George Kosana
Born(1935-12-22)December 22, 1935
Clairton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2016(2016-12-30) (aged 81)
Clairton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupations
  • Cinematographer
  • actor
  • investor
Years active1968–2016

George Kosana (December 22, 1935 – December 30, 2016) was an American actor, best known for his role of Sheriff McClelland in George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead.[1] Kosana had been a member of Image Ten films, whereupon he worked on the crew and was one of the original ten investors in the 1968 classic. Kosana worked on other Image Ten films to include 'The Booby Hatch' and 'There's Always Vanilla', and had often made appearances at horror conventions. Concomitant with his film roles, Kosana worked in a steel mill in Clairton, Pennsylvania, an occupation which led to numerous heath issues.[1] His last film, My Uncle John is a Zombie, wrapped shortly before his death.[2] In this final film as well as Living Dead, Kosana reprised and lampooned his role as Sheriff McClelland in Night.[1]

Death

Kosana was found dead on December 30, 2016, at his home in Clairton, Pennsylvania.[1] His death followed years of battling various illnesses,[3][4] including emphysema/COPD and macular degeneration.[5]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1968 Night of the Living Dead Sheriff McClelland
1971 There's Always Vanilla Abortionist Thug #2
1976 The Booby Hatch Police Chief
2009 Incest Death Squad[5] George
2012 Living Dead[5] Sheriff McClelland (archive footage)
2012 Celluloid Bloodbath: More Prevues from Hell Himself
2014 Psychotic State Himself
2017 My Uncle John is a Zombie! Sheriff McClelland (final film role)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Whack, Errin Haines (3 January 2017). "George Kosana, sheriff in 'Night of the Living Dead,' dies". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-01-03 – via Xfinity.com.
  2. ^ Peters, Megan (2 January 2017). "Night Of The Living Dead's George Kosana Has Died". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  3. ^ Thorne, Will (3 January 2017). "'Night of the Living Dead' Actor George Kosana Dies at 81". Variety. Retrieved 2017-01-04.
  4. ^ Barnes, Mike (3 January 2017). "George Kosana, 'Night of the Living Dead' Actor (and Investor), Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-01-04.
  5. ^ a b c Squires, John (2 January 2017). "R.I.P. 'Night of the Living Dead' Star George Kosana Has Passed Away". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2017-01-04.

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