rofessional television and radio personality, William “Bill” Cardille, has been a voice in broadcasting since the 1950’s. Despite the longevity of his prolific career, he will best be remembered for his tenure as horror host, “Chilly Billy,” via Pennsylvania’s “Chiller Theatre!”
Like many commercial TV horror hosts, what began as “voice-over” work eventually led to a “Live” performance. Unlike many of his peers, however, Chilly Billy chose not to adopt a monstrous alter ego in favor of remaining a mere human – in this case dressed in formal attire. Over his twenty year reign, he would surround himself with an assortment of creepy characters such as “Terminal Stare,” “Captain Bad,” “Georgette the Fudge-maker,” “Maurice the Matchmaker,” “Norman the Castle Keeper,” and “Stefan the Castle Prankster.” As a sign of the times, Chilly Billy would open his show by lighting himself a cigarette and close with the words “Good night and sleep warm!”
Though many horror hosts succumbed to the “not ready for prime-time” players of “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1970’s, so popular was Chilly Billy that he would successfully prevent them from airing in his broadcast region for four years! The show ran from 1963-1983, garnering many influential fans along the way. Horror effects maestro, Tom Savini, was not only a fan of the show but had also contributed his skills behind the scenes. During the filming of his iconic “Night of the Living Dead,” the godfather of zombies, George Romero, would also become a fan and later make a guest appearance on the show. Further cementing the relations between Chilly Billy and the world of Romero’s zombies, would be Cardille’s daughter, Lori, playing the lone female character in 1985’s DAY OF THE DEAD.
Cardille continues to work in radio while also making public appearances. He’s proud of his horror host past and, despite his moniker, receives his fans warmly. In March 2012, his beloved character will be inducted into The Horror Host Hall of Fame where he will stand side-by-side with his fellow classic hosts – professional pioneers who ingratiated many of us to the genre we love well.
