Rod Serling’s Daughters Speak On ‘The Twilight Zone’ Amid What Would’ve Been His 100th Birthday

Rod Serling, the iconic creator and narrator of The Twilight Zone, would have turned 100 years old on December 25 if not for his untimely passing in 1975 due to a heart attack. Sterling, popular for his thoughtful and revolutionary works, made a great contribution to the development of the science fiction and dystopia genres, leaving a huge impact on television history.

As the world celebrated what would have been the centenary anniversary of the late producer, his two daughters have recently reminisced on their dad’s legacy. They also spoke about their memories of him, most especially how much Christmas meant to him.

Rod Serling’s daughters say their father loved Christmas

In a discussion with PEOPLE, Anne and Jodi Serling revealed that while growing up, they came to understand how significant the holiday season was to their dad. They noted that for their father, Christmas was not just a day of celebration but a season brimming with joy, laughter, and togetherness.

The duo also noted that what seemed to make the season even more special was Serling’s unique connection to the holiday, as he was born on Christmas Day. Anne and Jodi fondly remembered their father’s playful declaration that he was “an unwrapped Christmas gift.”

Anne and Jodi say they didn’t appreciate their father’s work until they were adults

Anne and Jodi shared that it was not until they grew up that they properly paid attention to the exceptional work their father did with The Twilight Zone. Since they were very young when the show first aired on CBS between 1959 and 1964, they did not completely comprehend its greatness.

It was after their father died that they looked back at his work and began to make sense of it. They also revealed that they met individuals who changed their perception towards their late dad, from that of a mere father figure to that of a great creative mind. Through such meetings, they were able to appreciate his work and the impact it had on millions of viewers.