The credits of Dead City season 2, episode 2 stated that the episode was dedicated to Frank Hildebrand. Dedicating episodes to cast and crew members who have passed away between seasons is hardly new, but many fans of The Walking Dead may not know who Hildebrand was. He wasn't an actor or a major creative voice behind the show, and he wasn't even directly involved with Dead City at all. That being said, Frank Hildebrand was a big part of the Walking Dead franchise as a whole, and there's a simple reason he got an episode dedicated to him.
Frank Hildebrand Worked On Fear The Walking Dead
Hildebrand Was Fear The Walking Dead's Producer & Production Manager
Frank Hildebrand died on November 21, 2024, at the age of 73 (via Deadline). The reason The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, episode 2 was dedicated to Frank Hildebrand was that he was a producer and production manager for Fear the Walking Dead. Hildebrand joined Fear the Walking Dead in season 2, and his roles on the show kept him behind the scenes. As a production manager, Hildebrand was responsible for most of the logistics of making Fear the Walking Dead, like hiring employees, doing the paperwork necessary to secure filming locations, managing catering companies and much more.
It's safe to say that without Hildebrand's efforts, Fear the Walking Dead wouldn't have been possible. He may not have had the biggest creative voice on the show, but his work as a producer and production manager made everything run smoothly behind the scenes. Hildebrand's logistical work made Fear the Walking Dead's massive cast of extras as zombies, its sprawling outdoor filming locations, and more would have been an insurmountable task. At the very least, Fear the Walking Dead wouldn't have been capable of the massive scope it had without him. Hildebrand was a crucial part of the Walking Dead franchise, so Dead City honored him.
Where Else You Know Frank Hildebrand's Work
Hildebrand Produced Movies Like Into The Wild & The Hills Have Eyes
Fear the Walking Dead was Frank Hildebrand's last and largest project as a producer and production manager, but it was far from his only notable creation. Outside of Fear the Walking Dead, Hildebrand was known for movies like Into the Wild, The Hills Have Eyes, and The Tree of Life. He began his Hollywood career in the 1980s and worked on dozens of films. Hildebrand also had a noteworthy focus on horror movies, such as Prison, Cellar Dweller, and Project: Metalbeast. He's even set to appear posthumously as himself in an upcoming documentary about Empire Pictures, titled "Celluloid Wizards in the Video Wasteland."
Frank Hildebrand's dedication in Dead City season 2, episode 2 also highlights how many people are involved in show business. Though Hildebrand never appeared on camera and many fans of Fear the Walking Dead likely didn't know his name until now, he was a crucial part of the series. Producers and production managers like Hildebrand take care of the logistics and business needs so that directors and actors can tell the best story possible. It's good that The Walking Dead: Dead City didn't forget the impact Frank Hildebrand had on the franchise and didn't let his work go unnoticed.
