Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, 17, may be new to the acting world, but he’s already made a big impression. He debuted as Laurent in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023-Present), stepping right into the heart of a post-apocalyptic France where his character represents humanity’s last hope. Despite his young age, he’s become a central figure in the storyline, holding his own alongside seasoned stars.
He’s managed by AS TALENTS, a respected French agency known for guiding rising actors. But acting isn’t the only thing keeping him busy. Louis has a wide range of hobbies—he plays guitar, sings, and stays active with sports like Capoeira, skiing, tennis, and climbing. Whether on set or off, he’s constantly moving and learning.
His Parents Introduced Him to The Walking Dead
Before landing the role, Louis wasn’t even familiar with the iconic zombie series. It was actually his father, Ian Scigliuzzi, who first brought up the show during a casual chat with his mother.
Growing up in a multicultural household has also shaped him in unique ways. His mother is French, and his father has English and Italian roots, giving Louis a rich blend of cultures. Though he’s officially French, he feels deeply connected to his English side as well.
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His father, a photographer, has played an important role beyond just introducing him to the show. Ian helped fine-tune Louis’s English through informal lessons, which became a huge advantage when he stepped into his role on The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Despite His Success, He’s Not Leaving His Studies Behind
Even with his growing fame, school remains a big part of his life. Because of his age, strict regulations on set limit him to six hours of filming per day to ensure a balance between acting and education.
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Each day follows a carefully planned routine—rehearsals and filming during the day, followed by academic lessons in the evening. He even has a coach on set who helps with both his studies and acting. “I have a coach who is also a little assistant, she takes care of me all the time, she also helps me for my rehearsals and my pronunciation,” Louis shared in an interview.
And it doesn’t stop there. Since much of the show is in English, he also receives special coaching to fine-tune his American accent, adding another layer to his growing skill set.
He Was Handpicked For The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
Louis’s path to landing the role wasn’t the typical casting story. It all started with a bit of luck—his best friend’s aunt happened to know the casting director and helped get him an audition.
But once the audition came, it took an unexpected turn. Instead of reading from a script, Louis was put into an improvisation session with Norman Reedus, the show’s star. That first meeting instantly revealed the natural chemistry between them.
“I remember that there was already a strong bond between the two of us from the first time we saw each other,” Louis recalled.
Norman Reedus felt the same. What stood out to him was Louis’s quiet, observant nature, so different from many kids who audition. Reedus shared,
I immediately noticed him during the castings; for me, it was obvious that he had to have the role. He is not an expressive kid who will arrive and put on a show. He is quiet, and he observes a lot. It was funny working with him because he would look at me a lot at the beginning, as he had never filmed before, he imitated me a lot.
This instant connection went beyond acting ability. It was about finding someone who could bring a real, believable bond to the screen. Louis’s casting may have started with a lucky break, but it was his natural fit for the role that sealed the deal.
