What Do Zombie Actors Eat? Behind the Scenes of the Undead Appetite
The sight of zombies gnawing on flesh is a staple of the horror genre, and the popular series The Walking Dead is no exception. But what you see on screen isn’t always what it seems. So, what exactly do these dedicated actors, portraying the undead, actually consume during filming? The answer, surprisingly, is often far from gruesome. Zombie actors predominantly eat ham on set. Instead of the horrifying long pig (human flesh), they are given juicy bits of ham to chew on. This provides a safe and practical alternative to the on-screen gore.
Feeding the Undead: The Ham Alternative
The Practicalities of On-Set Dining
The use of ham isn’t simply a random choice; it is carefully selected for several reasons. Firstly, it is a safe and edible option, ensuring no actors consume anything that could pose a health risk. Secondly, ham has a texture that, when coated with fake blood, can effectively resemble human flesh, achieving the desired visual effect without the use of potentially unsanitary or offensive alternatives. The ham is typically pre-cut into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for actors to handle and consume quickly between takes.
From Barbecue Sauce to Fake Blood
In the early days of filming The Walking Dead, a barbecue sauce was also used along with the ham. The sauce was intended to make the ham more palatable and enjoyable for the actors. However, the vinegar in the barbecue sauce interfered with the zombie makeup, causing it to degrade or peel off. This led to the removal of barbecue sauce from the zombie dining menu. Now, the ham is generously covered with fake blood to enhance the gore effect, and while it is visually disgusting, the ham itself remains the primary food source.
Beyond the Ham
While ham is the main “meal” for zombie actors on The Walking Dead, it is important to note that they have other options for sustenance. Like any other actors working long hours, they need to stay hydrated and energized. The production team will always ensure that there is a steady supply of drinks, snacks and proper meals for all crew members, including zombie actors. These might include water, juice, fruits, sandwiches, and other typical catering fare.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Zombie Eating Habits (In-Universe & On Set)
1. What do the “walkers” (zombies) eat in The Walking Dead universe?
In The Walking Dead universe, the walkers are not picky eaters. They will consume anything they perceive as alive or once-living. This includes humans, horses, rats, rabbits, and deer. The drive is based on instinct, not nutritional need.
2. Do The Walking Dead zombies need to eat?
No, walkers do not need to eat for survival. They are the reanimated dead, so their digestive systems are not functional. Their hunger is a primal urge, not a physiological need for sustenance. This requires a suspension of disbelief from the audience.
3. Why are zombies always hungry?
The insatiable hunger of zombies is driven by a primeval instinct emanating from the remaining active portion of their brain. This instinct is not for nourishment but a relentless, uncontrollable desire to consume living flesh. The nature of this drive is explored in George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead.
4. Why don’t zombies attack other zombies?
Zombies do not attack and eat other zombies because they are not considered living. The zombies are not cannibals and do not show an interest in other decaying bodies. Besides, after rotting underground or being dead for long periods, the taste would likely be extremely unappetizing.
5. How do zombies not starve to death?
Zombies do not eat out of a need for self-sustenance, instead, they are driven by a rage against the living caused by the agent that transformed them. This drive mirrors a rabid animal’s need to bite. Without nourishment, they do not starve to death as there is no need to maintain bodily functions for a dead body.
6. What happens to a zombie if they don’t eat?
If the zombie is a diseased, but still living person (as seen in 28 Days Later), they might wander aimlessly or become stationary if they cannot access a living food source, eventually dying of starvation. However, in most zombie lore, if a zombie is truly undead, not eating will not cause starvation because they no longer require nutrition.
7. Can you survive a zombie bite in The Walking Dead?
No, a bite (or even a scratch) from a walker is almost always fatal in the world of The Walking Dead. The infection is overwhelming, and without functional modern medical facilities, there is no viable way to treat the disease.
8. Do zombies feel pain in The Walking Dead?
Walkers do not feel pain. This means that stabbing them in vital organs is often ineffective. While cutting off limbs can hinder their movement, the zombie remains “alive” in its undead state.
9. How do walkers go to the toilet?
This is a question that addresses the absurd. Walkers do not have functional digestive or excretory systems, so they do not need to use the toilet. They are essentially rotting corpses brought to a state of pseudo-life and their bodily processes are nonexistent.
10. Why didn’t walkers eat Morgan in Fear the Walking Dead?
In Fear the Walking Dead, the showrunner explained that Morgan was ignored by walkers because he was so close to death that his scent tricked the walkers into believing he was one of them.
11. Do walkers need sleep?
Walkers do not require sleep or any rest to maintain their activity levels. Their decaying bodies may eventually become weak and immobile, but that is due to decay and not a result of starvation or exhaustion.
12. What do zombies hate?
In some comedic takes on zombies, they have an aversion to certain things. In popular culture they’re sometimes humorously portrayed to hate clowns, hippies, zip lines, penguins, moon penguins, nudists, weddings, sharing and kittens. This is largely done for comedic effect, and not typically a factor in shows like The Walking Dead.
13. Do zombies go to sleep?
No, zombies do not go to sleep. Instead, they enter a dormant state when not actively seeking flesh. This dormancy is explained in World War Z and can be seen in The Walking Dead.
14. Can zombies starve to death?
No, zombies cannot starve to death. The zombie will continue to rot over time, ultimately decaying and falling apart. However, they do not require food to survive as they are technically dead.
15. How long can walkers live?
Walkers can continue to exist for potentially 60 years or more. This is based on the notion that they would decay and breakdown over a couple of generations, though this depends on the level of decay and environmental factors.
Conclusion
The world of the undead is complex, even behind the scenes. While zombie actors are tasked with portraying the horrific consumption of flesh, their on-set dining experiences are far less terrifying. The use of ham and fake blood is a practical solution that ensures both safety and realism. The in-universe zombies, though driven by a primal hunger, are not eating for sustenance, but rather for a relentless, instinctual urge. Understanding these differences between reality and fiction helps to deepen the audience’s appreciation for the intricacies of zombie lore and the dedication of the actors that bring these creatures to life.