Bill Hinzman, First Zombie in "Night of the Living Dead," Dies at 76 (Bits and Bites Extra)

Bill Hizman essentially played "zombie alpha," the first zombie to appear in George A. Romero's classic film, Night of the Living Dead (as seen in the above still image from the film).

Bill Hinzman has died of cancer at age 76. He played the gaunt-faced, lumbering zombie that is sometimes referred to as the "Cemetery Zombie."  This is the zombie that brother and sister, Johnny and Barbra, see in the film's opening graveyard scene.  Hinzman's zombie attacks and kills Johnny after the young man taunts his (too easily) frightened sister with the warning, “They’re coming to get you, Barbra.”

Born S. William Hinzman in 1936, the actor also appeared in other Romero films and directed two movies of his own (FleshEaters and The Majorettes).

R.I.P. Mr. Hinzman.