Caleb James Goddard has been the subject of curiosity for decades, largely because of his family ties to New Hollywood. This guide focuses on verifiable information—what reputable sources report about his birth, family background, education, and on-screen/production credits—while honoring the privacy he has chosen throughout his life.
At a glance
- Name: Caleb James Goddard (also credited as Caleb Goddard)
- Born: September 26, 1970 — Los Angeles, California
- Mother: Actress Susan Anspach (1942–2018)
- Father (widely reported): Jack Nicholson
- Adoptive father: Actor Mark Goddard
- Known credits: The Slap Maxwell Story (1988); Guilty as Charged (1991)
Short timeline (verified)
- 1970: Born in Los Angeles.
- Late 1980s–early 1990s: Appears in/works on film & TV projects; period also aligns with his reported time at Georgetown University.
- 2018: Confirms the passing of his mother, Susan Anspach—one of his few public statements.
Family background
Caleb is the son of Susan Anspach, a celebrated actor of the 1970s and 1980s. Media coverage has long linked him to Jack Nicholson as his father. During Caleb’s childhood, Mark Goddard—best known for Lost in Space—married Anspach and adopted Caleb, which is why he uses the surname Goddard. Reputable outlets have discussed the complicated public/private history around paternity; Caleb himself has not made a career out of discussing it, and has largely stayed out of celebrity media.
Education
Directory listings and reporting associate Caleb Goddard with Georgetown University in the early 1990s. Specific academic details are not public—consistent with his low profile—but the timing fits his earliest screen credits.
Film & TV credits
Caleb’s screen record is modest but documented in mainstream databases:
- The Slap Maxwell Story (TV, 1988) — credited onscreen as Caleb Goddard.
- Guilty as Charged (1991) — location/production work listed among the crew credits.
These credits show early professional interest in the industry without a push toward extensive public recognition.
Myths vs. facts
- Myth: There’s a detailed, public social media presence.
Fact: Verified, first-person updates are rare; most information comes from reputable reporting and credits databases. - Myth: His career is defined by high-profile acting roles.
Fact: The verifiable record points to limited on-camera work and behind-the-scenes roles in the late ’80s/early ’90s. - Myth: Every detail of his personal life is public.
Fact: Much remains private by choice.
Privacy & public presence
Caleb rarely gives interviews. One of the few times he appeared in the news cycle was in 2018, when he confirmed his mother’s death to the press. Otherwise, he has consistently favored privacy over publicity—even when stories about his family circulate widely.
FAQs
How old is Caleb James Goddard?
He was born on September 26, 1970.
Is Jack Nicholson his father?
Major outlets have long reported Nicholson as his father, while noting a complicated public history. Caleb has maintained privacy regarding the subject.
Did he act or work in film?
Yes. He is credited on The Slap Maxwell Story (1988) and worked behind the scenes on Guilty as Charged (1991).
Where did he study?
He is associated with Georgetown University in the early 1990s; detailed academic records are not public.
