George A. Romero, American director and producer (d. 2017)
George Andrew Romero (; February 4, 1940 – July 16, 2017) was an American filmmaker, writer, and editor. His Night of the Living Dead series of films about zombie apocalypse began with the 1968 film of the same name, and is often considered a major contributor to the image of the zombie in modern culture. Other films in the series include Dawn of the Dead (1978) and Day of the Dead (1985). Aside from this series, his works include The Crazies (1973), Martin (1978), Knightriders (1981), Creepshow (1982), Monkey Shines (1988), The Dark Half (1993), and Bruiser (2000). He also created and executive-produced the television series Tales from the Darkside, from 1983 to 1988.

Romero is often described as an influential pioneer of the horror film genre and has been called the "Father of the Zombie Film" and an "icon".