From Justified to The Righteous Gemstones: Walton Goggins’ 11 most unforgettable TV shows, ranked

Walton Goggins is more than a character actor; he's a genre-bending chameleon capable of stealing a scene with no more than a smirk or a drawl. From lawless outlaws and crooked cops to deranged vice principals and charming ghouls, Goggins has built a career playing unforgettable misfits. What makes him stand out isn't so much his range, but the intensity and honesty he brings to each performance, whether it's in gritty crime shows or black comedies. In the last two decades, he's amassed a resume filled with cult classics, critical favorites, and now, blockbusters like Fallout and Invincible.

He's one of the few actors who simply showing up adds unpredictability, pathos, and a dash of chaos to any given scene. His performances aren't merely memorable, they're magnetic, frequently elevating supporting roles to emotional anchor or fan-favorite icon status. With every role, Goggins demonstrates that he's not merely a familiar face; he's a force of storytelling. In this list, we count down his 11 most memorable TV performances, highlighting not only his range but also the distinctive stamp he leaves on every show he touches. Believe us, if Goggins is involved, it's worth viewing.

Disclaimer - This article contains the author's opinions. Reader's discretion is advised.

Walton Goggins’ most unforgettable TV shows, ranked

11) Invincible (2021–present) – Cecil Stedman

In Amazon Prime's animated juggernaut Invincible, Goggins brings Cecil Stedman, the veteran director of the Global Defense Agency, to life with his distinctive voice. Although the series boasts an all-star supporting cast, Goggins gives nuance to a morally complex character walking a bloody superhero tightrope. In Season 2, Cecil's story was deepened, showing layers of vulnerability under the bureaucratic bluster. What's brilliant is how Goggins injects subtle sarcasm and weariness into every line, separating Cecil from standard government archetypes. His performance still raises the animated game, demonstrating that Goggins doesn't require a screen presence to command his voice alone is more than sufficient to make a mark.

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10) Deep State (2019) – Nathan Miller

Goggins had a stint in the political thriller Deep State as Nathan Miller, a veteran CIA agent drowning in the madness of espionage and clandestine war. Although the series only ran for one season with him, Goggins infused a sharp, cold assurance into a man perpetually two steps ahead. His understated reactions and measured delivery made Miller both reliable and suspect, a nice balance for a show predicated on lies. What made his performance stand out was how he exercised emotional restraint without losing intensity. It's one of Goggins' underappreciated performances, demonstrating how he gets your attention even in the most tightly coiled dramas.

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9) Six (2017–2018) – Richard ‘Rip’ Taggart

In the gritty military series Six, Goggins replaced Joe Manganiello after the pilot and delivered a tour-de-force as Rip Taggart, a tortured Navy SEAL with deep moral conflicts. Unlike typical war heroes, Rip was flawed, damaged, and driven by regret, making the character unusually complex for a military drama. Goggins' commitment to realism, including weapon training and emotional vulnerability, gave Rip tragic credibility. Although the series didn't survive beyond two seasons, Goggins' performance was its pulse. His exploration of masculinity frayed by trauma was raw, close, and haunting, particularly to veterans and viewers looking for emotional complexity in war stories.

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8) The Unicorn (2019–2021) – Wade Felton

The Unicorn presented a new side of Walton Goggins, sincere, awkward, and endearing. As Wade Felton, a widower who is parenting alone, Goggins traded his typical edginess for vulnerability and authenticity. The CBS sitcom provided him with a welcome opportunity to use his comedic and dramatic chops at the same time. His chemistry with the supporting cast made every "dad trying to date again" moment delightful instead of a cliché. Goggins even assisted in formulating his character's emotional moments, using actual experiences. Even if it went unnoticed, The Unicorn demonstrated he could be an everyday guy audiences could identify with, not merely a scene-stealing outlaw or nefarious villain.

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7) The White Lotus (2025) – Rick Hatchett

The White Lotus has a reputation for casting scene-stealers, and Walton Goggins is no exception. As Rick Hatchett in Season 3, his character brings a mysterious Southern accent and cryptic agenda to the show's newest exotic location. Although HBO has been tight-lipped about much of his plot, early word has Goggins playing a wealthy guest caught up in local politics and resort scandal. His signature suaveness paired with a background sense of threat is already being celebrated as one of the season's best. Goggins' involvement guarantees that even heaven can feel a little wrong, and that's precisely why The White Lotus had him on its wish list.

