Inside the Strange True Story of the Tarman in 'Return of the Living Dead'

12 min read

We were new to town and still getting to know our neighbors a few years ago when my wife told me: "You've got to meet Diane's husband Allan. He's the first zombie in history to say, ' Braaaiiiiinnns ....!'"

That's how I was introduced to Allan Trautman, a lifelong actor and puppeteer who is best known as the cranium-munching fiend "Tarman" from the 1985 comedy-horror cult-classic Return of the Living Dead . Or at least, he would be known for it if more people realized there was a real guy inside that oily, oozing bundle of rags and bones.

Four decades after the release of that movie, Tarman is everywhere—posters, t-shirts , sneakers , action figures . You can also buy a cute little huggable version . Return of the Living Dead even has its own pseudo-holiday.