Walton Goggins’ 10 Best TV Shows & Movies, Ranked

Walton Goggins is now a recognizable face thanks to popular shows like Fallout and The White Lotus, but he’s actually been a working actor for a long time – since the late 1980s, in fact.

Walton Goggins has a distinctive look and a relaxed, charismatic personality that makes him instantly recognizable. However, he’s also a remarkably versatile actor, capable of excelling in everything from animated superhero roles to sharp comedies. Throughout his career, he’s appeared in many shows and movies, but a few performances really stand out.

10. Three Christs (2017)

The film Three Christs tells the story of three patients with schizophrenia, each of whom believes they are Jesus Christ. What makes it particularly fascinating is that it’s based on real events. The movie centers around Dr. Alan Stone, a psychologist who challenged the harsh and often cruel ways schizophrenic patients were treated in the 1950s.

When the doctor discovered three of his patients shared the same unusual delusion, he decided to try group therapy, hoping to uncover the source of their individual problems. Actor David Goggins portrays Leon Gabor, a patient grappling with deeply disturbing religious and sexual experiences. The series is unconventional, but offers a compelling look at how mental health was treated during that time.

9. Django Unchained (2012)

Goggins delivers a compelling performance as the villain Billy Crash, significantly raising the film’s emotional impact and enhancing its striking visuals. Often considered one of Quentin Tarantino’s best films, Django features a surprisingly touching story that is made even more powerful by the intense challenges faced by the formerly enslaved protagonist.

The film is notable for its visually striking action and its unique, uplifting take on the pre-Civil War South. It can be difficult to watch at times, yet it’s utterly captivating. Walton Goggins feels perfectly suited to the Western genre.

8. The Shield (2002-2008)

I remember when The Shield first came out – it really put both Stephen Goggins and FX on the map as creators of seriously good television. What I loved most was how flawed and complicated all the characters were, constantly battling between doing the right thing and getting their hands dirty. Goggins’ character, Shane Vendrell, was amazing throughout all seven seasons. One of the earliest storylines that hooked me involved him getting pulled into a cover-up when Vic Mackey accidentally shot a new member of their team. It immediately set the tone for how morally grey the show was going to be!

What sets The Shield apart from other dark crime shows is how deeply its characters change and fall throughout the series. Even within a generally bleak and depressing world, the ultimate fate of Vendrell is particularly shocking. Goggins’ acting brilliantly reminds us that, even though these characters do terrible things, they’re still human.

7. The Uninvited (2024)

Released in 2025, The Uninvited is a surprisingly good film featuring a cast of familiar television actors. It didn’t get much attention, which is a shame, because it uniquely combines the superficial world of Hollywood with genuine emotional moments. The story centers around a talent agent (Goggins) whose plans to host an important party are disrupted when an elderly woman unexpectedly arrives at his door.

This unwelcome event reveals a hollowness in Hollywood and forces Sammy and his wife, Rose, to confront difficult realities. Though his character seems self-absorbed and focused on his career, Walton Goggins delivers a performance with a deeply felt emotional center that’s evident from the start.

6. The White Lotus (2025 – Season 3)

Rick Hatchett, played by Goggins, was a standout character in the third season of HBO’s The White Lotus. The show is known for its satirical look at wealthy people who don’t realize how meaningless their problems are, especially when contrasted with the beautiful surroundings they enjoy.

Season 3 had moments that felt unusually grim—beyond the show’s typical deaths, there was a shooting and a disturbing storyline where Timothy contemplated harming his family. However, the season was redeemed by Rick’s story, which showcased the show’s signature blend of comedy and drama. Rick and his girlfriend, Chelsea, provided the emotional core of the season.

5. The Hateful Eight (2015)

Though it’s a bit lengthy at almost three hours, The Hateful Eight is a standout film from Quentin Tarantino, boasting compelling characters and a strong story. It’s essentially a Western-style whodunnit, reminiscent of the game Clue, and filled with over-the-top violence.

The story takes place ten years after the Civil War. Actor Goggins plays Chris Mannix, the sheriff of Red Rock, who still holds Confederate beliefs. Goggins adds a touch of playful charm to the role, subtly recognizing the character’s flawed views while also making him surprisingly likable.

4. Invincible (2021-Present)

Invincible stands out as an animated series with an incredibly talented voice cast, and it really utilizes their skills. At its heart, the show tells a familiar superhero story: a young man discovers his powers and tries to follow in his parents’ footsteps while balancing his normal life with his heroic duties. Steven Yeun delivers a convincing performance as Cecil Stedman, the tough director of the Global Defense Agency, who is truly dedicated to keeping the world safe.

What makes Invincible so enduring is its powerful combination of strong acting, writing, and animation. It feels like a classic childhood cartoon, but quickly elevates the experience with intense, realistic fight scenes that emphasize the emotional core of the story. The incredible voice cast, including Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, and J.K. Simmons, truly brings the characters and their feelings to life.

3. The Righteous Gemstones (2019-2025)

Image via Max

The Righteous Gemstones hilariously explores what happens when wealth and religion become too intertwined. The show, which centers around a family of privileged but immature adult children, has a similar vibe to Arrested Development, but Danny McBride really leans into the comedic potential of the mega-church world in the American South.

The Gemstone family show is quickly becoming unique, largely due to Giancarlo Esposito’s portrayal of Baby Billy Freeman. Billy acts like a spoiled child star, constantly causing trouble, but he’s also deeply affected by being the sole survivor of his family. This makes it easy to switch between judging his actions and feeling sorry for him, and it’s one of Esposito’s most captivating roles.

2. Justified (2010-2015)

As a big fan of Westerns, I really appreciate how Justified managed to bring that feel to a modern setting. It avoids the usual problems with period pieces or futuristic Westerns – you don’t need to understand a whole different world to get into it. Instead of spending time building that world, the show really focuses on creating a strong atmosphere, and Harlan County itself feels like a character. It’s just brilliantly done.

The central question of what makes violence acceptable provides a complex moral landscape for the characters, and strong writing and acting consistently make the show excellent. Goggins’ character, Boyd Crowder, initially seems like a straightforward opponent to Raylan Givens, but quickly reveals layers of complexity, becoming a major character in his own right.

1. Fallout (2024-Present)

The huge popularity of the Fallout TV show is proving that video game adaptations can be successful. It was a big undertaking to create a new story within the world of the Fallout games, while also staying true to the rich history established in the five major role-playing games. The series has now brought Fallout to a much wider audience.

Even though Fallout is already a strong show, Walton Goggins’ performance is a major reason why it’s so good. His character, The Ghoul, quickly became popular with fans, leading to appearances in the Fallout 76 and Fallout Shelter games, and even a holiday special called The Ghoul Log. Despite heavy makeup and prosthetics, Goggins manages to convey a lot of emotion through The Ghoul’s eyes.

The show reveals important parts of the overall Fallout story through flashbacks focusing on Cooper Howard, who eventually becomes the Ghoul. Actor Walton Goggins skillfully plays both versions of the character, highlighting both their connection and how drastically they’ve changed. As the Ghoul tells Lucy, “I’m you, sweetie. You just need to wait and see.”

2026-01-12 01:51