‘Walking Dead’ wish is a wow for Ceres teen

Ceres teen Joe Murillo got his wish, and then some, on a four-day trip to Georgia recently to meet actor Norman Reedus, who plays heroic Daryl Dixon on the hit AMC series “The Walking Dead.”

The 19-year-old cancer survivor’s trip with his mother, grandmother and a cousin was provided by Make-A-Wish and included a tour of “Walking Dead” production sites.

Before the trip, Murillo knew he would be meeting Reedus at Dave & Buster’s, a restaurant/game arcade chain for grown-ups, and expressed hope that he would be able to play air hockey with the actor.

“Joe had the time of his life!” his grandmother Tamara Irwin told The Modesto Bee in an email Thursday. “There were a total of seven Make-A-Wish kids and their families, they brought us to a room at Dave & Buster’s where each family had a table and lunch.

“Norman and Greg Nicotero (“Walking Dead” co-executive producer and special effects and makeup designer ) were both there, so that was very exciting! Norman talked to the group from a podium and then sat with each family for a good 20 minutes, chatting, signing autographs, taking pictures.

“Norman then took the kids out to the arcade and played games with each of the kids. Joe played air hockey with Norman and the smile on his face was priceless!”

Reedus stayed two hours beyond the scheduled end of the meet-and-greet, Irwin said. “He was so kind and generous to each of the kids, it was very heartwarming to see a celebrity interact with the kids in such a sweet way.”

Murillo has been in remission for a year from stage 4 lymphoma. Shortly before he turned 18, he was diagnosed; doctors found tumors on his spine, a kidney, lungs and brain. During his chemotherapy, Reedus’ character was an inspiration to Murillo. “He’s a fighter who refuses to give up,” the teen says of Daryl Dixon.

After the meeting with Reedus, Murillo and his family went on a “Walking Dead” bus tour and saw many shooting sites from the show, including Terminus, the hospital where hero Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) woke up and the Jefferson Street bridge where the survivors entered Atlanta.

“The following day, we went to the city of Senoia, where they filmed the Woodbury scenes,” Irwin said. “It was very cool to see the town and recognize many landmarks. From beginning to end, it was a very special trip.”

This story was originally published June 18, 2015 at 5:30 PM with the headline "‘Walking Dead’ wish is a wow for Ceres teen."