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The bike gang in the third act of the film was primarily made up of a real gang, the Pagans. Savini notes his character wasn't written in the script but was a character he and George came up with on set. All of his character's dialogue is improvised.
Tom Savini chose the gray color for the zombies' skin, since La Nuit des morts-vivants (1968) was in B&W and the zombie skin-tone was not depicted. He later said it was a mistake, because many of them ended up looking quite blue on film.
Extras who appeared in this film were reportedly given $1 in cash, a donut, and a Dawn of the Dead T-shirt.
The outdoor scene where hunters, emergency crew and soldiers are shooting at zombies was done using local volunteers. Several local hunters arrived on-scene with their own weapons, the local National Guard division showed up in full gear, and local emergency crew (police, fire and ambulance) were present, all voluntarily.
Dario Argento was an admirer of George A. Romero's work, and vice-versa. When Argento heard that Romero was contemplating a sequel to La Nuit des morts-vivants (1968) he insisted that Romero come out to Argento's native Rome to write the script without distractions. Romero knocked out the script in 3 weeks and, though Argento read the script as it came out, he left all the writing to Romero. Argento also provided most of the film's soundtrack and, in return for the rights to edit the European version of the film, assisted in raising the necessary funds.
The two zombie children who attack Peter in the airport chart house are played by Melissa Dunlap and Mike Savini, the real-life niece and nephew of Tom Savini. These are the only zombies in all of George A. Romero's "Dead" films that spontaneously run and never do the trademark "Zombie shuffle."
Joseph Pilato: as a policeman at the boat dock. Pilato had auditioned for the role of Stephen, and would play Captain Rhodes in Le Jour des morts-vivants (1985).
John Amplas: In 3 roles: Rico, the last Puerto Rican bandit to be shot on the ghetto apartment rooftop, Mall Parking Lot Zombie whose arm is pulled off and Zombie thrown over the mall balcony by Peter.
George A. Romero: plays both the director in the television studio, and "Old Nick" the Santa Claus biker (briefly visible in biker raid).