Industry Mourns: Veteran Producer Jerry Golod of 'Tales From the Darkside' Passes Away at 87
Television producer and executive Jerry Golod, known for launching "Tales From the Darkside" and holding key roles at CBS and NBC, has died at 87. His career spanned decades, impacting children's programming, late-night shows, and bringing cult classics to the screen.
Jerry Golod, a prominent figure in television production and an executive at major networks, passed away at the age of 87 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Wednesday, following a brief battle with cancer. Throughout his extensive career, Golod held significant executive positions at both CBS and NBC, before venturing into independent production with JayGee Productions in the early 1980s.
One of Golod's most notable achievements was his role in bringing the popular horror anthology series “Tales From the Darkside” to television. Inspired by the success of Stephen King’s 1982 film “Creepshow,” he collaborated with director George A. Romero and producer Richard P. Rubinstein to launch the series. “Tales From the Darkside” ran for four seasons, establishing a high cult following. Later, Golod also joined CBS Television Studios and The CW in an attempt to develop a new revival of “Tales From the Darkside,” though this initiative did not progress beyond a 2015 pilot.
Golod's keen eye for content extended beyond horror. He was instrumental in launching the adventure series “Adderly” after being intrigued by a secondary character in Elliott Baker’s 1971 book, “Pocock and Pitt.” Starring Winston Rekert, “Adderly” aired for two seasons on CBS. His executive producer credits also include the 1985 CBS production “Brass,” “Return to Green Acres,” which successfully reunited the cast of the classic 1960s sitcom, and the 1991 revival of “Land of the Lost,” which also ran for two seasons.
His executive career saw him rise through the ranks at major networks. In 1975, Golod was appointed vice president of children’s programs at CBS. He then moved to NBC Entertainment in 1979, where he served as vice president and national program director, overseeing a wide array of programming including daytime, children’s, specials, variety, and West Coast late-night programming.
Born in the Bronx on December 26, 1938, Jerry Golod was a graduate of City College of New York. He began his professional journey at the advertising agency Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, where he ultimately became vice president and associate director of programming. He also spent three years managing a television production company affiliated with the agency. In the 1990s, Golod continued to innovate, working with Pet Television Network as co-chairman and co-owner of a cable and satellite service specifically designed for animal enthusiasts.
Jerry Golod is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth; their children, Dori and Jason; son-in-law Doug; daughter-in-law Danielle; grandchildren Gavin, Ramey, Morgan, and Madison; great-grandsons Everett and Winslow; and nieces and nephews Jill, David, Elise, Renee, Celia, Ari, and Ava.