Joe Caldwell, ‘Dark Shadows’ Writer, Dies at 97

Joe Caldwell, a writer known for his work on the original “Dark Shadows” TV series, died Monday following a stroke. He was 97.

The news was confirmed by Bob Issel, who frequently hosts “Dark Shadows” fan events. “Joe had just signed a handful of his memoirs for me three weeks ago back on June 20th. At that time he was convalescing at a rehab center after having a recent fall,” Issel wrote in his Facebook post.

Caldwell wrote on the ABC daytime serial “Dark Shadows” for 63 episodes. Alongside Ron Sproat, he is credited with co-creating the signature vampire character, Barnabas Collins, who Johnny Depp played in director Tim Burton’s 2012 film “Dark Shadows” — and even earned a mention in the Apple TV hit “Widow’s Bay.”

Additionally, Caldwell earned a credit for writing an episode of “Strange Paradise” and “The Secret Storm,” both of which aired in the early ’70s.

In addition to Burton’s adaptation, Warner Bros. Animation recently announced that it is reanimating the ’60s cult show as an adult animated series. It is currently in development and will blend gothic, horror and supernatural genres.

In 2025, Caldwell published a memoir titled “In The Shadow of the Bridge,” which detailed his experience growing up in Manhattan’s gay bohemian community from the ’50s to the ’70s, as well as his complex relationship to religion.

In addition to his TV writing credits, Caldwell was a published novelist who released titles like “The Pig Did It,” “The Pig Comes to Dinner,” “The Pig Goes to Hog Heaven” and “Lazarus Rising.”