One of Emge's classmates and acting partners while in college was Ron Glass, who later became famous as a starring member of the situation comedy Barney Miller. While working as a chef in a New York City restaurant, Emge met George A. Romero, who cast him in the role for which he would be most remembered, as Stephen in Romero's zombie epic, Dawn of the Dead. As of 2007, Emge participates in occasional acting and film conventions.