Being one of Hollywood’s finest and most recognizable actors,

Jeffrey Dean Morgan has played a few of the most iconic roles,

including Negan on The Walking Dead and his long-running role as

John Winchester on Supernatural. However, the actor acquired his

biggest fanbase and global popularity following his breakout role in Season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy.

Bringing the iconic Denny Duquette to life on Grey’s Anatomy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan turned eyes with his performance. So much so that even after decades, he remains one of the most talked-about characters on the show. Even Morgan claimed to be so enamored with the show and his character that he even begged the producer to extend his contract.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Iconic Denny Duquette in Grey’s Anatomy
Beginning his acting career in 1991, through a feature debut in a low-budget crime thriller, Jeffrey Dean Morgan later commenced with a series of walk-on roles and cameos in a handful of television shows and feature films. However, later on, the actor starred in one episode of Star Trek: Enterprise as Xindi-Reptilian and even had a long-standing role in CW’s Supernatural.

“I’m expendable, that I didn’t have the talent”: The Walking Dead Star Jeffrey Dean Morgan Made His Manager Eat Her Own Words After She Dumped Him for Being Too Old
However, despite having a stable career, Jeffrey Dean Morgan failed to gain popularity in the industry. Frustrated with his never-ending struggles in the profession, the actor nearly quit acting when he bagged the role of Denny Duquette on Grey’s Anatomy season 2. With the second season of the show mainly focused on Katherine Heigl’s Isobel “Izzie” Stevens and Morgan’s Denny, the actor witnessed stunning growth in his popularity, following his role.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Denny appeared as a patient with a severe heart condition in Grey’s Anatomy, which made him go constantly in and out of the hospital and almost bedridden throughout the show. However, despite his ailment, the character was portrayed as a gentlemanly flirt, who didn’t leave out any opportunity to woo Izzie. Eventually, apart from winning over Izzie, Morgan’s character captivated audiences with his charm and vulnerability.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan Begged Producer for Contract Extension
Fans fell head over heels with the Izzie/Denny storyline and showered the actors with praise and popularity. This particular surge in fanbase had a life-changing effect on Jeffrey Dean Morgan. However, his time on the show was approaching its end when Morgan realized that he wanted a bit more of it. That’s when the actor explained on the YouTube show Hot Ones how he approached producer Shonda Rhimes and begged for a contract extension.