Rick Grimes actor was born Andrew Clutterbuck, sparking fan theories.
Summary
– Fans discover Andrew Lincoln’s real surname is Clutterbuck
– Agent suggested the name change to help his acting career
– The original surname’s odd meaning causes an internet stir
Many Walking Dead fans are just now discovering that Andrew Lincoln, best known as Rick Grimes, was born Andrew James Clutterbuck. The British actor, who played the iconic sheriff for eight seasons before leaving the show in 2018, changed his name early in his career after advice from his agent. According to Lincoln, Clutterbuck sounded more like a hobbit’s name than a Hollywood star, so the switch to “Lincoln” was made to help him land roles.
The revelation quickly becomes a talking point online, with some fans joking about the odd surname. One Reddit user claimed Clutterbuck means “s**t shoveler,” while others compared it to names from Harry Potter or fantasy novels. Lincoln himself has acknowledged the unusual quality of his birth name, often poking fun at it during interviews.
Before joining The Walking Dead, Lincoln became famous in the British series This Life, playing Edgar “Egg” Cook. He continued to build his career with roles in Channel 4’s Teachers and the beloved holiday film Love. But his transformation into Rick Grimes—complete with a Southern accent and fierce determination—made him a household name on both sides of the Atlantic.
Despite his success, Lincoln admitted he never watched himself on The Walking Dead, preferring not to see his performances. With this name revelation, fans have one more quirky fact to add to his legacy—one that will stick around long after the Walkers are gone.
