To Space and Back: A Memoir by Mark Goddard
by Doc on Dec.19, 2008, under Books
Dave Berry writes “What made Mark Goddard kidnap a wooden Indian? Why was he arrested for carrying a Colt 45 in Boston? How did he deal with his infant daughter’s disappearance?
“Danger, Danger Will Robinson” is a phrase Mark Goddard often heard in his role as Major Don West in the 1960’s hit television series Lost in Space. During his real life, the phrase he should have heeded was “Danger, Danger Mark Goddard.” This memoir maps Goddard’s roundtrip journey from a small town boy to a TV star and back again recounting humorous anecdotes about co-stars and celebrities like Billy Mumy, Peter Fonda, Buddy Hackett, and Jim Brown. This trip gets bumpy along the way, though, with two failed marriages and a career nosedive before Goddard has the realization that changes his life. Told with humor and candor, To Space and Back gives the reader a roller coaster ride equal to any side trip the Jupiter II took on its way to Alpha Centauri.” Read More for more details.
“\’To Space and Back: A Memoir’ is not about Lost in Space nor is it about Major Don West but about the life and times of the author actor Mark Goddard. Lost in Space fans may lament that there is very little in the book about their favorite fandom but anyone who wants to get to know and enjoy the life story of actor Mark Goddard will really enjoy his book. I found his memories of Hollywood entertaining and the details of his personal life touching. The trials of peaks and valleys and sometimes fleeting success working on television shows clearly took a terrible toll on his marriages and children. When he made the choice to return to school and sought his new calling in teaching the industry and fans lost a great artist contributor but for all the greater good. As fans we only see what is presented to us on the screen or stage. Mark has opened the curtain and taken us behind the scenes to show and share with us what real life drama goes on when the cameras stop rolling.
Dave Berry
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