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Walker Voices Silenced: Rif Hutton Honored
27 Jul
Summary
- Rif Hutton, the voice of walkers, has died at age 73.
- His iconic vocalizations defined the undead for 16 years.
- Tributes poured in from The Walking Dead universe and NCIS.
Actor Rif Hutton, the distinctive voice behind the walkers in The Walking Dead universe, passed away on April 18, 2026, at the age of 73. His vocal contributions, including growls, moans, and snarls, have been a hallmark of the undead since the franchise's inception in 2010. Hutton lent his unique talent to all Walking Dead series, including Fear The Walking Dead, World Beyond, Tales of the Walking Dead, Dead City, Daryl Dixon, and The Ones Who Live.
His significant impact on pop culture and the horror genre was acknowledged by Scott M. Gimple, Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe, who hailed Hutton as "one of the greatest of all time" in providing walker voices. Hutton also had a presence on-screen, appearing in NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles in recurring roles. His diverse acting career included memorable parts in Doogie Howser, M.D., and JAG, as well as his memorable face of KFC commercials in the 1990s.
