Jason Cone, a proud Statesboro resident, had a dream come true when he was selected for a background/extra role in the film "GearHeads," an exciting step for a man who was just a fan behind the big screen. Cone is still continuing his role as a background character in many other films that are soon to be released.
Jason Cone and his wife are avid fans of "The Walking Dead," a zombie series largely filmed in the Atlanta/Senoia area. They've gone on numerous trips to explore the show's filming locations, having visited over 70 different sites. Notably, Jason has amassed an impressive collection of "Walking Dead" comics and autographs.
Around two years ago, Jason faced personal challenges that led him to rely on food and alcohol for solace, resulting in reaching a peak weight of 320 pounds. He also grappled with health issues, including type 2 diabetes.
In the spring of 2022, his life took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon an article about a spinoff of "The Walking Dead" called "Fear the Walking Dead," which was relocating its production to Savannah for its final season. While he hadn't previously considered background acting, a local news station's call for extras on Facebook caught his eye. Jason viewed this as an opportunity to be part of one of his favorite TV series, motivating him to make significant lifestyle changes, including losing 40 pounds over three months.
In November 2022, a role for "GearHeads" emerged, and Jason applied immediately, confident that his mechanical skills made him a suitable fit. To his delight, on November 14th, he received a booking offer for a GearHead role in an upcoming episode in season 8 of "Fear the Walking Dead" on AMC, called "Iron Tiger." This opportunity allowed him to spend six full days on set, working closely with four main cast members, five other Gearheads, and portraying zombies, known as Walkers on the show.
One of Jason's most cherished memories during filming was on his first day, where he found himself just an arm's length away from the lead actress in a gripping scene. He was part of the action as they held her at gunpoint to de-escalate a tense situation. The experience was nothing short of amazing.
The cast and crew welcomed him warmly, and he thoroughly enjoyed his time on the show. Since then, he's continued his weight loss journey, shedding almost 80 pounds and participating in five other unreleased projects as a background extra.