Rod Serling

Rod Serling (born December 25, 1924, in Syracuse, New York; died June 28, 1975, in Rochester, NY)  was an influential writer who thrived in TV’s Golden Age. Key TV credits include Patterns (1955), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1956) and Playhouse 90 (1956–1960). He created the popular and influential series The Twilight Zone (1959–1964), where he used sci-fi and fantasy to address such issues as bigotry, paranoia and Cold War fears. He later created a similar Night Gallery (1969–1973). Key film credits include the screenplay for Seven Days in May (1964) and Planet of the Apes (1968) (co-screenwriter).