Unearthing The Undead 41 - BILL MESSENGER

Bill Messenger was a posse member in "Night of the Living Dead".  Hecan only be seen in the wide shot of the posse crossing the field towards the farmhouse.  His brother, John Messenger, played the coroner.  Bill mentioned bringing his familys British Springfield 303 rifle that day.

Bil says "I was born in Pittsburgh in 1951. I was 16 or 17 when the movie was filmed, and my brother had sold insurance to one of the main people who were making a film. They needed folks to walk through fields in Butler County to hunt for the undead. It was a very hot August day, and my hayfever was acting up. I was wandering around in a Benadryl induced haze. At one point, they gave us empty Styrofoam cups and we were to look like we were drinking coffee in the background. We were all dying of thirst at that time, but there was no water anywhere to be found. Later in the afternoon after everything is settled down, they brought out what I guess were several kegs of beer and surrounded by city of Pittsburgh police I got drunk for the first time in my life at 16 or 17. The beer did taste very good after being so incredibly thirsty.

I worked as an intensive care nurse for many years and currently live with my wife Peggy in Florida for 33 years. She is my rock. I retired and I'm 74 years old."

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Researched and compiled by John Vullo

Text and photos  © Image Ten, Inc.

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If you know of any family, friends or acquaintances that appeared as extras in the original Night of the Living Dead, please contact John Vullo at jmv3683@gmail.com

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