Ella Mae Smith

Photo © Image Ten, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Ella Mae was a Resident of ash Stop Road in Evans City, The Farmhouse location was right behind her home, She and her husband Philip Smith were sat on the front lawn one day when a car pulled up. A woman asked them both"Hey, do you guys want to be in a movie?" Philip replied "NO!" but Ella Mae decided she wanted to do it, so she persuaded her husband to check it out. Both ended up being Ghouls in the Movie.

Ella Mae and Philip Smith as Night of the Living Dead Ghouls

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Ella Mae Smith has been the beloved local ambassador to Night of the Living Dead, always making time to meet with visiting fans and escort them around her property and the adjacent filming location where the farmhouse originally stood.

Ella Mae's role as a Ghoul in the movie led to her being a popular guest at the Living Dead Festival and Living Dead Weekend events, where she became friends with many of the fans that attended. Ella Mae was more than a part of the film—she became a beloved part of its legacy, and a dear friend to many.

Sadly, Ella Mae passed away on May 21, 2025

Ella Mae Smith, who played one of the zombies in "Night of the Living Dead" (1968); poses for a photo with Michael J. Tomaso at The Living Dead Fest in Evans City, PA in October, 2014.

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Researched and compiled by Daz Sargeant

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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Cast and crew

Ella Mae Smith