One of the most iconic zombies from George A. Romero’s horror classic Dawn of the Dead became known to fans as “Helicopter Zombie,” and it was actor Jim Krut who brought the memorable member of the undead to the screen. Sadly, Jim Krut has passed away this week.
Tom Savini writes on Instagram, “Jim Krut, one of my dearest friends, has passed away. We did college together, did plays, did movies, did horror conventions. I personally cast him as the Helicopter Zombie in Dawn of the Dead. He was a genuinely good person. Will miss you pal.”
Jim Krut’s character in the horror classic was of course named after a memorable moment of Tom Savini gore from the film. Helicopter Zombie quite literally gets the top of his head sliced off by a helicopter blade, becoming one of the film’s most enduring images.
So memorable was Jim Krut’s brief appearance in Dawn of the Dead that Krut was a popular guest at horror conventions for decades after the release of the zombie horror classic.
Jim Krut appeared in dozens of indie horror movies in more recent years, including Zombthology, Deadlands 2: Trapped, Dead Island, Flesh of the Living, Ghosting, Bottom Creek, Return of the Slasher Nurse, Remnants, Darkness Waits, Full Moon Fever, Coffintooth, Blood and Breakfast, and Heavy Duty Man just last year, as well as the upcoming The Barn: Part III.
If you ever met Jim Krut at a horror convention over the years, share your memories below.
