Howard Stern interviews actor Jon Bernthal about his early life, brushes with the law, and the career breaks that took him from theatre training to major television and film roles. Bernthal recounts a 2009 incident in Venice, Los Angeles, in which he says he punched a man during a confrontation on the street, was arrested by police, and feared severe consequences if the man did not regain consciousness. He says the incident later led to a civil lawsuit for roughly $2 million, creating major financial strain as he was starting a family.
Bernthal also describes arriving in Moscow for acting study and witnessing an apparent assault, claiming he intervened and had a gun put to his head. The pair discuss Bernthal’s approach to acting, including isolation and discipline while preparing for roles such as Marvel’s The Punisher, and his view that US training can be “coddling” compared with Russian theatre culture.
On the business side, Bernthal says he made little money during his time on The Walking Dead and tried unsuccessfully to renegotiate before his character was written out, while noting co-star Norman Reedus later benefitted from the show’s long run. The conversation touches on Bernthal’s stunt and weapons training, the production process on films including Fury, and closes with him promoting the thriller Sweet Virginia.
Jon Bernthal said the man involved in the Venice street fight later sued him for around $2 million, which he says he could not afford. He described the lawsuit as landing as he was proposing to his then-girlfriend and starting a family, adding to financial pressure as his career was beginning to break through.
Read this moment →Actor Jon Bernthal told Howard Stern he punched a man during a confrontation outside a party in Venice, Los Angeles, describing the man being knocked unconscious and hitting his head on the pavement. Bernthal says police arrived after the incident and arrested him, and that officers warned him he could face severe consequences if the man did not regain consciousness.
Read this moment →Asked about money and contracts on The Walking Dead, Jon Bernthal said he earned very little during his time on the series, explaining that performers are paid per episode and early orders were limited. He said he tried to renegotiate but was unable to before his character was written out.
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