Photo courtesy of Ariel Kassulke

For years, fans of The Walking Dead gathered at conventions dedicated to the post-apocalyptic horror drama in several cities around the United States. It was Dallas, Texas in March of 2015 that season five’s newly introduced character, Aaron, made his first convention appearance.

Ross Marquand remembers being so nervous to attend his first convention. He had no idea what to expect, and it seems that his nervousness was palpable as his co-star, Michael Cudlitz, stepped in to offer his guidance.

“He gave me the best advice,” Marquand said. “He said, ‘Take the pressure off yourself by making it about them. Ask them where they’re from. Ask them what they do for a living. Make it about them.’ That helps, and I still [do that] to this day.”

Despite his initial nervousness, he knew he was in a welcoming environment. Not only was his character a fan favorite, but it gave him a chance to fan out over his interests too. Conventions are where fans of all aspects of popular culture can add items to their ever-growing collections, and Marquand is no exception. He said that Star Wars, G.I. Joe, LEGO® and ThunderCats are items he usually searches for, and joked that while he is glad to be a collector he should probably stop as he is now 43 years old. (We told him to never stop collecting. “Never?” he asked. “Never,” we replied.)

He also spent his childhood adoring Star Trek: The Next Generation and watching every episode with his brothers. Getting the chance to meet the actors - Denise Crosby, Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes, to name a few - that were so important to his adolescence were life-changing moments.

He also took Cudlitz’s advice beyond the convention circuit. He has been a Celebrity Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation several times throughout his career and finds it difficult to describe just how special those interactions are.

“When you can see the look of actual pure joy on their face because they’re meeting someone they really like, this is the best day ever,” he said. “It really feels amazing.”

Now, a little over 10 years to the date, Marquand and Cudlitz are sat next to each other at the inaugural Nightmare Weekend Chicago. Their fans might wait in line for a little longer than anticipated, but it is well worth the wait. When it is their turn to step up to the actors, they know that they are getting one-on-one time with people who will offer up genuine conversation. Marquand has had his own one-on-one time with his heroes, and understands the importance of giving someone the best day ever.