Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: NJ Teen With One Limb Pranks Strangers By Pretending To Be Zombie
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 13, 2013
Modified Dec 13, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 13, 2013
Modified Dec 13, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A New Jersey teen who was born without an arm and both legs has become an internet sensation after posting videos in which he terrifies unsuspecting shoppers by pretending to be a zombie. Nick Santonastasso, 17, was profiled by the Star-Ledger in 2010 when he first learned how to walk with prosthetic legs. But he's gained international attention this week thanks to two "Zombie pranks" he pulled in a Bayville grocery store. Watch them below.
“To inspire and entertain at the same time. It’s a dream job. Trust me guys, plenty more funny content will be coming out soon. Thank you,” he said to his followers on Vine. He left out the part about terrifying strangers, but hey, they are pretty funny videos.
This isn't Santonastasso's only brush with zombies: one of his fans, Johnny Pope, started a petition on Change.org to get him a role on AMC's The Walking Dead. "Nick has made the best out of his physical situation [sic] and it would great if he could work as a zombie on up coming walking dead episode," Pope wrote.
When he was younger, Santonastasso also appeared on The Today Show with Tiki Barber:
You can browse all his videos here, including ones of him wrestling:
Tagged
new jersey
nick santonastasso
nj
prank
zombie
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 4:47 p.m. ET
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
NYPD still searching for man who threw burning substance on victim in East Harlem
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .