Absolutely heartbreaking news as George A. Romero, the godfather of zombie films, has passed away at age 77. According to his manager, Chris Roe: “Legendary filmmaker George A. Romero passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2017, 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.”

Romero “…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.”

The family asks for their privacy to be respected at this time.

Romero is perhaps one of the most recognized names in horror, thanks to his 1968 zombie masterpiece Night of the Living Dead, which will forever shape the horror genre. Films such as Dawn of the Dead, Martin, The Crazies, and Day of the Dead are regarded as masterpieces of the genre.

We cannot express how saddened we are by this news. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends in their time of mourning.

Rest in peace, George. Thank you for all the nightmares you’ve given me. Thank you for making me afraid. Thank you for making me love horror.