He was known to have had intimate long-term relationships with at least two men and was mentioned multiple times in Christopher Isherwood's diaries.
[5] His first known homosexual relationship was with the actor David Rollins (1907-1997), who he was living with as early April 1937, when they listed the same address in New York City when they traveled together to Acapulco, Mexico.
At that time, Rollins occupation was cited as a dog fancier at a kennel, and Goodwin was listed as unemployed.
[7] In October 1940 they both listed the same Manhattan address in their registration for the draft during World War II.
[9] It is unknown when that relationship ended, but Goodwin's 1994 obituary listed Anthony P. Russo as his long-time friend and companion, with no reference to Rollins.