Bill Bixby

Bill Bixby
Bixby as The Magician, 1973
Born
Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III

(1934-01-22)January 22, 1934
DiedNovember 21, 1993(1993-11-21) (aged 59)
Alma materUniversity of California, Berkeley
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • game-show panellist
Years active1959–1993
TelevisionMy Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Magician, The Incredible Hulk
Spouses
  • (m. 1971; div. 1980)
  • Laura Michaels
    (m. 1990; div. 1991)
  • Judith Kliban
    (m. 1993)
Children1

Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III (January 22, 1934 – November 21, 1993)[1] was an American actor and television director. His career spanned more than three decades, including appearances on stage, in films, and on television series. He is known for his roles in the CBS sitcom My Favorite Martian as Tim O'Hara, in the ABC sitcom The Courtship of Eddie's Father as Tom Corbett, in the NBC crime drama series The Magician as stage Illusionist Anthony Blake, and the CBS science-fiction drama series The Incredible Hulk as Dr. David Banner.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

A fourth-generation Californian of English descent and an only child, Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III was born on January 22, 1934, in San Francisco, California.[4] His father, Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby II, was a store clerk. His mother, Jane (née McFarland) Bixby, was a senior manager at I. Magnin & Co. In 1942, when Bixby was eight years old, his father enlisted in the Navy during World War II and traveled to the South Pacific. While in the seventh grade, Bixby attended Grace Cathedral and sang in the church's choir. In one notable incident, he shot the bishop using a slingshot during a service and was kicked out of the choir. In 1946, his mother encouraged him to take ballroom dance lessons and from there he started dancing all around the city. While dancing, he attended Lowell High School, where he perfected his oratory and dramatic skills as a member of the Lowell Forensic Society. Though he received average grades, he also competed in high-school speech tournaments regionally.[citation needed]

After graduation from high school in 1952, he majored in drama at City College of San Francisco,[5] against his parents' wishes.[2]

During the Korean War, Bixby was drafted shortly after his 18th birthday. Rather than report to the United States Army, Bixby joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve.[6][7][8][9][10] He served primarily in personnel management with Marine Attack Squadron 141 (VMA-141) at Naval Air Station Oakland, and attained the rank of private first class before his 1956 discharge.[11][12][13][14][15]

Later, he attended the University of California, Berkeley, his parents' alma mater, and left just a few credits short of earning a degree. He then moved to Hollywood, California, where he had a string of odd jobs that included bellhop and lifeguard. He organized shows at a resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and in 1959 was hired to work as a model and to do commercial work for General Motors and Chrysler.[1]

Career

[edit]

Beginning acting

[edit]

In 1961, Bixby was in the musical The Boy Friend at the Detroit Civic Theater, returning to Hollywood to make his television debut on an episode of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He became a highly regarded character actor and guest-starred in many television series, including Ben Casey, The Twilight Zone, The Andy Griffith Show, Dr. Kildare, Straightaway, and Hennesey. He also joined the cast of The Joey Bishop Show in 1962. In 1963, he played a sailor with a Napoleon tattoo in the movie Irma La Douce, a romantic comedy starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, directed by Billy Wilder based on the 1956 French musical. During the 1970s, he made guest appearances on television series such as Ironside, Insight, Barbary Coast, The Love Boat, Medical Center, four episodes of Love, American Style, Fantasy Island, and two episodes each of The Streets of San Francisco and Rod Serling's Night Gallery.

My Favorite Martian and other early roles

[edit]
Bixby as Tim O'Hara in My Favorite Martian, when an accident turns Uncle Martin back into a baby (season 2, episode 28)

Bixby took the role of young reporter Tim O'Hara in the 1963 CBS sitcom My Favorite Martian, in which he co-starred with Ray Walston. By 1966, though, high production costs forced the series to come to an end after 107 episodes. After its cancellation, Bixby starred in four movies: Ride Beyond Vengeance, Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding!, and two of Elvis Presley's movies, Clambake and Speedway. He turned down the role as Marlo Thomas's boyfriend in the successful That Girl, though he later guest-starred in the show, and starred in two failed pilots.

