George A. Romero, Father of Zombie Movies, Dies at Age 77

George A. Romero, the legendary horror movie director and father of the modern-day zombie movie, has died at 77, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The success of Night of the Living Dead, which critics trashed but moviegoers packed into drive-ins and theaters to see in 1968, went on to spawn not only a franchise, but an entire subgenre of horror whose influence has endured for decades.

George Romero, director of “Land of The Dead” during CineVegas Film Festival 2005 – “Land of The Dead” World Premiere – Red Carpet at Brenden Theatres in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (J.Sciulli/WireImage)

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The L.A. Times notes that the Living Dead led to an entire school of zombie knockoffs, including Romero’s own sequels, including 1978’s Dawn of the Dead, 1985’s Day of the Dead, 2005’s Land of the Dead, 2007’s Diary of the Dead and 2009’s George A. Romero’s Survival of the Dead.

A line of undead ‘zombies’ walk through a field in the night in a still from the film, ‘Night Of The Living Dead,’ directed by George Romero, 1968. (Pictorial Parade/Getty Images)

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Romero’s influence can be seen in movies in television that range from The Purge to 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead.

He died surrounded by his family, according to a statement, and while listening to the score of one his favorite films, 1952’s The Quiet Man.