Jeffrey Dean Morgan Credits Grey’s Anatomy for His Career Breakthrough

effrey Dean Morgan, the fan-favorite actor best known as Negan in The Walking Dead universe, says his life — and career — were forever changed by one unforgettable role: Denny Duquette on Grey’s Anatomy.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor reveals that he hasn’t had to audition for a single role since his appearance on the hit ABC medical drama.

“That show honestly gave me a career. I was doing that, Weeds, and Supernatural at the same time… I’ve auditioned zero times since playing Denny Duquette,” Morgan, 59, shared.

The Defining Role That Changed Everything for Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Almost 20 years ago, Jeffrey Dean Morgan left a lasting impression as Denny Duquette, a lovable heart transplant patient on Grey’s Anatomy who falls for Dr. Izzie Stevens, played by Katherine Heigl. Though his time on the show was brief and ended in tragedy, the role proved to be a turning point.

“I had been in the industry for quite a while, but no one really knew my name,” Morgan said. “That role launched my entire career.”

Following his breakout on Grey’s Anatomy, doors quickly opened. Morgan went on to star in films like P.S. I Love You with Hilary Swank, and he credits his role as Denny for landing a part in Watchmen.

“Zack Snyder cast me in Watchmen because he saw me as Denny,” Morgan explained. “How he made the leap from Denny to the Comedian still surprises me — but I’m grateful he did.”

Jeffrey Dean Morgan on Negan, Hosting, and the Role That Started It All

The Unexpected Call That Led to Negan
In 2015, Jeffrey Dean Morgan got a call that would steer his career in a whole new direction.

“My reps called and said there was an offer from The Walking Dead,” Morgan recalled. “They didn’t even have all the character details yet.”

But Morgan had a strong suspicion.

“I asked, ‘Is it Negan?’ They weren’t sure — but I was. I just said, ‘If it’s Negan, I’m in.’”

That decision launched one of the most memorable performances in modern TV. Morgan’s portrayal of the brutal yet layered villain captivated audiences, and nearly ten years later, he continues to bring the character to life in The Walking Dead: Dead City.

A New Role: Game Show Host — Seriously
While best known for tough, charismatic roles, Morgan recently made a surprising shift — as the host of NBC’s reality competition series Destination X.

“Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how I ended up doing this,” he joked. “I’m not exactly the polished TV host type.”

His wife, actress and former MTV host Hilarie Burton Morgan, played a big part in encouraging him.

“She told me, ‘This is your shot to try something new and unexpected.’ And she was right.”

The series, filmed across Europe, features blindfolded contestants solving location-based challenges while traveling by bus. Each round, the contestant with the worst guess is sent home.

“I got to travel across Europe and just have fun with it,” Morgan said. “It was something completely different — and I genuinely had a blast.”

Looking Back at Denny Duquette
Despite the wide range of roles he’s taken on since, Morgan says his time on Grey’s Anatomy still sticks with him.

“Denny is the role I think about most,” he admitted. “Every now and then, something will pop up on social media and hit me right in the chest.”

He credits the character — and the opportunity — for everything that followed.

“I thank Shonda Rhimes in my head all the time. That role opened every door. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment that set my career in motion.”

Watch Jeffrey Dean Morgan on Destination X
Destination X airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC
Available for streaming the next day on Peacock.