Castle Rock co-founder dead at 77

The name Glenn Padnick probably does not mean much to many TV fans, but if you are a “Seinfeld” fan, among a host of other hit TV shows, you have Padnick to thank for it.

The co-founder of Castle Rock Entertainment played a huge role in bringing Jerry Seinfeld’s hit TV show into existence.

Sadly, he has passed away at the age of 77.

He’s Gone

According to reports, Padnick died on February 27 due to complications from Erdheim-Chester disease.

This is an extremely rare disease that features the abnormal accumulation of histiocytes, a type of immune cell, in various organs and tissues. The cause of the disease is still not known.

Some of the symptoms of the condition are fatigue, fever, joint pain and stiffness, and bone pain, among others.

Padnick reportedly suffered from the condition for more than two decades.

It is safe to say that Padnick made “Seinfeld” his baby, so to speak, having personally overseen the series for its entire nine-year run. He even had an uncredited appearance in “The Pilot,” a season four episode when Jerry and George try to film their pilot episode for NBC, mimicking the show’s beginnings.

Alan Horn, another co-founder of Castle Rock, stated, “We found ourselves having a phenomenal run with what is unquestionably one of the most famous situation comedies in television, Seinfeld. And he was the point person as president of Castle Rock Television.”

While Castle Rock had struggles later on and was eventually absorbed into Warner Bros., at one point, it was producing hit TV shows and movies like clockwork.

In addition to “Seinfeld,” some of the other TV shows you may know are “Boston Common,” “The Lazarus Man,” “The Single Guy,” and “You’re the One.”

Castle Rock’s movie division was even more productive, touting such hits as “The American President,” “The Bucket List,” “City Slickers,” “A Few Good Men,” “The Green Mile,” “Lord of the Flies,” “The Majestic,” “Misery,” “Needful Things,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” and “When Harry Met Sally.”

Some of the other shows Padnick brought to life during his career as an executive were “Diff’rent Strokes,” “The Facts of Life,” and “Married… with Children.”

I think it is safe to say that Padnick had no problem pushing the envelope and taking risks during his career, and it clearly paid off.

Padnick has been retired from the business since 2003 due to health issues.

Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for bringing these hilarious shows to life!