"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" Comedy Writer Hal Goodman 1997 Westwood Village Cemetery

Manhattan born comedy writer and monologuist Hal Goodman (May 9, 1915 - September 3, 1997) wrote monologues for multiple entertainers including Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Red Skelton, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Steve Allen, Imogene Coca, Carol Burnett, Jackie Gleason, Julie Andrews, Johnny Carson, and David Letterman.

Hal Goodman wrote two episodes of the 1950s pioneering TV cartoon series "Crusader Rabbit."

Goodman met Johnny Carson in 1953 when the future host of “The Tonight Show” first came to Los Angeles and when Goodman was already a veteran Bob Hope writer. 

Goodman created and produced the “Margie” (1961-1962) TV series and also wrote an episode.

With his longtime writing partner, Larry Klein, Goodman was nominated for eight Emmys and won twice--for episodes of “The Jack Benny Show” in 1959 and “The Flip Wilson Show” in 1971. 

In 1965, Goodman and Klein wrote a photo book "It's A Dam Dam World" featuring troll dolls. 

Hal Goodman wrote the story for the 1964 western INVITATION TO A GUNFIGHTER starring Yul Brynner and George Segal.

Not only did Goodman write numerous monologues for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," but worked on Carson's monologues for three Academy Awards shows. 

Hal Goodman died on September 3, 1997 in his Los Angeles, California home. His survivors include his wife, Natalie; daughters Elisa and Diane; a brother, Allan Grant; and two granddaughters. His ashes have been scattered in the Westwood Village Memorial Park's Rose Garden.