First job, member of traveling group that put on horror and magic shows at movie theaters during intermissions at age 14

Worked (gratis) for local Pittsburgh TV station's weekly "Chiller Theater", creating monsters and doing makeup for the host at age 16

Feature debut as makeup assistant on Bob Clark's "Deathdream/Night Walk/Dead of Night"

Feature debut as special makeup effects artist on "Deranged"

First collaboration with George Romero as special makeup effects artist and actor on "Martin"

Debut as stuntman and fight choreographer (also actor and makeup FX) for Romero's "Dawn of the Dead"

First major supporting feature role as Morgan the Black Knight (also stunt man and makeup FX) in Romero's "Knightriders"

Constructed monsters for Romero's "Creepshow" (also actor and makeup FX)

TV directing debut, "Tales From the Darkside"

Feature directing debut, "Night of the Living Dead" (remake)