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6) Sons of Anarchy (2012–2014) – Venus Van Dam

Walton Goggins' guest appearance as Venus Van Dam, a transgender escort, in Sons of Anarchy was trailblazing, emotional, and surprisingly poignant. Showing up for a handful of episodes, Goggins presented one of the series' most tear-jerking arcs, imbuing Venus with vulnerability and strength amidst hyper-masculinity. His dedication to the role researching gender identity and working with LGBTQ+ consultants garnered him enormous admiration from audiences and critics. Even years later, Goggins mentions Venus as one of his most personally significant characters. With the cultural dialogue about representation expanding, his work is being rediscovered and applauded for its nuance and empathy.

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5) Vice Principals (2016–2017) – Lee Russell

In HBO's Vice Principals, Goggins unleashed comedy mayhem as Lee Russell, the narcissistic, fashion-forward vice principal who's half-villain, half-buffoon. His chemistry with Danny McBride made one of television's most hysterical duos, walking a thin line between absurdity and darkness. Russell's unforgettable-ness lies in Goggins' body-wide commitment, his expressive flamboyance, rage unleashed, and razor-sharp delivery. Goggins was involved in creating much of the character's quirkiness, even improvising several of the show's most iconic scenes. As the cult audience of the show has increased after streaming, Lee Russell is today hailed as TV's most outlandish character.

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4) Fallout (2024–present) – The Ghoul / Cooper Howard

In Fallout, Goggins owns every frame as both Cooper Howard and his post-apocalyptic doppelganger, The Ghoul. Alternating between pre-war suave and ghoulish ugliness, he gives a rich performance that grounds the epic universe. Pundits and fans alike concur: Goggins is the heart and soul of the series, and he walks the tightrope between emotion and brutality with ease. His transformation, both physical and emotional, is the most compelling in recent TV. Behind-the-scenes clips demonstrate his commitment to prosthetics and method acting. With Season 2 set, Goggins is becoming the franchise's legend, again demonstrating that he excels in morally ambiguous, stylized universes.

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3) The Righteous Gemstones (2019–2025) – Baby Billy Freeman

No one mixes gospel charm and sleazy manipulation like Baby Billy Freeman. Goggins' turn in The Righteous Gemstones is a mix of vanity, delusion, and Southern charm. He sings. He swindles. He dances in neon. Baby Billy is absurd, but you can't help but watch. Goggins allegedly worked with the costume and music departments to get Billy's televangelist look just right, so every scene feels genuinely deranged. Whether baptizing individuals in shopping malls or fleeing responsibility, Baby Billy is one of Goggins' most daring and meme-able creations to date.

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2) The Shield (2002–2008) – Shane Vendrell

Before Goggins was a household name, The Shield demonstrated his range in frightening ways. Shane Vendrell, a dirty and reckless cop, developed a character both seriously flawed and painfully human. The last season, particularly the jaw-dropping series finale, is one of TV's most jaw-dropping arcs, largely due to Goggins' chilling performance. Even Michael Chiklis referred to him as the "emotional core" of the series. Recently, there has been renewed hype surrounding The Shield with rumors of a spiritual follow-up, and fans are going back through Shane's fall. Goggins didn't merely act a villain, he acted a man breaking in real time. Riveting.

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1) Justified (2010–2015) – Boyd Crowder

Boyd Crowder wasn't even going to make it past the pilot, but Walton Goggins' galvanizing performance rendered the character indispensable. On Justified, Goggins took a Bible-verse-spouting, neo-Nazi, former miner and made him one of television's most interesting and intriguing antiheroes. His dynamic with Timothy Olyphant's Raylan Givens generated some of the finest dialogue duels in contemporary television. Goggins infused Boyd with poetic charisma, half menace, half melancholy. His philosophical ramblings caused you to forget he was the bad guy. Even after the series ended, fans still argue whether Boyd was really bad or just born into bad choices. Goggins ensured we never knew for sure.