Celebrities and Filmmakers Pay Tribute to Director George Romero, Who Died Aged 77
George A. Romero, the filmmaker behind such classic zombie horror films as Night of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead, died Sunday of lung cancer. He was 77.
A statement from Romero’s manager noted that Romero leaves behind friends, family, and “a filmmaking legacy that has endured, and will continue to endure, the test of time.” That sentiment certainly was apparent as celebrities paid tribute to the artist across social media.
“RIP #GeorgeRomero. You made me want to make movies, and helped me to find meaning in monsters,” Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, who also worked on the screenplay for 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, tweeted. “Thank you. I love you.” On Facebook, he posted a more elaborate tribute, recalling seeing Night of the Living Dead as a child, which Gunn says “not only scared the living hell out of me, and made me forever jump at creepy children, but it was so incredibly DIY I realized movies were not something that belonged solely to the elites with multiple millions of dollars but could also be created by US, the people who simply loved them,” he said in part, citing Dawn of the Dead, The Dark Half, and Martin for their influence on him as well.
RIP #GeorgeRomero. You made me want to make movies, and helped me to find meaning in monsters. Thank you. I love you.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 16, 2017
“Just heard the news about George Romero,” wrote horror producer Eli Roth (Hostel). “Hard to quantify how much he inspired me & what he did for cinema. Condolences to his family.” A few minutes later, he noted, “Romero used genre to confront racism 50 years ago. He always had diverse casts, with Duane Jones as the heroic star of NOTLD. Very few others in cinema were taking such risks. He was both ahead of his time and exactly what cinema needed at that time.”
Just heard the news about George Romero. Hard to quantify how much he inspired me & what he did for cinema. Condolences to his family. ??
— Eli Roth (@eliroth) July 16, 2017
Romero used genre to confront racism 50 years ago. He always had diverse casts, with Duane Jones as the heroic star of NOTLD.
— Eli Roth (@eliroth) July 16, 2017
Very few others in cinema were taking such risks. He was both ahead of his time and exactly what cinema needed at that time.
— Eli Roth (@eliroth) July 16, 2017
“The sad news keeps rolling in,” Greg Nicotero, an executive producer on The Walking Dead, wrote on Instagram. “There are so many things to say about this man, my friend, my mentor and my inspiration. For what he gave us all with passion and fire, his unrelenting spirit will live forever. Blessed that I was honored to present him this award late April in Pittsburgh where IT ALL F–ING STARTED!!!! Never ending love to him and his family.”
“#Legend” and “#HorrorHero,” fellow Walking Dead EP Gale Anne Hurd wrote on Twitter.
A post shared by Greg Nicotero (@gnicotero) on Jul 16, 2017 at 2:51pm PDT
A post shared by Greg Nicotero (@gnicotero) on Jul 16, 2017 at 2:58pm PDT
#RIPGeorgeRomero #Legend and #HorrorHero https://t.co/xOPg7CLFD6
— Gale Anne Hurd (@GunnerGale) July 16, 2017
“No one mined the zombie metaphor like Romero. (After he invented it.) No one has come close,” said Joss Whedon. “RIP & thank you to a Great Film Artist.”
No one mined the zombie metaphor like Romero. (After he invented it.) No one has come close. RIP & thank you to a Great Film Artist. pic.twitter.com/5RqD8Q8GdE
— Joss Whedon (@joss) July 16, 2017
Read more reactions below:
Sad to hear my favorite collaborator--and good old friend--George Romero has died. George, there will never be another like you.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 16, 2017
The world has lost a master. Thank you for the inspiration. You changed my life with your art. You will be missed. #georgeromero #dotd
— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) July 17, 2017
Romero has passed away. Hard to find words right now. The loss is so enormous.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 16, 2017
RIP George Romero. Zombies, yes. But...go watch MARTIN. Teenage isolation mutated into vampirism. Online culture as plague.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 16, 2017
Sucks to think NOW that he’s gone,Romero will be finally hailed as one of the boldest and most daring filmmakers ever.He broke crazy rules.
— Joe Lynch (@TheJoeLynch) July 16, 2017
Romero started it. pic.twitter.com/i4dnxi8EFV
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) July 16, 2017
A post shared by RobZombieofficial (@robzombieofficial) on Jul 16, 2017 at 3:34pm PDT
My first ever movie job: I was an art department intern on DAY OF THE DEAD. I made zombie vomit for Bub.
RIP George Romero, one-of-a-kind pic.twitter.com/18Vz6w5tEt— greg mottola (@gregmottola) July 16, 2017
Love and respect to dir George Romero, without whom the Dead could not walk. #RIPGeorgeRomerohttps://t.co/Q982bvLuAh pic.twitter.com/cPmJ4cmKgx
— Bear McCreary (@bearmccreary) July 16, 2017
George Romero was an icon who created a cinematic universe of loosely affiliated sequels forty years before that was a thing
RIP to a genius— Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) July 16, 2017
Damn...rest in peace, George Romero. Every single zombie show/film owes you their gratitude for paving the way in this genre. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/7Z1jYrhXos
— Rahul Kohli (@RahulKohli13) July 16, 2017
R.I.P. George Romero. A true legend. Started a new genre on his own. Who else can claim that?
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 16, 2017
Rest In Peace, George. Thank you for the inspiration. We wouldn't be here without you. https://t.co/0ArF82c64G
— Z Nation (@znation) July 16, 2017
There'll be lots of talk of zombies, but let's not forget "MARTIN" and "Creepshow". Two of my all time favourites. #GeorgeRomero pic.twitter.com/dt5AidMrMa
— Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) July 16, 2017
Legendary director George A. Romero has passed. Sad news. Those who are not huge horror fans probably don't know... https://t.co/kzsD2BogJ8
— Anthony C. Ferrante (@acferrante) July 16, 2017
Rest In Peace George Romero. A great artist, innovator and creator . He changed everything.
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) July 16, 2017
George Romero, RIP. Eat God's brains.
— Doug Benson (@DougBenson) July 16, 2017
DAWN OF THE DEAD is one of the greatest films in the history of cinema. We were so much richer for having Romero in our lives. pic.twitter.com/P9JKGGQ0uM
— Ted Geoghegan (@tedgeoghegan) July 16, 2017
Bad news is George Romero died. Good news is he probably won't stay dead for long.
— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) July 16, 2017
Thanks for the films George! RT @latimesent: George A. Romero, 'Night of the Living Dead' creator, dies at 77 https://t.co/xeQXhTHHWX
— Dave Navarro (@DaveNavarro) July 16, 2017
A fond farewell to charming, legendary zombie king George Romero. 'Martin' is one of my favourite horrors. An honour to have met him. RIP pic.twitter.com/8ZIwjxFrmx
— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) July 16, 2017
Could someone please call the police? George Romero is eating my leg. RIP George Romero...if he truly is resting.
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) July 16, 2017
RIP George Romero. You were a genius, and I look forward to your inevitable return. https://t.co/8GTVebIMBc
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) July 16, 2017
RIP to one of the all-time greats, George A. Romero. Thanks for all the thrills and chills. pic.twitter.com/oYxeJZWWQb
— The Black List (@theblcklst) July 16, 2017
George Romero is one of the artists who had a profound impact on my life. There was so much more to his work than just zombie movies. RIP.
— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) July 16, 2017
RIP George Romero. Your groundbreaking contributions to the genre are unparrelled. We will miss you and are made better for your brilliance pic.twitter.com/zYPn3GRfXw
— Barbara Crampton (@barbaracrampton) July 16, 2017