Horror filmmaker George A. Romero, considered by many to be the father of the zombie-film genre, has died.
Romero's family confirmed his passing Sunday via a statement by his manager, Chris Roe. The statement said Romero died in his sleep with his family at his bedside, following a battle with lung cancer. He was 77.
Romero had lived in Toronto for years, though the statement did not immediately confirm that he was living there at the time of his death.
The Bronx, New York native was best known for his 1968 cult classic Night of the Living Dead, along with its successors Dawn of the Dead (1978) and Day of the Dead (1985).
Romero grew up in New York City and attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. After graduating, he worked on commercials and short films. One of his first segments was Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in which Mr. Rogers had his tonsils removed.
Night of the Living Dead kicked off a career in which Romero wrote, produced and directed films dealing with horror and vampires. The Crazies and Martin were his two best-known films before he returned to zombies with Dawn of the Dead.
Other films directed by Romero included Creepshow, Monkey Shines and Two Evil Eyes. His last film as a director and writer was 2009's Survival of the Dead.
