Posted on 10/13/2023 12:59:45 PM PDT by Borges
Actor Mark Goddard, known as Major Don West on all 84 episodes of the classic TV series "Lost in Space," has died at 87.
His wife, Evelyn, wrote on social media, "I’m so sorry to tell you that my wonderful husband passed away on October 10th. Several days after celebrating his 87th birthday [on July 24], he was hospitalized with pneumonia. We were hopeful when he was transferred to a rehabilitation center, but then doctors discovered he was in the final stages of pulmonary fibrosis for which there is no cure."
"He received excellent care at the beautiful Pat Roche Hospice Home," she went on, "and was able to die peacefully and with dignity. His children and I had the chance to express our love and say our goodbyes. I’ll never know how I deserved to spend 33 years with such a loving, gentle, handsome man who made me laugh so often."
Goddard's "Lost in Space" co-star, former child actor Billy Mumy, wrote, "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.'"
Goddard, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, was a star athlete in high school, but went into acting in the late '50s. In 1959, he made his TV debut as a regular on the series "Johnny Ringo" (1959-1960).
Other early credits include "The Joan Crawford Show" (1959), "The DuPont Show with June Allyson" (1960), and "Zane Grey Theatre" (1960).
After "Johnny Ringo," he played Chris Ballard on "The Detectives" from 1960-1962, appeared on his mentor Chuck Connors' series "The Rifleman" twice (1969 & 1962), and made guest appearances on many of the top shows of the era: "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1964), "Gunsmoke" (1964), "Perry Mason" (1963 & 1965), "The Fugitive" (1965), and as a regular on "Many Happy Returns" (1964-1965).
Rest in peace.
I was just watching an episode of LIS a few days ago
Oh, I remember him. He was the younger of the two men in charge on their space mission. He always did seem to have a good sense of humor, and never took himself or the series too seriously. He told Dr. Smith off a few times, when Smith became to pushy.
All that, and he was really cute.
RIP “Don”.
Loved Lost in Space as a kid. Rest in peace.
They could have spared themselves a lot of headaches by jettisoning Dr. Smith out the garbage chute in the second episode.
RIP. I remember Guy Williams died a long time ago of a brain aneurysm ago when Reagan was still in office.
He was all up close to the Robinson’s older daughter.
His character always wanted to kick Dr.Smith’s arse but everyone always stopped him, and I dunno why. Just once! LOL
"WHOOAA!!!Oh the pain! the pain!"
Something like that was the original plan. Dr Smith wasn’t supposed to last long. But instead he became the breakout star of the show, much to the dismay of the rest of the cast (except for Bill Mumy).
That, I didn’t know. America was one of my favorite bands back at that time. Maybe Billy was the real ‘Horse With No Name’.
Quite a few years ago now I went to a signing by her (Marta Kristen) and Angela Cartright. Marta had aged gracefully.
The series needed him as a heel. You could tell he was a theater actor. He over-dramatized everything which was the beauty of the character
Little know fact: Goddard dated Goldie Hawn for 2 years or so in the late 60s, before she because a big star.
Me too. It’s unwatchable now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.