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marilyn eastman

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Horror fans remember her as one of the protagonists of “Night of the Living Dead.” Marilyn Eastman passed away on August 22, 2021, at the age of 87, as confirmed by her son John Eastman on her own Facebook page. “I am very saddened to announce the passing of my mother, Marilyn Eastman, on August 22 in Tampa, Florida. 

Born in Davenport, a town in Iowa, on December 17, 1933, Marilyn Marie Johnson –her real name– began her professional journey as a director of radio programs. Marilyn Eastman  first appeared as an actress playing a secretary on the popular series  Perry Mason .

With actor Karl Hardman,  Marilyn Eastman  created the production company Hardman Associates. This company provided an important contribution that was key for  George A. Romero to  shoot  Night of the Living Dead . She was completely involved, as she participated in the make-up and editing departments. She played Helen Cooper, a woman who, in the face of the zombie invasion, has hidden in the basement of a house, along with her daughter and her husband, played by Hardman. The actress also gave life to one of the living dead in the film, who eats an insect that crawls on a tree. 

Marilyn Eastman  married writer and broadcaster John F. Eastman. Both were parents of John Eastman, who has made his first steps in the film industry.

Despite the huge success of  Night of the Living Dead ,  Marilyn Eastman  had a limited career on the big screen. After that film, she only played small roles in the 90s, in  The Guest  and  Santa Claws .

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