An influential American director and producer, he gained fame for his work in horror and gothic genres. He created the iconic TV series "Dark Shadows," which became a cult classic. His foray into feature films included adaptations of "Dracula" and "The Turn of the Screw." Known for his collaboration with writer Richard Matheson, he directed acclaimed TV movies like "The Night Stalker" and "Trilogy of Terror." His work left a lasting impact on horror television and film.