George A. Romero 1940 - 2017

George Romero the director of such films as Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Creepshow, Knightriders, and Martin has passed at the age of 77.

Romero directed Night of the living Dead back in 1967 with some friends and colleagues and changed cinematic history.   Shot for about 100K the film would go on to become a classic of modern horror, and would also be inducted into the museum of modern art, and into the Library of Congress’s National film registry. 

Romero would go onto produce and direct many other films such as Martin, Dawn of the Dead, and Knightriders.  It was the film Dawn of the Dead that put zombies back into the media and it is a film that re-invented the zombie genre.  Many current shows and movies have Romero to thank for being the first to re-inventing the zombie genre and making it profitable.  Roger Ebert considered "Dawn of the Dead"one of the best horror movies ever made.

On a personal level George Romero showed that one could work outside the studio system, and so he really was one of the first DIY filmmakers that would go on to be very successful.    His passion for story telling was very well known, and he loved talking to his fans about filmmaking and his movies.  To many of his fans Romero was very approachable and it was that that made him so special.

Talking about the production of his film “The Crazies” or his film “Martin” you understood that Romero's films had so many different sub-text.   Whether an allegory about consumerism (Dawn of the Dead), or a story about loneliness and misunderstanding (Martin) Romero's films work on many levels.   Even towards the end of his life he was still trying to get films made.  He had boundless energy, and loved what he did, and took the time to meet his fans and admirers. 

Romero is survived by his wife, his daughter, his son Andrew Romero as well as his other son Cam Romero from a previous marriage to Christine Romero