Unearthing The Undead 40 - JOE COSTELLO

Joe Costello was a part of Sherrif McClelland's posse in "Night of the Living Dead".  He can be seen often at the end of the film with that posse, although he is not in the final scene of the film in the farmhouse.  In the dailies released on the Criterion release, he's seen entering the Willard Health Dept. Vehicle along with Al Croft before the posse reach the house.

Joe was born and raised in Clairton where he grew up with George Kosana.  They had both owned a boat together and would go fishing often, leading to George to ask Joe to be a part of the film.  He also worked as a plumber. In another connection to the film, Joe's brother Dan had married John Russo's sister.

Joe had told a story that he drove himself to Evans City, with his shotgun and George's holstered pistol in the back seat.  What he didn't know was that the pistol was loaded with live rounds!  He did not attend the premiere and first saw the movie on TV.

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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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