The entertainment industry lost not one, but two influential icons over the weekend with the passings of Night of the Living Dead creator George A. Romero and Oscar winner Martin Landau.
Both entertainers touched the world in different capacities and through different genres. Following the news of their deaths, celebrities shared their love and appreciation for their timeless work.
George A. Romero: 1940-2017
Romero died in his sleep following a battle with lung cancer, according to a statement from his manager, Chris Roe. He was 77.
“Legendary filmmaker George A. Romero passed away on Sunday July 16, listening to the score of ‘The Quiet Man,’ one of his all-time favorite films, with his wife, Suzanne Desrocher Romero, and daughter, Tina Romero at his side,” the statement read.
“He died peacefully in his sleep, following a brief but aggressive battle with lung cancer, and leaves behind a loving family, many friends, and a filmmaking legacy that has endured, and will continue to endure, the test of time.”
Much of the success of TV series such as The Walking Dead and movies like Shaun of the Dead are due in large part to Romero.
His 1968 black and white zombie cult classic, Night of the Living Dead, made $30 million. Not bad, considering it was shot in Pittsburgh on a budget of $114,000.
A decade later Romero returned to zombie fare with Dawn of the Dead, which made $55 million. He followed it with Day of the Dead in 1985 then resurrected the franchise with three more films in the late 2000s.
His impact on the horror genre reached countless people throughout his six decades of work including author and friend Stephen King who tweeted: “there will never be another like you.”
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
Fellow directors sending love included Guardians of the Galaxy‘s James Gunn (who also wrote a lengthy appreciation on Facebook), Guillermo del Toro, Rob Zombie, Shaun of the Dead’‘s Edgar Wright, as well as Get Out helmer Jordan Peele and Eli Roth who both praised Romero’s groundbreaking casting of a black hero in Night of the Living Dead.
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
You can trace a direct line from NOTLD to Get Out. And…Romero created the modern zombie. The infectious bite. Shoot the head. Everything.
— Eli Roth (@eliroth) July 16, 2017
Romero started it. pic.twitter.com/i4dnxi8EFV
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) July 16, 2017
Myself & Simon Pegg would not have the same career in film without Romero. My thoughts on the man & his influence: https://t.co/eSaKaRndDC pic.twitter.com/smDWsxtqut
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) July 17, 2017
I can’t believe George Romero has died. All the zombies owe him everything! He was the master.… https://t.co/e3m1JufEle
— Rob Zombie (@RobZombie) July 16, 2017
Romero has passed away. Hard to find words right now. The loss is so enormous.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 16, 2017
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
Martin Landau: 1928-2017
Landau, 89, passed away on Saturday, July 15 at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles following “unexpected complications during a short hospitalization,” according to his publicist Dick Guttman.
“We are overcome with sadness,” added Guttman.
Arguably one of the busiest actors in Hollywood history, Landau’s career began in 1953 and continued right up until his death where he was involved with two projects currently pre-production.
In the 1960s he was part of the spy team on the TV series Mission: Impossible. His role as master of disguise Rollin Hand earned him a Golden Globe for lead actor in 1968.
Two decades later he earned his first two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor for Francis Ford Coppola’s Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) and Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989).
But it was his portrayal of aging horror star Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood that finally earned him actings top prize as he took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 1995 Oscars. His co-star in that film, Patricia Arquette, remembered him on Sunday calling him a “talented, sweet generous actor.”
Working with Martin Landau on Ed Wood was a joy. What a talented, sweet generous actor. #RealDeal https://t.co/lXVGeTo6xd
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) July 17, 2017
Arquette wasn’t the only celebrity paying homage as stars such as Alec Baldwin, Avengers director Joss Whedon, Stranger Things actor David Harbour, Marlee Matlin, William Shatner and more celebrated his life and catalog of work which also included a memorable turn as a movie producer on the HBO series Entourage.
Had the honor of working w/ Martin Landau on Entourage years ago. Hes the definition of what a great actor is. Hes Given masterpieces 2 us.
— Jerry Ferrara (@jerryferrara) July 17, 2017
I grew up watching and admiring MARTIN LANDAU.
On my way to London to shoot MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, oddly enough.— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) July 17, 2017
Rest In Peace MARTIN LANDAU.
So great in CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, ED WOOD.
Great in everything.— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) July 17, 2017
Crimes & Misdemeanors – these two as brothers, perfect. And the single take scene w/Angelica Huston in her apartment… RIP Martin Landau pic.twitter.com/qBhinnaHuq
— Joss Whedon (@joss) July 17, 2017
The great Martin Landau has died. Long time member of the actor’s studio and brilliant craftsman in our tradition. I will miss his work.
— David Harbour (@DavidKHarbour) July 17, 2017
So sad to read about the passing of Martin Landau. A great talent with a kind heart; always so warm to me. I will miss you. RIP.
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) July 17, 2017
RIP Martin Landau. “Crimes & Misdemeanors” 1 of my all time fav performances. Such versatility in his vast work. A simply wonderful actor.
— Ralph Macchio (@ralphmacchio) July 17, 2017
Condolences to the family of Martin Landau.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 17, 2017
Ironically it appears that both Landau and Romero briefly worked together as comedian Patton Oswalt pointed out on Twitter. Romero worked as a page boy on Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, which starred Landau.
Romero and Landau join the list of celebrities to pass away in 2017 which includes Mary Tyler Moore, Bill Paxton, Chuck Berry, Don Rickles, and Adam West.
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