The producer behind the cult horror anthology series died in Rancho Mirage after a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy in television and children's programming.
Jerry Golod, the executive producer who helped shape the legacy of 'Tales from the Darkside', has died at 87. The news was confirmed by his daughter Dori Golod Howell and reported by Deadline and Variety. Golod passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, following a brief battle with cancer.
Born on December 26, 1938, in the Bronx, Golod began his career in advertising before moving into television. He served as vice president of children’s programs at CBS in 1975, then shifted to NBC Entertainment in 1979 as vice president and national program director. There, he oversaw daytime shows, children’s content, variety specials, and late-night programming on the West Coast.
His most lasting contribution came after the success of George A. Romero’s 1982 film Creepshow, based on Stephen King’s stories. Golod partnered with Romero and Richard P. Rubinstein to adapt the EC Comics horror anthology for television, resulting in Tales from the Darkside (1983–1988). The show ran for four seasons and built a devoted cult following, known for its twist-heavy, genre-bending episodes.
Golod also executive produced Return to Green Acres (1990), reuniting Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor from the original 1960s sitcom, and the 1991–1992 revival of Land of the Lost. He was instrumental in adapting Elliott Baker’s novel Pocock & Pitt into the Canadian series Adderly (1986–1988), drawn to the character’s potential.
In later years, he worked on a failed reboot of Tales from the Darkside for CBS and The CW, which reached pilot stage in 2015 but never moved forward. He also co-chaired Pet Television Network in the 90s, a cable service focused on animal-themed content.
Golod is survived by his wife Ruth, children Dori and Jason, son-in-law Doug, daughter-in-law Danielle, grandchildren Gavin, Ramey, Morgan, and Madison, great-grandsons Everett and Winslow, and several nieces and nephews.
The loss marks the end of an era in American television production — his work bridged classic network programming with genre innovation, leaving a quiet but deep imprint on the medium.
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