American radio and television producer who helped develop many successful radio and television game shows, including the early television game show “What’s My Line?” 1950-67.
A graduate of UC Berkeley with a B.A. in 1937, Goodson worked as a disc jockey in San Francisco. In 1939 he moved into the Mutual Broadcasting system as a newscaster and announcer. He moved to New York City in 1941 to work as a freelance announcer. Goodson began his long association with fellow-producer Bill Todman after meeting him in 1941 while they were working on the radio quiz program “Battle of the Boroughs.” In 1946 they started a radio show, “Winner Take All,” launching what would become a game show empire, leading to “Stop the Music” and “Hit the Jackpot,” both in 1948. Goodson and Todman were a creative team for more than four decades, spawning some of the longest-running shows in television history with the debut of “What’s My Line” on 2/02/1950. It was followed by “I’ve Got a Secret,” 1952, “The Price Is Right,” 1956, “To Tell the Truth,” 1956, “Concentration,” 1958, “Password,” 1961 and “The Match Game,” 1962.
In 1990, Goodman was honored with an Emmy award for lifetime achievement and in December 1992 he was selected for 1993 induction into the Hall of Fame of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He set the industry standard for style and excellence and is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the most prolific producer in television history, with a lifetime total of 39, 312 shows or 21, 831.5 hours of production!
Goodson died of cancer on 12/18/1992, Los Angeles, CA.
Link to Wikipedia biography