John Zacherle · Philadelphia / New York · WCAU-TV / WABC-TV · 1957-1965
The Cool Ghoul. Established the horror host template everyone else followed. WWII veteran and U of Penn graduate who stumbled into hosting. Created Roland, a ghoulish undertaker with unseen wife "My Dear." First host to interrupt movies with live comedy bits. His novelty song "Dinner with Drac" hit #6 on Billboard.