David Emge, known for starring in the original Dawn of the Dead, has died. He played helicopter pilot Stephen in the film. Emge died of undisclosed causes at West River Health Campus on January 20.
Emge was a Vietnam War veteran. The actor landed his most notable role while working as a chef in 1968. He starred in George Romero’s sequel to He Night of the Living Dead. Emge also appeared in The fool’s hatch and basket box 2.
For Dawn of the Dead, Emge reflected fondly on his time filming the classic. In a 1979 interview, he talked about filming inside the mall.
“I loved that movie,” Emge said. The Burlington Free Press. “It was filmed outside of Pittsburgh on a nine-week shooting schedule with two weeks off for Christmas. A cold and creepy show… Half of it was filmed inside the shopping center. “We worked from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and we were free to roam around the place.”
Spoilers for a decades-old movie, but Emge also had the opportunity to make his mark on the zombie genre by becoming one of the film’s undead. Emge helped develop the zombie ride that many have copied.
“Being the zombie was something I could just like and hold on to,” Emge recalled in a documentary about the film. “I sat there for weeks and weeks watching all these people invent ‘their’ zombie. And I’m thinking, what am I going to do? I had to come up with something that was distinctive enough, so I thought, well, now, what’s wrong with this guy? They bite his neck, they bite his leg, they shoot him in the arm, so basically the image of the zombie arose from the wounds that he received.”
Fans remember David Emge
Fans have offered great support to Emge and his family. Sharing on his online obituary wall, one fan wrote: “I bow my head to a man who brought great character to a film I have enjoyed since I was 14 years old. Thanks, David. We miss you. “You made me so happy as a child and filled my world with joy every year.”
Another commented: “Rest in peace David. You are loved and will be missed by the countless fans who enjoyed your work in the movies. Good flying Flyboy. My condolences to the family.”
Another commented: “David, thanks for being a great actor playing Stephen ‘Fly Boy’ in the original DOTD. For some reason, as a kid, I always felt comfortable watching that movie. As an adult I appreciate what you all did back then. Your legacy will live on. Our deepest condolences to you and your family from Paul in the UK.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn