David Emge cause of death: What happened to David Emge? – David Emge, the actor who played Stephen, the helicopter pilot turned zombie in George Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead,” passed away on January 20, 2024, at the West River Health Campus in Evansville, Indiana. He was 77 years old. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
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Born on September 9, 1946, in Evansville, Indiana, Emge studied drama at the University of Evansville and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
He served for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Emge began his acting career on stage at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in 1971 and made his film debut in the lowbrow comedy “The Booby Hatch” in 1975.
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Emge’s breakthrough came with his iconic role as Stephen in George Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead.” Released in 1978, the film is revered as a classic in the zombie genre. Emge’s portrayal of the meek helicopter pilot added a human touch to the horror, earning him a permanent place in the hearts of fans.
He also appeared in the films “The Liberation of Cherry Janowski” and “The Devil and Sam Silverstein” in 1978.
Despite the success of “Dawn of the Dead,” Emge’s filmography remained relatively modest. He starred in only two more movies after his horror debut: “Basket Case 2” and “Photos.”


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