
Damon Herriman: Roles, Charles Manson, Justified & Career
There are actors who slip into a role so naturally you forget they’re performing, and Damon Herriman is one of them. This Australian character actor has carved out a unique niche by portraying the same notorious figure — Charles Manson — in two major productions released in the same year, while also becoming a cult favorite for his work in neo-Western television. Here’s a fact-grounded look at his career, his most famous roles, and the lingering questions fans still ask.
Born: 31 March 1970 ·
Birthplace: Adelaide, South Australia ·
Known for: Dewey Crowe in Justified ·
Role in Breaking Bad: No ·
Role as Charles Manson: Yes, multiple productions
Quick snapshot
- Born in Adelaide, South Australia (IMDb (credits database))
- Played Charles Manson twice (Wikipedia (encyclopedia entry))
- Portrayed Dewey Crowe on Justified (Justified Wiki (fan reference))
- Exact net worth figures vary across sources
- Presence of spouse in public life is not well documented
- Career began early, around age 8-15 (Rotten Tomatoes (film aggregator))
- 2019: dual Charles Manson portrayals (TV Guide (entertainment news))
- 2024: Role in Better Man, Robbie Williams biopic (IMDb (credits database))
Here are the confirmed details about Herriman’s background and career.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Damon Herriman |
| Birth Date | 31 March 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Profession | Actor, Writer (IMDb (credits database)) |
| Years Active | 1990 – present (Rotten Tomatoes (film aggregator)) |
| Notable TV Role | Dewey Crowe, Justified |
| Charles Manson Portrayals | 2 (Mindhunter + Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) |
| Recent Film (2024) | Better Man |
Was Damon Herriman in Breaking Bad?
No. Damon Herriman did not appear in Breaking Bad. This is one of the most persistent pieces of misinformation surrounding his career. A thorough review of the IMDb (credits database) cast list shows zero episodes credited to Herriman for the AMC series.
Why is there confusion about his Breaking Bad involvement?
The confusion likely stems from a case of mistaken actor identity. Herriman shares a similar look and vocal cadence with several character actors who did appear on the show. Additionally, the line between Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul — where Herriman also did not appear — blurs for casual viewers. The Wikipedia (encyclopedia entry) for Herriman contains no mention of either series in his filmography.
The pattern: Herriman’s name gets attached to a hit show he never worked on because his face is familiar from another cult series, Justified. What this means: if you’re looking for Herriman, check the cast list of Breaking Bad‘s rival neo-Westerns, not its Albuquerque underworld.
Is Damon Herriman playing Charles Manson?
Yes — and remarkably, he played the cult leader twice in the same year. Herriman portrayed Charles Manson in both Netflix’s Mindhunter season 2 (TV Guide, entertainm…