Michael J. Tomaso

Michael J. Tomaso started out in the film business shortly after graduating from Port Charlotte High School in 1984 in Charlotte County, Florida. Later that year, he was then hired by George A. Romero to play the role of the 'football player' zombie in his last 'living dead' movie in the Night of the Living Dead (1968) trilogy, Day of the Dead (1985); after finding out about the upcoming film from his teacher, mentor and friend, Dr. Paul M. Cleveland; that Mr. Romero was coming to Lee County, Florida to make the movie. Michael immediately contacted his friend, Kyra Schon [who played 'Karen' in the original 'Night of the Living Dead' in 1968], who confirmed it. Kyra referred Michael directly to Mr. Romero; Mr. Romero then referred Michael to his casting directors Christine Forrest-Romero; Gaylen Ross and Gary Brotz; who gave him the part as the 'football player' zombie; subsequently making Michael's character an iconic staple within the 'living dead' movie genre that has acquired a worldwide cult following. Michael then continued to sporadically appear as an Extra or as a Stand-In in several other films; more notably as an SSTC Extra/Stand-In in Twister (1996); as an E-Deck Passenger Extra in James Cameron's Titanic (1997); as a student protester at Kent State in The '70s (2000); as a doomed prom-goer in Carrie (2002); and as a Ballroom Passenger Extra in Wolfgang Petersen's Poseidon (2006). Michael lobbied for a part in 'Poseidon' because he was a fan of the original _Irwin Allen (I)_ disaster epic, The Poseidon Adventure (1972); despite his fear of heights and rising water. Michael was also originally slated to do Extras work in the film, Deep Impact (1998) for their NYC sequences; but he was bumped from the project and ended up doing the same thing for scenes in Godzilla (1998). More recently, Michael auditioned for a small part in The Crazies (2010); and shortly before that, Michael was offered a small role as one of Charles Manson's 'followers' in Helter Skelter (2004). However, since Michael treats every character he portrays; no matter how big, small or insignificant; as an extension of himself; and because he always does his best to look for integrity in that particular character, as well as a redeeming value in the story, he was compelled to turn the part down, due to his deeply rooted, moral and ethical principles. Michael is presently dividing his time between his multimedia business, his law studies and in working with an acting coach to prepare him for a few upcoming roles. After initially desiring to retire from acting, altogether to study Law, Michael decided to pick up a job (in the film business) from time to time to periodically give him a break from his studies to do something he had always enjoyed doing.