The Ghoul is Cooper Howard, a pre-war Hollywood movie star who survived the nuclear apocalypse and became a ghoul—a radiation-mutated human with extended lifespan and rotting flesh. Played by Walton Goggins, he's been alive for over 200 years, transforming from an optimistic American icon into a cynical, brutal bounty hunter.
His story is the emotional core of the Fallout TV series.
Cooper Howard: Before the Bombs
The Hollywood Star: Before 2077, Cooper Howard was America's cowboy. His films celebrated American values. The Vault Boy mascot was based on his movie persona.
- Married to Barb Howard, a Vault-Tec executive
- Had a daughter, Janey
- Lived a comfortable Hollywood life
The Betrayal: Cooper discovered Vault-Tec's true plans—the experiments, the control, the apocalypse they were engineering. Worse, his wife was part of it.
The Last Day: When the bombs fell, Cooper was at a birthday party with Janey. His last pre-war moment was trying to protect his daughter as mushroom clouds rose over Los Angeles.
Becoming a Ghoul
- Rotting, decayed flesh
- Extended (potentially immortal) lifespan
- Radiation resistance
- Risk of eventually going "feral" (losing their mind)
Cooper's Transformation: Survived the initial blasts but was irradiated. Over time, his flesh decayed while his body adapted.
The Psychological Cost: Watching everyone he knew die. Seeing the world become wasteland. Losing his idealism piece by piece over two centuries.
The Ghoul in 2296
Bounty Hunter: The Ghoul now works as a mercenary, capturing or killing targets for caps (currency) and medicine.
The Vials: He needs regular doses of anti-radiation medication to prevent going feral. This dependency keeps him working.
His Search: For over a century, The Ghoul has been hunting for answers about his wife and daughter. Hank MacLean—Lucy's father—may have those answers.
Moral Complexity: He's capable of terrible violence but retains fragments of his old self. His treatment of Lucy reveals inner conflict.
Walton Goggins' Performance
Goggins plays two distinct characters:
As Cooper: Charming, principled, loving. The flashbacks show a man who believed in American ideals.
As The Ghoul: Sardonic, brutal, weary. Two centuries of disappointment in every word.
The Physical Challenge: Hours of daily makeup. Acting through prosthetics. Conveying emotion with limited facial mobility.
Critical Response: Universally praised as the show's standout. Goggins makes The Ghoul tragic, funny, and terrifying—often simultaneously.
What The Ghoul Represents
Lost America: Cooper literally embodied American optimism. His decay mirrors the nation's fall.
The Long Consequence: He's living proof that Vault-Tec's betrayal echoes through centuries.
Survival's Price: What does it cost to live 200 years in hell? The Ghoul is the answer.
The Search for Meaning: Even after two centuries, he's still looking for answers. Still hunting. Still human enough to want the truth.
The Ghoul is Fallout's heart—proof that even in the wasteland, people keep going.