Mark Goode; TV Producer, Nixon’s Media Consultant

Mark Goode, television producer of such favorites as “Three’s a Crowd” and “The Johnny Cash Show” and the first full-time television advisor in the White House, has died. He was 66.

Goode died Dec. 22 in a Berlin hospital of injuries suffered in a September automobile accident, according to his daughter, Leslie Goode of Philadelphia.

Named a special assistant by President Richard Nixon in 1971, Goode moved into politics through entertainment--with comedian Pat Paulsen. Goode produced the television series called “Pat Paulsen’s Half a Comedy Hour” and went along for the ride when Paulsen made his comic run for president.

Because of his reputation in television news and entertainment, Goode was asked to handle what became a national political event, when Nixon and Gov. Ronald Reagan met in Los Angeles to campaign for U.S. Sen. George Murphy in 1970. Nixon, who had a poor television image, liked Goode’s work and soon named him to handle radio and television for the White House.

“Of course it’s enormously flattering to be asked to do something like that, to walk into being the first person who’s ever done it,” Goode told The Times. “How many people in their lifetimes are presented an opportunity to be, cliche as it may sound, literally a part of the history that’s happening every day?”

Goode stayed with Nixon until early 1973, returning to Los Angeles and entertainment television as Watergate unfolded. He was later pressed into political service for President Gerald R. Ford’s election campaign, several Republican national conventions and the Reagan campaign. He also became a television consultant for Reagan, whom he always described as “the pro” and “a President made for television.”

Goode launched Mark Goode Enterprises in 1981 to produce political and corporate videotapes, industrial shows and special programs.

Born in Steubenville, Ohio, Goode studied speech, radio and television at Northwestern University and served in the U.S. Army’s public information office in La Rochelle, France.

He began his civilian career as a production assistant on the Chicago-based “All-Star Golf” and came to Los Angeles in 1957 to work for ABC. He directed local and network news and special events, daytime game shows, soap operas and prime-time series.

After 10 years with the network, he became a freelance director and producer, specializing in variety, comedy and music programs.

Among the shows Goode produced over the years were “General Hospital,” “Barney Miller,” “The Don Rickles Show,” “The Newlywed Game,” “Queen for a Day,” “The Lawrence Welk Show,” “Shindig,” “The Hollywood Palace” and “The Milton Berle Show.”

His specials included four Academy Awards presentations and shows for Kenny Rogers, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Goode served on the national board of the Directors Guild of America and the Board for International Broadcasting.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra, of Arlington, Va.; three daughters, Jill Malinowski of Centreville, Va., Leslie Goode of Philadelphia and Claudia Muller of Mission Viejo, Calif.; two sisters, Tiby Greenberger of Munster, Ind., and Naomi Denmark of Los Angeles; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private. The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 124 Park St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180.

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