Before The Walking Dead, Jon Bernthal Was In A Forgotten Sitcom With A Modern Family Star

Before Jon Bernthal became widely known as Shane Walsh in The Walking Dead, he made his mark in television through a one-season CBS sitcom called The Class. This show, which aired in 2007, starred Jesse Tyler Ferguson, another Modern Family alum. The Class revolved around eight alumni from Woodman Elementary School who reunite for a reunion party after 20 years. Each character had their own unique story, including Duncan Carmello, played by Bernthal, who struggled with moving on from a past relationship.

The Class was created by David Crane, who also co-created Friends, and aimed to be a serialized show with a broader canvas than typical sitcoms. However, despite strong initial ratings, the show faced budgetary constraints and poor Nielsen ratings, leading to its cancellation after just one season. Despite its short lifespan, The Class had a significant impact on several aspiring actors, including Ferguson, Sean Maguire, Lizzy Caplan, Andrea Anders, and Jason Ritter, who went on to achieve successful television careers.

Jon Bernthal's performance as Shane in The Walking Dead proved to be his breakout role, catapulting him to stardom. His subsequent television roles showcased his talent for intense and complex characters, as seen in his roles as Detective Joe Teague in Mob City and Frank Castle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His latest role in The Bear earned him critical acclaim.