The Walking Dead Star Quits Social Media Following Harassment And Death Threats

By Brandon Davis

One key member of The Walking Dead cast has elected to quit social media in the wake of negativity clouding his notifications.

Josh McDermitt, who plays Eugene Porter on the AMC series, pulled his accounts down from Twitter and Instagram this week. The actor regularly engaged with fans and followers on the platform but got to a point where enough was enough with negativity beginning to take over.

McDermitt joined The Walking Dead in 2014, for Episode 4x10: Inmates. His character debuted with Christian Serratos and Michael Cudlitz's Rosita and Abraham characters, as a bunch of tough guys marching to Washington D.C. with a cure for the zombie virus which turned out to be a sham.

Eugene's Turn

Through Season 7, McDermitt's Eugene has undergone a transformation in terms of his allegiance. The character swapped sides ahead of the impending war when Negan, the man who had recently killed his best friend Abraham, took him as a prisoner to the Sanctuary.

However, upon arrival, Eugene was treated to nights with wives and jars of pickles which was more than enough to earn his unique skill set's loyalty. Eugene would quickly begin fortifying the Sanctuary's defenses and manufacturing defensive tools for the group. However, he would also march on Alexandria with the Saviors and dish out threats to his former buddy Rick Grimes when Negan wanted to get inside.

Eugene was fully willing to let his friends die.

Now, social media has begun attacking the actor playing the part.

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Social Reaction

Some fans are unable to separate the fictional aspect of The Walking Dead from the very real life Josh McDermitt is living. They have chosen to voice their opinion of McDermitt, shaped by Eugene's scripted decisions, online.

Many fans have quickly come to actor's defense, though.

In any case, it all prompted McDermitt to shut his social media down.

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McDermitt's Message

According to the source posting the above video, McDermitt's message to unsupportive followers was posted on the night of The Walking Dead's Season 7 finale.

"Death threats, don't send me death threats, because I will report all that s--- to the cops. I'm just sick of it," McDermitt said. "You can hate Eugene, I don't care. You can think whatever you want but when you start saying you hope I die, I don't know if you're talking about Josh or Eugene. I gotta report that s---, so, just don't be an a---hole. And just stop complaining. Just stop complaining about everything on the Internet. Just go spend time with your family or friends or loved ones. Just get off the Internet."

McDermitt did conclude his video in a high note for the fans he has always appreciated. "I love you," McDermitt said. I do. I love you guys."

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Other Cast Members

McDermitt is not the only cast member to have experienced harassing on social media. During The Walking Dead's seventh season, Tara Chambler actress Alanna Masterson spoke out against the Internet's bullies.

The actress was featured in an episode of The Walking Dead which saw her Tara character going on a solo adventure to the new community of Oceanside. Along the way, she was involved in several intense stunt sequences, killed countless zombies, and was left running for her life when the Oceanside bunch decided they wanted to kill her. Nevertheless, the Internet decided to ruin some of the fun for the actress and comment on her weight in the wake of Masterson having a new baby.

Dear Instagram trolls, body shamers, and the men and woman who think it's ok to comment on my weight: I hope that you don't have children. And if you do, I hope you teach them about kindness and acceptance. I hope they learn that it isn't ok to make fun of people or call people names. I hope one day YOU learn what it takes to be a parent. A kind, selfless parent. A working parent. A parent that puts themselves in someone else's shoes. Maybe you can't get it through your thick fucking skull, but nursing a baby for a year (and pumping in a van between takes, in the dead of summer in Georgia) is a lot of work, determination, and scheduling. So before you decide to make a comment about my chest being "too large" or how "fat" I've become, just know that this little girl got the best start to life. I wouldn't have changed it for a second. I would've gladly continued to eat enough calories to produce milk for her little bones to grow. Also, grow the fuck up. Your mother should be ashamed for raising such a judgmental bully. I'm sure she knows how "courageous" you must be for trolling and hiding behind your Iphone and computers. P.s. I would LOVE to see any man or woman give birth to a baby, nurse the baby, and then work 17 hour days and NAIL their own stunts. P.s.s. Be kind to each other. We need it now more than ever. ❤️✌?️

A photo posted by Alanna Masterson (@lucytwobows) on

In her message on Instagram, Masterson used her words to put these trolls in their place, as well as encourage kindness and love throughout the world.

Masterson and McDermitt are unlikely to be the only Walking Dead stars, or actors anywhere for that matter, to be receiving negative feedback on the Internet. They are simply taking a stand against it.

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More Walking Dead

MORE WALKING DEAD: TWD Actor Teases Epic Return From Season 1 / FTWD Renewed For Season 4 / TWD Showrunner Joins FTWD / TWD F-Take Clips With Rick And Daryl / How Long Until New TWD? / Major Criticism Fixed For Season 8 / TWD Casting Two New Characters

The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season in October of 2017. The first trailer is expected to arrive at San Diego Comic Con in July. For complete coverage and insider info all off-season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.

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