Walton Goggins, the veteran actor celebrated for his quirky roles in series like Fallout and The White Lotus, is having a year that’s hard to ignore. With his profile soaring after standout performances, Goggins now finds himself at the center of a conversation about the double-edged sword of fame—one that’s as old as Hollywood itself. The spark? A prediction from comedian Pete Davidson that Goggins’ wave of adulation may soon crest, followed by a tide of public backlash.
The story began on September 23, 2025, when Pete Davidson joined Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast. The conversation turned to the unpredictable nature of celebrity, with Davidson referencing Pedro Pascal’s meteoric rise and the inevitable criticism that followed. “He’s worked so hard and has been a struggling actor. Fucking blows up so fucking hard,” Davidson said, as reported by Variety. “Everyone’s like, ‘Daddy, daddy! Yeah, daddy, daddy.’ Then a year later, he’s in everything now because he’s hot and big and everyone’s like, ‘Go the fuck away, dude.’”
Davidson, no stranger to the fickleness of public opinion himself, didn’t mince words when he suggested Goggins could be next in line for a similar turn of the tide. “It’s like, we build everybody up and now it’s so fast to turn,” Davidson noted, adding, “It’s within months.” According to TV Insider, Davidson’s warning was not meant as a slight but rather as a candid observation about the fleeting shelf life of adoration in the entertainment world.
For Goggins, who has spent decades in the industry, Davidson’s remarks landed with a mix of humility and humor. On September 28, 2025, Goggins took to Instagram to respond publicly, attaching an image of a news headline about Davidson’s prediction. “Pete we don’t know each other but I appreciate the heads up,” Goggins wrote, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. He continued, “We agree on one thing… Pedro Pascal isn’t a good man, He’s a great man. A dear friend of mine.”
Rather than bristle at the idea of a looming backlash, Goggins leaned in—gratefully. “As a 53-year-old, I’m acutely aware that every experience has a shelf life,” he admitted. “See to me, being included in this headline isn’t a curse it’s a blessing. How lucky am I that this is even a possibility?!!” he marveled, reflecting on his journey from humble beginnings in Georgia to the heights of Hollywood. “If this headline is a possibility or an inevitability…if this is my fate…. Well…. Fuck it. I’m going to enjoy the FUCK OUT OF IT.”
This candid, almost defiant embrace of fame’s impermanence is classic Goggins, who has long been known for his grounded perspective. He encouraged fans not to “click on” stories with his name in the headline if they weren’t interested, but expressed appreciation for the support he’s received. “I’ve had the good fortune of engaging in so many interesting conversations with so many of you…of collaborating with so many top-shelf people across so many disciplines over the last couple of years. Way more than a poor kid from GA would ever have the audacity to imagine,” he wrote, as highlighted by Billboard.
Goggins’ Instagram post also touched on the privilege of being in a position where public scrutiny is even possible. “So ... if saying yes in life more than saying no is a crime, then I’m guilty as charged,” he joked. The actor’s willingness to accept both the praise and the potential pitfalls of his newfound fame has resonated with fans and industry peers alike.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Goggins has found himself navigating the choppy waters of public attention. Earlier in 2025, he was swept up in rumors of a falling out with White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood after fans noticed the two were no longer following each other on Instagram. Goggins was quick to address the speculation, telling Variety that whether or not the two followed each other on social media was “irrelevant.” He went further, stating, “I love this woman madly,” and later ended an interview when pressed about the supposed feud. The incident, while minor in the grand scheme, served as a reminder of just how quickly narratives can spiral in the age of social media.
Davidson’s prediction, meanwhile, is rooted in a broader trend that has become increasingly pronounced in recent years. The cycle of building up celebrities only to tear them down is nothing new, but the pace has accelerated dramatically with the rise of digital platforms. Pedro Pascal’s experience is a textbook example: after years of steady work, he became a household name almost overnight thanks to roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. Yet, as Davidson observed, the same fans who once clamored for more quickly grew weary as Pascal’s ubiquity increased.
Goggins’ approach—frank, grateful, and a bit irreverent—offers a counterpoint to the anxiety that often accompanies sudden fame. As he prepares to promote new projects and continues to ride the crest of his current popularity, he seems determined to savor every moment, come what may. “I’m going to enjoy the FUCK OUT OF IT,” he declared, a mantra that feels both defiant and celebratory.
His attitude has struck a chord with many, especially those who recognize the precariousness of success in Hollywood. The entertainment industry is littered with cautionary tales of stars who soared too high, too fast, only to come crashing down. But for Goggins, the journey itself—complete with its ups and downs—is what matters most. “I see my career as a stock I want to own: There have been dips, but it’s gradually gone up over time,” he told The Times last year, a sentiment that now feels more prescient than ever.
As for Davidson, his comments serve as both a warning and a kind of backhanded compliment. To be in a position where a backlash is even possible means you’ve made it—a fact Goggins seems to appreciate deeply. Whether or not the predicted turn of public opinion comes to pass, one thing is clear: Walton Goggins plans to meet it head-on, with humor, humility, and a healthy dose of gratitude.
For now, the actor is content to enjoy his time in the spotlight, fully aware that fame can be fleeting, but the experiences—and the connections—are what truly last.
