Tom Savini chose the gray color for the zombies' skin, since Die Nacht der lebenden Toten (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.
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."
Filming at the Monroeville Mall took place during the winter of 1977-78, with a three-week reprieve during the Christmas shopping season (during which other footage, e.g. the TV studio, was shot). Filming at the mall began around 10 p.m., shortly after the mall closed, and finished at 6 a.m. The mall didn't open until 10:30, but at 6 the Music came on and no one knew how to turn it off, there were a few bars in that area, and Savini remembers making up zombies who would then go to the bar and drink. Everyone agreed this probably helped their performances. Savini does say the drunk zombies caused damage, particularly a couple who stole a golf cart and crashed it inside the mall.
Joseph Pilato: as a policeman at the boat dock. Pilato had auditioned for the role of Stephen, and would play Captain Rhodes in Zombie 2 - Das letzte Kapitel (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).