Norman Reedus got one of the multiple covers for GQ’s October issue, The Age Issue (NBA star Blake Griffin got a cover too, and I think Clive Owen and Tom Selleck’s covers will be released this week). From what I know of Reedus, I like him, although I’m not watching The Walking Dead. I’m just not really into zombies and that kind of sci-fi/horror, but to each his own. It’s pleasantly surprising to see Reedus on the cover of a major men’s magazine. Reedus came to play though, giving one of the most entertaining and quotable interviews I’ve read in a while. You can read the full piece here and here are some highlights:

On The Walking Dead: “I really matured a lot in my mind and became a happier person in this job, because I really like this job, and I like the people I work with, and I like the environment I work in. And you know, the cuts on my forehead, and the bruises, and the black eyes, it doesn’t matter; it’s awesome. I think that mentality has matured me a lot in the past couple years, you know? I care more about what I’m doing, too.”

On being offered a role in the 2001 movie Heartbreakers with Jennifer Love Hewitt: “When that came around at the time, my agents at the time were, ‘They like you for this part, and it’s a Jennifer Love Hewitt movie.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, what do I do?’ And they’re, “You’re her boyfriend,” And I go, “Well, do I rape her? Do I kill her? What do I do?” And they go, “You’re her sweet boyfriend.” And I was like, “No! Absolutely not!” But yeah, I just assumed I had to rape and kill her.

On why he is drawn to dark movies: “Even with photography and artwork, I’ve really liked having grotesque things and finding beauty in them. I’ve always been a fan of horror films, and I like aggressive music, and I like aggressive people—they all kind of were interesting to me. I mean, I really don’t see myself ever being, or wanting to be, in some sort of light romantic comedy about nothing.

On modeling in his early acting years: “I mean, I’m short and fat and drink beer. F–king hated it.

On dating models: “I’ve been with several. Not any to the extent that… Helena [Christensen] and I were pretty serious.

On having a child with Christiansen: “Pretty f–king serious.”

On rooting for the bad guy: “I mean, even today, if I watch Spider-man or something, I root for the bad guy. I like the Joker better than I like Batman, you know what I mean? I’m still like that.

Social awkwardness: “Well, you know, if you feel socially awkward, there’s reasons why you feel socially awkward. Maybe you feel socially awkward on the outside because inside you don’t feel like you fit in. And I like feeling like I don’t fit in, and I’ve always liked feeling like I don’t fit in, and I’m perfectly cool with it. When someone would fake it to fit in on the outside, it really rubbed me the wrong way, you know? I’m more of a Francis Bacon guy and less of a Banksy guy, you know what I’m saying? I prefer it, and I like people like that. I always liked shy and sort of interesting people, rather than pretty people trying to please everybody—I always dislike them right off the bat.

[From GQ]

The Jennifer Love Hewitt story is amazing. I remember Heartbreakers! It’s a funnier movie than it should have been and it has some surprisingly deft comedic acting by Ray Liotta (playing against type) and Sigourney Weaver (also playing against type). Norman Reedus would have been interesting in that kind of film, but he’s right – his presence would have probably made everything uncomfortable. When he comes on screen, you just know that somebody is going to die some horrible death.

Cover courtesy of Sebastian Kim/GQ, additional photos by WENN.