Godwin is a descendant of the author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelly Godwin and her husband, Architect William
Godwin is also a distant cousin of Sir John Gielgud. Godwin was a Professor and Department Chair of Theatre and Fine Arts at King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He has six children, daughter, M. Sheileen Godwin, is the Department Chair of Theatre and Fine Arts at King's College. Sons, James Godwin is an artist, actor, and puppeteer; Patrick is a musician and comedian; and Jack is a chef at a 5 star restaurant in Las Vegas. Daughter Kate is an artist and costume designer and Margaret is a yoga instructor in New York City.