The TV industry lost a real one this week. Jerry Golod, the iconic producer behind the cult classic series "Tales From the Darkside," passed away this Wednesday at his home in Rancho Mirage. He was 87 and had been battling cancer, according to reports.
A legendary career
If you love vintage horror and retro TV vibes, you have Golod to thank for a lot of your favorites. Back in the early '80s, he saw the massive success of the Stephen King film "Creepshow" and decided to link up with director George A. Romero and producer Richard P. Rubinstein. The result? "Tales From the Darkside," an anthology series that lowkey became a massive cult phenomenon and ran for four seasons. It’s still giving peak spooky energy today.
Golod wasn't just a producer, though; he was a serious player in the executive world. He held major roles at both CBS and NBC throughout the '70s and '80s, overseeing everything from daytime hits and kids' shows to late-night programming. He was also the mastermind behind the adventure series "Adderly" and the 1991 reboot of "Land of the Lost."
Legacy left behind
Born in the Bronx back in 1938, Golod’s career path was iconic. From his early days at an ad agency to running his own production company, JayGee Productions, he basically helped shape the television landscape we recognize today. Even later in his career, he showed he was still plugged into the culture, co-owning the Pet Television Network in the '90s.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth, along with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Real talk: the screen wouldn't be the same without his influence.
Why it matters
Jerry Golod’s work on anthology horror and family-friendly reboots helped define the landscape of 20th-century television, ensuring that the "Tales From the Darkside" legacy lives on in the hearts of genre fans everywhere.
