Rod Serling
Birthday: Born in 1924-12-25 in Syracuse, New York, USA
Deathday: 1975-06-28
Rodman Edward Serling (Rod Serling) (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his anthology television series, The Twilight Zone. Serling was active in politics, both on and off the screen, and helped form television industry standards. He was known as the "angry young man" of Hollywood, clashing with television executives and sponsors over a wide range of issues including censorship, racism, and war.
TV Credits
The David Susskind Show
Character: Self
The David Susskind Show is an American television talk show hosted by David Susskind. The program began its existence in 1958 as Open End, and was broadcast by WNTA-TV in New York City. The title referred to the fact that the program continued until Susskind or his guests were too tired to continue late on a Sunday night....
Night Gallery
Character: Self - Host
Rod Serling narrates an anthology of fantasy, horror and sci-fi stories from a set resembling a macabre museum. A chilling work of art serves as the connective link between the stories....
The Twilight Zone
Character: Self - Host
A series of unrelated stories containing drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and/or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist....
Ironside
Character:
When an assassin's bullet confines him to a wheelchair for life ending his career as Chief of Detectives, Robert T. Ironside becomes a consultant to the police department. Detective Sergeant Ed Brown and policewoman Eve Whitfield join with him to crack varied and fascinating cases. Ex-con Mark Sanger is employed by the chief as home help but eventually becomes a fully fledged member of the team also. Officer Whitfield leaves after 4 years service, and is replaced by Officer Fran Belding....
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
Character: Self
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse is an American television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. The show ran on CBS television between 1958 and 1960. Two of its 48 episodes served as pilots for the 1950s television series The Twilight Zone and The Untouchables....
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Character: Self (uncredited)
An American sketch comedy television program hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin....
The Sixth Sense
Character:
The Sixth Sense is an American paranormal thriller television...
The Jack Benny Program
Character: Self
Laugh along with funnyman Jack Benny as he brings his underplayed humor to TV along with regular performers from his radio show days....
The Red Skelton Show
Character: Self / Cameo (uncredited)
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awa...
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Character: Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time....
The Pet Set
Character: Self
Each episode of this part talk show, part docuseries begins with animal-loving celebrities showcasing their pets. The showcase transitions into a documentary segment on the species previously showcased, followed by a discussion with an animal expert, and concluding with host Betty White and sometimes her guest stars outside with a wild animal....
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Character: Self
An American sketch comedy television program hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin....
The Danny Kaye Show
Character: Self
The Danny Kaye Show is an American variety show hosted by Danny Kaye that aired on CBS from 1963 to 1967 on Wednesday nights. Directed by Robert Scheerer, the show premiered in black-and-white, but later switched to color broadcasts. At the time, Kaye was at the height of his popularity, having starred in a string of successful films in the 1940s and '50's, made successful personal appearances at such venues as the London Palladium, and appeared many times on television. His most recent films ha...
The Dick Cavett Show
Character: Self - Guest
The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks....
Movie Credits
The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration
Character: Narrator (archive sound)
Six episodes of the original series, restored and on the big screen for the first time, and a special retrospective documentary encompass this Fathom Event....
Rod Serling: Submitted for Your Approval
Character: Self (Archive Footage)
The life and career of the renowned television writer and creator of the classic science fiction series, "The Twilight Zone."...
The Movie Orgy
Character: Self (archive footage)
Clips from assorted television programs, B-movies, commercials, music performances, newsreels, bloopers, satirical short films and promotional and government films of the 1950s and 1960s are intercut together to tell a single story of various creatures and societal ills attacking American cities....
Tales of the Uncanny
Character: Self (archive footage)
A detailed look at the history of horror anthology films....
Encounter with the Unknown
Character: Narrator (voice)
Three eerie tales based on actual events are enacted in this film. First, three college students play a prank on a geeky classmate, who is accidentally shot and killed. His vengeful mother forecasts the deaths of the three young men she holds responsible, on 7, 14, and 21 days hence. And, one by one, her grim predictions come true. Next, a ghoulish sound emanates from a mist-shrouded hole in the Earth near where a Missouri boy has lost his dog. The boy's father is lowered into the hole and lets ...
In Search of Ancient Mysteries
Character: Narrator
An examination of mysteries of the ancient world and their connection to the possibility that aliens visited Earth....
The Outer Space Connection
Character: Narrator
This documentary examines the speculation that aliens have visited Earth in ancient times, and built structures to which they will return at a future date....
UFOs: Past, Present, and Future
Character: Narrator
A documentary about unidentified flying objects (UFOs)....
In Search of Ancient Astronauts
Character: Narrator
An edited version of the 1970 German documentary "Erinnerungen an die Zukunft" (Chariots of the Gods), this examines the theory that aliens have landed on Earth in ancient times and were responsible for many of mankind's oldest mysteries....
Mike Wallace Is Here
Character: Self (archive footage)
For over half a century, 60 Minutes' fearsome newsman Mike Wallace went head-to-head with the world's most influential figures. Relying exclusively on archival footage, the film interrogates the interrogator, tracking Wallace's storied career and troubled personal life while unpacking how broadcast journalism evolved to today’s precarious tipping point....
The Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond
Character: Narrator
The curse of the legendary blue Hope Diamond on all its owners is dramatized from the gem's discovery in 17th Century India until its donation to the Smithsonian Institute....
Appointment With Destiny: The Last Days of John Dillenger
Character: Himself (Narrator)
John Dillinger had a very public, whirlwind career until authorities took him off the streets for good....
Night Gallery
Character: Self - Host
This anthology telefilm aired on NBC on November 8, 1969, and tells three strange tales: "The Cemetery," directed by Boris Sagal; "Eyes," directed by Steven Spielberg; and "The Escape Route," directed by Barry Shear. This film also served as a backdoor pilot for the TV series of the same name, which premiered on December 16, 1970....
The Twilight Zone Christmas Classics
Character: Self
The Christmas Fantasy "Night of the Meek" starring Art Carney as a drunken department-store Santa who experiences quite an epiphany on Christmas Eve. And “Five Characters in search of an exit”....
The Exiles
Character: Self
A chronicle of the rescue of oppressed intellectuals and artists from Europe before the outbreak of World War II. It studies the cultural and intellectual impact of this emigre population on American life....
Phantom of the Paradise
Character: Introductory Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Fledgling singer-songwriter Winslow Leach finds himself double-crossed by the nefarious music producer Swan, who steals both his music and the girl Winslow wants to sing it, Phoenix, for the grand opening of his new rock palace, the Paradise. After Swan has Winslow sent to prison for trespassing, Winslow endures a freak accident that leaves him disfigured and seeking revenge....
Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man
Character: Self (archive footage)
A documentary about one of the most influential science fiction writers of the 1950s and 1960s. Charles Beaumont was responsible for penning some of the most memorable Twilight Zone episodes before his untimely death at age 38....
The Twilight Zone 60th: Remembering Rod Serling
Character: Self
Celebrating 60 years of the landmark television series, this all-new documentary takes viewers on a journey into the fertile imagination and the life of creator Rod Serling. This insightful chronicle provides viewers with a closer look at the life experiences that inspired Serling's unique blend of thought-provoking and visionary storytelling -- from his experiences as a paratrooper in world war 2, to his early writing days in live television, and ultimately the creation of the classic Twilight ...