John Zacherle was a legendary television host, radio personality, singer, and voice actor, who entertained millions of viewers and listeners with his horror-themed shows and songs. He was known as “The Cool Ghoul” for his humorous and spooky persona of “Roland/Zacherley”, a horror host who introduced classic horror films on local TV stations in Philadelphia and New York in the 1950s and 1960s. He also recorded a hit novelty song called “Dinner With Drac” in 1958, which reached the top ten on the Billboard charts. He died on October 27, 2016, at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and fright. This article will explore the life and career of John Zacherle, as well as the circumstances of his death.
A Ghoul is Born
John Zacherle was born on September 26, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1940, with a degree in English literature. He served as a captain in the US Army during World War II, and later worked as an actor at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, where he played various roles in a Western drama called “Action in the Afternoon”
In 1957, he was hired as the host of a horror film package show called “Shock Theater”, which aired on WCAU. He appeared as Roland, a horror host dressed in a long black undertaker’s coat, who would make witty and macabre comments before and after the films. He also had a sidekick, a rubber spider named Myron, and a wife named My Dear, who was never seen but often heard screaming from a coffin. His show was so popular that he received thousands of fan letters and requests. He was also a close colleague of Dick Clark, who gave him his nickname of “The Cool Ghoul”
A Ghoul Goes to New York
In 1959, Zacherle moved to New York City, where he joined WABC-TV and changed the name of his show to “Zacherley at Large” and his character to Zacherley. He continued to host horror films, but also added more comedy and variety elements to his show, such as musical guests, sketches, and interviews. He also recorded his famous song “Dinner With Drac”, which was a humorous parody of horror films, featuring Zacherley as a vampire who invites his friends to a feast. The song was a huge hit, selling over one million copies and reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Zacherley also released several albums of horror-themed songs and stories, such as “Spook Along With Zacherley” and “Zacherley’s Monster Gallery”
In 1963, he moved to WPIX-TV, where he hosted “Chiller Theatre”, another horror film show. He also branched out to other genres, such as hosting a teenage dance show called “Disc-O-Teen” on WNJU-TV in 1964, and becoming a morning radio host for WNEW-FM in 1968, where he played progressive rock music and interviewed celebrities. He also did voice work for films and cartoons, such as “Mad Monster Party” and “The Groovie Goolies”. He also edited two collections of horror stories, called “Zacherley’s Vulture Stew” and “Zacherley’s Midnight Snacks”
A Ghoul’s Legacy
Zacherle continued to work in radio and television until his retirement in 2015. He also made frequent appearances at horror conventions, comic book shows, and Halloween events, where he met and greeted his loyal fans. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2010, and received a Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2012. He was also honored by the Horror Writers Association with a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Lifetime of Horror in 2014
Zacherle died on October 27, 2016, at his apartment in Manhattan, New York. He was 98 years old. His cause of death was natural causes. He was surrounded by his family and friends, including his sister, Ida North, her sons John and Henry North, his nurse, Ina Sanders, his physician, and his friend, Frank Hennessy. His death was announced on the front page of the New York Times, with the headline “John Zacherle, TV’s ‘Cool Ghoul,’ Dies at 98”. His funeral was held in New York, where he was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Hudson River
Zacherle is survived by his three nieces, including Bonnie Zacherle, the creator of the My Little Pony toys, as well as several great-nieces, nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. He is also remembered by millions of fans who grew up watching and listening to his horror shows and songs. He was a pioneer of horror hosting, a master of comedy, and a lover of life. He was John Zacherle, the Cool Ghoul
