The Walking "Dad": See Chandler Riggs' Sweet Birthday Note For "Idol" Andrew lincoln 

Credit: Chandler Riggs on Instagram Photo: Chandler Riggs Shares Photo With Andrew Lincoln, For Andy's 41st Birthday

Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) turned 41-years-perfect on September 14, and his The Walking Dead co-stars (and fans) shared several birthday messages online.

Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) shared a classic Norman message, writing “Happy birthday to one of the best people I know," pairing it with a spoof of Rick’s “Survive” poster, showing Rick "Pooping." Andy, you’re the sh-t!

But our favorite message is the heartfelt note posted by Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes). Andy and Chandler play father and son on screen, and they share a similar relationship off screen. Chandler posted the black-and-white photo shown above, with this message:

"happy birthday to my idol and favorite actor. 5 years ago, i met this old man, and i had no idea if i would see him again. andy, youve been a massive inspiration to me, and i thank you so much for teaching me and helping me through things. happy birthday, \'dad.\'"

Isn\'t that beautiful? Chandler was cast on TWD when he was 10 and now he’s 15, so he’s literally grown up with Andy and fellow actors. A few months ago, on ask.fm, Chandler was asked which cast member he was closest to. He replied, “andy for sure.” When someone followed up with “Who do you talk to the most on set?” He answered, “andy lol.”

That affection is certainly reciprocated by his “dad.” Watch the Gold Derby video below, around the 30 minute mark, to hear Andy rave about Chandler’s maturity over the years. “I love working with him, we have a shorthand, there’s something — I learn from him,” Andy says. “We got lucky, like many parts of the show, we got lucky with him. … He’s a very impressive young man, I love working with him, and I do feel — it’s very strange — I feel very fatherly and paternal toward him, and we have a laugh.”

They are aging and growing together as a mini family. Happy belated b-day to Papa Grimes, who is definitely setting a good example for his son. Keep up the great work!

The Walking Dead Season 5 premieres Sunday, October 12 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

Sources: Chandler on Instagram, Norman on Instagram, Gold Derby

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