David Emge dead at 77: Dawn of the Dead actor passes away four decades after his starring role as Flyboy in cult horror
ACTOR David Emge has died at the age of 77 four decades after starring in the cult horror, Dawn of the Dead.
Emge passed away on January 20 at the West River Health Campus in Evansville, Indiana.
His family has issued their thanks to the staff at the Health Campus "for all of their kind and considerate care," Emge's obituary states.
Affectionately called Flyboy by Dawn of the Dead fans, Emge's career is defined by his role in George A. Romero’s movie.
Emge also had roles in Basket Case 2 and Hellmaster, but playing helicopter pilot Stephen 'Flyboy' Andrews will be his legacy.
The actor was born in Evansville and he studied drama at the University of Evansville where he was also drafted into The U.S. Army.
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His first appearance on stage was at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in 1971 and he made his film debut in the comedy movie The Booby Hatch.
Emge was cast as Flyboy in the 1978 cult movie while working as a chef in New York alongside future co-star Scott H Reiniger.
Following his role in the film, the actor returned to the stage to perform live theatre.
The Vietnam veteran is survived by his three sisters Sue Berry, Kathleen Wittgen, and Barbara Rexing as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
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His burial is scheduled on January 24 at St Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
The family has asked for memorial contributions to be made to the Mater Dei High School in Evansville.
Tributes to the late actor have flooded in on the Pierre Funeral Home website.
"R.I.P. Flyboy. My condolences to David's family and friends," one fan wrote.
"Had the pleasure of meeting him in Chicago in 2013 courtesy of Flashback Weekend. Very nice man, and a fine actor. RIP David," another said.
Others called him a "class act" and a "legendary film star" while saying it is "a very sad day for the zombie community."
