10 Things Didn't Know About Night Of The Living Dead
7. The Vietnam War Prevented Tom Savini from doing the Make-Up
The legendary Tom Savini served as a war photographer for the US Army in Vietnam, and his deployment meant he missed the opportunity to work as a make-up artist on Night of the Living Dead, a position he had already been chosen for. The gruesome effects that Savini would become famous for can be partly credited to his time in Vietnam, as he said in an Interview with The Independent in 2020, “I guess Vietnam was a real lesson in anatomy”. He also goes on to the say that he is the only special-effects guy that has seen the real thing, and that is why his work is often visceral and realistic.
He would go on to work with Romero on a number of occasions throughout his career. His collaborations with Romero included providing make-up and special effects on Martin, Dawn of the Dead (in which he also had an on-screen role), Creepshow 2 and Two Evil Eyes. Savini also directed the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead.
He may have missed his chance to work on the 1968 classic, but his career following his return surely more than made up for it.