Greg Nicotero Shares June 2015 Throwback With Andy
SFX maestro revisits that BTS moment, teasing how Rick Grimes star looked like an infant!!
Image: Instagram
The Throwback Snapshot
Greg Nicotero took fans back to June 2015 with a candid behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram. The image shows Nicotero standing next to Andrew Lincoln in makeup chairs on the set of The Walking Dead. In his caption, Nicotero quipped, “June 2015! Andy looks like a baby !” referring to Lincoln’s fresh-faced appearance and the close-knit atmosphere that defined early seasons.
Rick Grimes’ Baby Phase
Lincoln, affectionately called Andy by cast and crew, portrayed Sheriff Rick Grimes in AMC’s hit series for eight seasons. Filming in June 2015 corresponded with Season 6’s arc through Terminus, a storyline that tested many characters both physically and emotionally. The snapshot captures a moment of levity before the crew faced swarms of walkers and claustrophobic train tunnels—reminding fans how much the cast evolved over time.
From Makeup Master To Showrunner
Greg Nicotero’s roots in horror date back to the 1980s, when he co-founded KNB EFX Group alongside Howard Berger and Robert Kurtzman. He honed his skills on cult classics like Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness and the Scream franchise, collaborating with directors Sam Raimi and Wes Craven. Wikipedia notes that Nicotero joined The Walking Dead pilot in 2010 as special makeup effects designer and later ascended to director and executive producer. His inventive creature work and memorable gore sequences earned multiple Emmy Awards and helped propel the show into a global phenomenon.
Marking Milestones & Fan Events
Throwbacks are a recurring theme for Nicotero on social media. In October, he celebrated The Walking Dead’s 15th anniversary with a post reading, “15 years ago today we began filming a little show called THE WALKING DEAD! Here’s to those trailblazers on season 1 that contributed to one of the greatest hours of television!!!” He tagged showrunner Frank Darabont and acknowledged the team behind the series’ lauded pilot, “Days Gone Bye.” Fans applauded his gratitude toward early collaborators and his role in shaping the show’s visual identity.
Beyond the screen, Nicotero keeps horror devotees engaged at conventions like Days of the Dead. An Instagram update from Indianapolis showed him gearing up to meet fans, share effects tips and reveal anecdotes from set—offering more nostalgia in real time. Whether he’s unveiling an old snapshot of Lincoln or demonstrating prosthetic techniques on stage, Nicotero bridges past and present with genuine enthusiasm.
This June 2015 photo stands out as a simple yet powerful reminder of on-set camaraderie and the evolution of both cast and crew. Before the apocalypse took hold, it was about two professionals at work, joking in chairs that would soon host some of TV’s most harrowing transformations. For new viewers and long-time addicts alike, Nicotero’s nostalgic post underscores how far The Walking Dead has come—and how fondly its makers still look back.
Fans eager for more behind-the-scenes moments can revisit Nicotero’s Instagram feed, where throwbacks and celebration posts land almost weekly. From pilot reflections to convention previews, each update shines a light on the people who built an undead empire, one special effect at a time.
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