Dale Horvath

Dale Horvath
The Walking Dead character
Dale, as portrayed by Jeffrey DeMunn in the television series, and Dale as depicted in the comic series.
First appearance	Comic: "Issue #3" Television: "Days Gone Bye" (episode 1.01)
Last appearance	Comic: "Issue #66" Television: "Judge, Jury, Executioner" (episode 2.11)
Created by	Robert Kirkman Tony Moore Charlie Adlard
Portrayed by	Jeffrey DeMunn
Information
Occupation	Comic: Car salesman
Family	Comic: Ben and Billy (surrogate sons with Andrea)
Spouse(s)	Comic: Erma (deceased) Television: Irma Horvath (deceased)
Significant other(s)	Comic: Andrea

Dale Horvath is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and is portrayed by Jeffrey DeMunn in the American television series of the same name. The character's death in the latter half of the second season of the show marks a significant departure from the comics, where Dale survived much longer. In both media, he is shown to be the group's primary moral center.

Prior to the outbreak, Dale worked as a salesman, and was married for 20 years to a woman named Irma. Following their individual retirements, the two had begun to travel the world together in Dale's newly purchased RV. During the initial stages of the apocalypse, Dale lost her to the zombie outbreak.

Dale is first introduced as one of the survivors located in the camp where Lori and Carl Grimes are staying, on the outskirts of Atlanta, and his RV becomes the camp RV. At first Dale seems pleasant but reveals to Rick that he is suspicious of Shane, and he suspects that something is going on between Lori and Shane, which Rick ignores, under the impression that Dale is just being superstitious. Later, he saves Donna from being bitten by a roamer by beheading the zombie, and revealing that even beheading zombies does not fully kill them. Later one night during dinner, Dale reveals that, during his trip to Atlanta for safety, he had picked up the sisters Andrea and Amy. The discussion is interrupted when zombies attack the camp, which results in Amy's death. Andrea begins grieving for her and Dale provides comfort. After Shane's death, Dale reveals that he knew all along that something was wrong, and that he was one of the few prior to Rick's arrival who wanted to relocate. Shane had refused and Dale only followed because Shane was "the law".

After burying Shane, the survivors set off in Dale's RV away from Atlanta, in an attempt to find somewhere safe. On the way, they run across Tyreese and his family while trying to move a car off the road for the RV to pass. The next night, Lori reveals to the camp that she is pregnant, which alarms Dale, who suspects the child may be Shane's, only to be quieted by Rick who suspects the same, but does not want to think that way at that moment. After this, they once again set off and end up at an estate that appears to be secure and safe, and spend the night. During the night, Donna stumbles upon Dale and Andrea having sex. The survivors remain on the move until Otis accidentally shoots Carl, and they end up on Hershel's farm, under the impression they are able to stay indefinitely. During their stay, Dale attempts to convince Andrea that he has accepted his wife's death and wants to devote his time to her from here on out.