Charles William Goddard (1879–1951) was an American journalist, playwright, author, and screenwriter who made significant contributions to both the stage and early cinema. Active during the early decades of the twentieth century, Goddard established a versatile career that spanned print journalism, theatrical writing, and the emerging medium of motion pictures.
Between 1913 and 1921, Goddard achieved widespread recognition for his work on Broadway. During this period, he collaborated closely with fellow writer Paul Dickey, co-authoring a series of successful theatrical productions. Despite his achievements on the stage, Goddard is perhaps most enduringly remembered for his contributions to early cinema, particularly his work writing the iconic silent movie serial The Perils of Pauline starring actress Pearl White.
