# John Amplas

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**John Amplas** (born June 23, 1949)[1] is an American actor known primarily for his work with director [George A. Romero](/source/George_A._Romero),[2] particularly his appearances in the title role of *[Martin](/source/Martin_(1978_film))* (1977), as well as *[Dawn of the Dead](/source/Dawn_of_the_Dead_(1978_film))* (1978) and *[Creepshow](/source/Creepshow)* (1982).

## Biography

Amplas's first film with [George A. Romero](/source/George_A._Romero) was the cult film *[Martin](/source/Martin_(1978_film))* (1977), in which he played the title role of a man who believes himself to be a [vampire](/source/Vampire).[3] The character of Martin was initially an older man[4] but after Romero saw Amplas in a Pittsburgh production of *[Philemon](/source/Philemon_(musical))* he decided to rewrite the part to suit Amplas and cast him in the role.[5]

Thereafter, he appeared in a number of other films directed by Romero, including *[Dawn of the Dead](/source/Dawn_of_the_Dead_(1978_film))* (1978),[6] *[Knightriders](/source/Knightriders)* (1981),[7] *[Creepshow](/source/Creepshow)* (1982),[8] and *[Day of the Dead](/source/Day_of_the_Dead_(1985_film))* (1985),[6] as well as *[Toxic Zombies](/source/Toxic_Zombies)* (1980),[9] and *[Midnight](/source/Midnight_(1982_film))* (1982), directed by [John Russo](/source/John_A._Russo).[10]

He acted in a horror concept teaser entitled *The Three* (2011) directed by filmmaker Scott Goldberg which also features co-lead from *Day of the Dead* [Lori Cardille](/source/Lori_Cardille).[11] He starred also in the feature film adaption of the Rob Steigert short film *Ombis*.[12]

## Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1977 Martin Martin Mathias [13] 1978 Dawn of the Dead 2nd Man on Roof Uncredited 1980 Toxic Zombies Philips 1981 Knightriders Whiteface [14] 1982 Creepshow Nathan as zombie [7] 1982 Midnight Abraham [15] 1985 Day of the Dead Dr. Ted Fisher [16] 1994 No Pets Eddie Buford 2001 A Wedding for Bella Jimmy 2002 Daddy Cool Reverend Alter 2014 Progression Master of Ceremonies 2016 Potent Media's Sugar Skull Girls Demetrius 2018 After Hours Trading Pawnbroker

## References

1. ["John Amplas"](https://www.allmovie.com/artist/john-amplas-p1417). *[AllMovie](/source/AllMovie)*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20200326194450/https://www.allmovie.com/artist/john-amplas-p1417) March 26, 2020 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["The New York Times"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131030144749/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1417/John-Amplas/biography). [Baseline](/source/Baseline_(database)) & [All Movie Guide](/source/All_Movie_Guide). 2013. Archived from [the original](https://movies.nytimes.com/person/1417/John-Amplas/biography) on 2013-10-30.

1. Williams 2015, pp. 83, 108.

1. Knipfel, Jim (October 19, 2017). ["Martin: George Romero’s Teen Vampire Movie is One of His Best"](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/martin-george-romeros-teen-vampire-movie-is-one-of-his-best/). *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*. Retrieved June 5, 2021.

1. Sciullo, Maria (July 17, 2017). ["'Martin' star recalls George Romero"](https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2017/07/17/George-Romero-Martin-John-Amplas/stories/201707180020). *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)*. Retrieved June 5, 2021.

1. Kane 2010, p. 141.

1. Williams 2015, p. 274.

1. Kane 2010, p. 137.

1. Allbright 2012, p. 287.

1. Allbright 2012, p. 291.

1. [John Amplas - BioGamer Girl Magazine](http://www.blogtalkradio.com/undeadnoise/2011/03/02/undeaad-noise-with-mistress-barbie-and-the-primal-root-ep-11/)

1. ["New Trailer for Ombis; Interview with Special Effects Artist Phill Beith"](http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/55308/new-trailer-ombis-interview-special-effects-artist-phill-beith). DreadCentral.

1. Williams 2015, p. 83.

1. Williams 2015, p. 110.

1. Stine 2003, p. 187.

1. Williams 2015, p. 141.

## Sources

- Allbright, Brian (2012). *Regional Horror Films, 1958-1990: A State-by-State Guide with Interviews*. [McFarland & Company](/source/McFarland_%26_Company). ISBN 9780786472277.
- Kane, Joe (2010). *Night of the Living Dead: Behind the Scenes of the Most Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever*. [Citadel Press](/source/Citadel_Press). ISBN 978-0-8065-3331-5.
- Stine, Scott Aaron (2003). *The Gorehound's Guide to Splatter Films of the 1980s*. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-476-61132-7.
- Williams, Tony (2015). *The Cinema of George A. Romero: Knight of the Living Dead*. 2nd ed. New York City, New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-85075-9.

## External links

- [John Amplas](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm25355/) at IMDb
- [Tea Time with Martin: An Interview with John Amplas - March 2011](http://www.terrortrap.com/interviews/johnamplas/)
- [Interview with John Amplas, November 2010](http://thesunbreak.com/2010/11/08/interview-with-a-vampire-john-amplas-of-george-romeros-martin-speaks)
- [Interview with John Amplas, May 2011](http://www.framingbusiness.net/archives/1748)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John Amplas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amplas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amplas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.