DAYTON — Barry Hobart, best known as Dayton horror host Dr. Creep, is hospitalized in a coma, according to his agent and friend, Rick Martin.

Hobart, 68, suffered a series of massive strokes in December, Martin said. He was moved from the Franklin Ridge Healthcare Center in Franklin to an area hospital.

“We are just in waiting mode right now,” Martin said. “It’s been very rough.”

Martin declined to name the hospital or comment further on Hobart’s condition, citing privacy issues.

As Dr. Creep, Hobart became a local icon during the 1970s and ’80s as the host of WKEF-TV Channel 22’s “Shock Theatre” and co-host of “Clubhouse 22.” He introduced the character in January 1972 while working as a master control operator at Channel 22.

“Barry/Dr. Creep raised generations of kids,” Martin said.

Hobart had been at the Franklin Ridge Healthcare Center since April 2010 because of leg and breathing issues.

Despite being in a wheelchair, Hobart made appearances as Dr. Creep in October at Foy’s Halloween Stores in Fairborn. In November, he appeared as a guest of honor at the HorrorHound Weekend event in Cincinnati.

“He had a wonderful October,” Martin said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.