie school was mandatory for anyone playing a featured zombie, and it just shows how seriously they took the project. They rented out a huge warehouse in Atlanta and trained us on how to move and act like the zombies for the show. It was like modeling school, but instead of a catwalk, you were dragging a foot and perfecting that undead shuffle. It was a fun experience, and it definitely helped everyone stay consistent on set. 

 

Working in the TWD universe, what’s the first thing you remember when you look back on set? 

The makeup and special effects team stood out the most. Sitting in Greg Nicotero’s chair for makeup was an honor—he even told me I was the first zombie to sit in it for the start of filming. The team’s dedication to detail was incredible, and they made sure everything looked perfect. 

Of course, I also remember the heat and long hours—it’s not glamorous, but it’s all part of the experience! 

 

What do you think has been the key to the show’s success? 

The production quality was top-notch. The effects, the cinematography, and the storytelling kept people engaged. The characters really pulled you in, and you cared about what happened to them. That emotional connection is what made it so special. 

 

Here’s a fun hypothetical: How would you fare in a zombie apocalypse? 

I’ve thought about this, and I’d probably go the loner route at first. I’m pretty resourceful and would try to set up a “safe” area, but I’d team up with the right people if they came along. Honestly, though, I like air conditioning and showers, so I’d probably aim for a resort with a generator and just try to stay out of trouble. I’m not exactly hero material, but I’d like to think I could survive with a good strategy. 

 

You also worked on Zombieland and The Vampire Diaries. Can you share anything about those experiences? 

For Zombieland, I worked as “panicked” background and helped with abandoned vehicle scenes on a closed highway near the Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was my first time working with that casting company, and I ended up parking and re-parking “abandoned” cars because the PA couldn’t drive stick shift. It was a fun set with a great crew, and I made some lifelong friends there. 

For The Vampire Diaries, I worked as an extras casting assistant during Season 1&2 and occasionally stepped in as an extra when needed. I became the regular “animal control” guy, when needed. They had a tendency to blame animals a lot. Everyone on that set was so friendly, and it was a great environment to work in. 

 

What’s been your personal highlight so far? 

The Walking Dead is definitely a standout because of its cultural impact. Seeing my likeness on trading cards, posters, and merch was a surreal experience for my friends and family. Another highlight was working on Killers, where I got to stunt drive as Ashton Kutcher through a neighborhood while being chased by a helicopter. Any time I get to drive like I’m escaping death is a good time! 

 

You’re not only an actor; you’re also a singer. What can you say about your music? 

Thanks for letting me plug my music!  I’ve always been a musician, dating back to my days in a ’90s early ’00s boyband. After the boyband, I found myself behind the scenes writing and developing others. I took some time away with real life, tv and film, but felt the call to return to it. I’ve been working on a project for a while now and am releasing tracks over the coming months. My latest song, “Heartbeat,” (release Jan 4) is an upbeat pop track getting buzz that I’m really excited about. I hope everyone takes a moment to check it out! 

​

Heartbeat!  Available JAN 4th  https://ditto.fm/heartbeat-cody-rowlett

 

Is there anything else you’d like to let TWD fans or your music fans know? 

Just a big thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way, whether it’s through The Walking Dead or my music. It has been so great getting to meet and talk to fans about my time on set. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met along the way.