Magician Joseph Zawislak created a persona based on Roland (with John Zacherle's permission) and hit the Philadelphia airwaves on WPHL-TV in 1970. His first show lasted only 13 weeks but protests brought him back and a cult had begun. He was on three different shows during his reign: Scream-In, Mad Theater and Horror Theater. He also brought on his young daughter, Bubbles, on the air and she grew up along with his fans. Unfortunately, Joe died in 1979 at the young age of 42 years old. Philly fans still hold a spot in their hearts for Dr. Shock and so do we.
Additional Obit information
The Morning Call Allentown, Pennsylvania
October 1, 1979, page 33
HORROR SHOW HOST 'DR. SHOCK', 42
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joseph Zawislak, who as "Dr. Shock" was host to television horror shows in the greater Philadelphia area for nearly 10 years, died Friday of a heart attack. He was 42.
A spokesman for WPHL-TV, Channel 17, said Zawislak, who had a history of heart trouble, was stricken at his home in the city's Roxborough section Thursday night. He was taken to the Medical College of Pennsylvania's intensive care unit, where he died.
Zawislak hosted a three-hour, two segment horror show late Saturday nights called "Mad Theater" and "Horror Theater." He wore a frock coat and deathly white makeup, his eyes ringed in black and his hair slicked down.
A former insurance salesman, Zawislak was a professional stage magician before joining the television station. He once presided over the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Zawislak gave many performances for charity.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia (DeNardo) Zawislak, a son and four daughters.
Additional Obit information
The Morning Call Allentown, Pennsylvania
October 1, 1979, page 33
HORROR SHOW HOST 'DR. SHOCK', 42
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joseph Zawislak, who as "Dr. Shock" was host to television horror shows in the greater Philadelphia area for nearly 10 years, died Friday of a heart attack. He was 42.
A spokesman for WPHL-TV, Channel 17, said Zawislak, who had a history of heart trouble, was stricken at his home in the city's Roxborough section Thursday night. He was taken to the Medical College of Pennsylvania's intensive care unit, where he died.
Zawislak hosted a three-hour, two segment horror show late Saturday nights called "Mad Theater" and "Horror Theater." He wore a frock coat and deathly white makeup, his eyes ringed in black and his hair slicked down.
A former insurance salesman, Zawislak was a professional stage magician before joining the television station. He once presided over the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Zawislak gave many performances for charity.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia (DeNardo) Zawislak, a son and four daughters.
Magician Joseph Zawislak created a persona based on Roland (with John Zacherle's permission) and hit the Philadelphia airwaves on WPHL-TV in 1970. His first show lasted only 13 weeks but protests brought him back and a cult had begun. He was on three different shows during his reign: Scream-In, Mad Theater and Horror Theater. He also brought on his young daughter, Bubbles, on the air and she grew up along with his fans. Unfortunately, Joe died in 1979 at the young age of 42 years old. Philly fans still hold a spot in their hearts for Dr. Shock and so do we.
Additional Obit information
The Morning Call Allentown, Pennsylvania
October 1, 1979, page 33
HORROR SHOW HOST 'DR. SHOCK', 42
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joseph Zawislak, who as "Dr. Shock" was host to television horror shows in the greater Philadelphia area for nearly 10 years, died Friday of a heart attack. He was 42.
A spokesman for WPHL-TV, Channel 17, said Zawislak, who had a history of heart trouble, was stricken at his home in the city's Roxborough section Thursday night. He was taken to the Medical College of Pennsylvania's intensive care unit, where he died.
Zawislak hosted a three-hour, two segment horror show late Saturday nights called "Mad Theater" and "Horror Theater." He wore a frock coat and deathly white makeup, his eyes ringed in black and his hair slicked down.
A former insurance salesman, Zawislak was a professional stage magician before joining the television station. He once presided over the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Zawislak gave many performances for charity.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia (DeNardo) Zawislak, a son and four daughters.
Additional Obit information
The Morning Call Allentown, Pennsylvania
October 1, 1979, page 33
HORROR SHOW HOST 'DR. SHOCK', 42
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joseph Zawislak, who as "Dr. Shock" was host to television horror shows in the greater Philadelphia area for nearly 10 years, died Friday of a heart attack. He was 42.
A spokesman for WPHL-TV, Channel 17, said Zawislak, who had a history of heart trouble, was stricken at his home in the city's Roxborough section Thursday night. He was taken to the Medical College of Pennsylvania's intensive care unit, where he died.
Zawislak hosted a three-hour, two segment horror show late Saturday nights called "Mad Theater" and "Horror Theater." He wore a frock coat and deathly white makeup, his eyes ringed in black and his hair slicked down.
A former insurance salesman, Zawislak was a professional stage magician before joining the television station. He once presided over the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Zawislak gave many performances for charity.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia (DeNardo) Zawislak, a son and four daughters.
