Angela Cartwright as Penny Robinson, Mark Goddard as Don West, Marta Kristen as Judy Robinson, Bob May as the robot, Jonathan Harris as Zachary Smith, June Lockhart as Maureen Robinson, Guy Williams as John Robinson, and Billy Mumy as Will Robinson, Lost in Space {image via CBS}

American actor Mark Goddard, best known for playing Major Don West in Lost in Space has died at the age of 87. He was born Charles Harvey Goddard July 24, 1936, in Lowell, Massachusetts. He died October 10, 2023 in Hingham, Massachusetts.

His friend and former co-star, actor/singer Bill Mumy posted this poignant announcement:

Bill Mumy and Mark Goddard {image via CBS}

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“I hate writing this.

R.I.P. to Mark Goddard. A truly beloved friend and brother to me for 59 years. I knew this was coming for the past few months. Shortly after a great phone chat he and I had on his 87th birthday in late July, I became aware that I would most likely never see or speak with him again.

The last words we exchanged were “I love you.”

Mark’s “real” name was Charles Harvey. Mine is Charles William. We called each other by those birth names often. We also called each other “Captain Panther” and “Fox” based on the crude childhood comic books I wrote and drew in my spare time while filming Lost in Space. He and I had a lot of great memorable times together during the three years of filming the series. We got into some pretty goofy trouble.

Mark was a truly fine actor. Naturally gifted as well as trained. I know he sometimes felt constricted by the campy frame that LIS constrained him within, but he also embraced and loved it.

Mark was a sports nut. He passionately followed his Boston teams. He was a die hard Celtics fan. I’m a die hard Lakers fan. We teased each other about that classic rivalry and we both had great respect for many of the players on the teams we rooted against.

He was ridiculously handsome and eternally boyish. Mark was very funny and spontaneous. He enjoyed having a good time.

My deepest condolences and love to Mark’s amazing and strong wife Evelyn and his wonderful children, Melissa, (Missy), Michael, Caleb and John.

There’s a part of me that envisions him having a martini in Heaven right now with Jonathan Harris, Kevin Burns, Guy Williams and other comrades who left this world of woe before him. There’s a part of me that believes he’s in a better place now. A much better place.

But I still hate writing this. ??????“

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Goddard died from pulmonary fibrosis. In addition to Lost in Space, he co-starred in Johnny Ringo as Deputy Cully. He was a guest star in several westerns: The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, The Rebel,and Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theatre. He played Derrick Barrington on General Hospital and Ted Clayton in One Life to Live. He co-starred as detective Chris Ballard on The Detectives.

Mark Goddard & Tuesday Weld, Zane Grey Theatre, {image via CBS}

Mark Goddard proved it is never too late to go back to school. After high school, he attended College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, New York. He then went to California to pursue an acting career. After thirty years, he went back to school. He earned a master’s degree in education at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. After graduation, he embarked on a new career as a special education and drama teacher at F.L. Chamberlain School in Middleboro, Massachusetts. It was at Bridgewater State University that he met the woman who would become his third wife, English professor Evelyn Pezzulich. His first wife was  Marcia Rogers. They were married from 1960 until 1968. His second wife was actress Susan Anspach (Jenny in Disney’s The Devil and Max Devlin), (Katherine in Five Easy Pieces). They were married from 1970 to 1978. Goddard and his third wife, Professor Pezzulich were together thirty-three years, from 1990 to 2023. Mark Goddard was a distant cousin of the great Robert H. Goddard (1882 – 1945). According to Wikipedia, Mark Goddard had three children, but Bill Mumy listed four. Mumy knew Goddard better than the editors of Wikipedia did. Our condolences to his family and friends.

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Susan Macdonald
Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress ”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.