Melissa Goddard

Biography

​Melissa Goddard is an American film producer and screenwriter renowned for her contributions to early 1990s cinema, particularly in the thriller and coming-of-age genres.​

Career Highlights

Goddard's most notable work includes the 1992 film Poison Ivy, starring Drew Barrymore. She conceived the original story and served as an executive producer. The film, directed by Katt Shea, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and, despite a modest box office performance, gained cult status through home video and cable television. Its success led to three sequels, with Goddard continuing her role as executive producer for Poison Ivy II: Lily (1996) and Poison Ivy: The New Seduction (1997).

In 1991, Goddard co-wrote the story and produced Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even, a family comedy-drama. She also held production roles in National Lampoon's Senior Trip (1995) and Final Appeal (1993).​

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Beyond filmmaking, Goddard co-founded A Sense of Home (ASOH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting foster youth transitioning out of the system by providing them with furnished homes and support networks. Her activism extends to serving on the Hollywood Women's Political Action Committee and participating in initiatives like Artists for a Free South Africa and Medical Aid for El Salvador during its civil war.

Personal Background

Melissa Goddard is the daughter of actor Mark Goddard, known for his role as Don West in the television series Lost in Space. She is also a descendant of Robert H. Goddard, the pioneering inventor of the liquid-fueled rocket.​