The Courtship of Eddie's Father

[edit]

In 1969, Bixby starred in his second high-profile television role, as Tom Corbett in The Courtship of Eddie's Father, a comedy drama on ABC. The series concerned a widowed father raising a young son, managing a major syndicated magazine, and at the same time trying to re-enter the dating scene. This series was in the vein of other 1960s and 1970s sitcoms that dealt with widowerhood, such as The Andy Griffith Show and My Three Sons. Eddie was played by novice actor Brandon Cruz. The pair developed a close rapport that translated to an off-camera friendship, as well. The core cast was rounded out by Academy Award-winning actress Miyoshi Umeki, who played the role of Tom's housekeeper, Mrs. Livingston, James Komack (one of the series' producers) as Norman Tinker, Tom's pseudo-hippie, quirky photographer, and actress Kristina Holland as Tom's secretary, Tina. One episode of the series co-starred Bixby's future wife, Brenda Benet, as one of Tom's girlfriends.

With The Courtship of Eddie's Father co-stars, Brandon Cruz and Miyoshi Umeki

Bixby was nominated for the Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1971. The following year, he won the Parents Without Partners Exemplary Service Award for 1972.

Bixby made his directorial debut on the sitcom in 1970, directing eight episodes. ABC cancelled the sitcom in 1972 at the end of season three.

After the show was cancelled, Bixby and Cruz remained in contact, with Cruz making a guest appearance on Bixby's later series The Incredible Hulk. The death of Bixby's only child, in 1981, drew Bixby and Cruz closer still. The two remained in touch until Bixby's death in 1993. In 1995, Cruz named his own son Lincoln Bixby Cruz.

Brandon Cruz said of the show that developed a professional father-son relationship, compared to that of The Andy Griffith Show, "We dealt with issues that were talked about, but were never brought up on television. Bill wasn't the first actor to portray a single widowed father, but he became one of the popular ones, because of his easy-going way of this crazy little kid." Prior to Bixby's promotion to director, Brandon said, "He was looking for the best dolly grip, along with the boom operator that if something was called specifically and failed, Bill could be easily angry." On the kind of relationship Bill had wanted with his co-star, Brandon also said, "Bill would never speak down to me. Bill treated me as an equal. He made sure that we had a lot of time together, just so he could kinda crawl inside my head and see what actually made a kid tick." Upon the death of Bill's real-life father in 1971, Cruz stated, "He had that type of mentality that the show must go on, thinking it was just a great TV show, after he broke down weeping."[16]

In a 2011 interview with Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith about how Bill Bixby's fame was supposed to posthumously honor him for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Cruz said, "When I found out they were putting this out, I thought, 'It's about time.' Bill Bixby had an amazing body of work, not only Courtship of Eddie's Father, but My Favorite Martian, The Magician, The Incredible Hulk, and so many other things, as an actor, as a director — and he never got an Emmy. He's never been recognized posthumously by the Academy. And he doesn't have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That is criminal.... There are people who have stars that, not to be blunt, but I wouldn't bother spitting on their stars. Bill's talent would take a couple of blocks of stars compared to them. It really demeans the whole thing that Bill is not included."[17]

1973 to 1977

[edit]

In 1973, Bixby starred in The Magician. The series was well liked, but lasted for only one season. An accomplished amateur magician himself, he hosted several TV specials in the mid-1970s which featured other amateur magicians, and was a respected member of the Hollywood magic community, belonging to The Magic Castle, an exclusive club for magicians. During the show's popular, although short-lived, production, Bixby invited a few old friends along to co-star such as Pamela Britton (in her final role), Kristina Holland, and Ralph O'Hara.

Also in 1973, he starred in Steambath, a play by author Bruce Jay Friedman, on PBS with Valerie Perrine and Jose Perez.

Bixby became a popular game-show panelist, appearing mostly on Password and The Hollywood Squares. He was also a panelist on the 1974 revival of Masquerade Party, which was hosted by Richard Dawson. He had also appeared with Dawson on Cop-Out, an unsold 1972 pilot produced by Chuck Barris, and on the 1972 revival of I've Got a Secret. In 1974–1975, he directed four episodes of the eighth season of Mannix, guest-starring as Mannix's friend-turned-villain in one of the episodes.

In 1975, he co-starred with Tim Conway and Don Knotts in the Disney movie The Apple Dumpling Gang, which was well received by the public.

Returning to television, Bixby worked with Susan Blakely on Rich Man, Poor Man, a highly successful television miniseries in 1976. He played a daredevil stunt pilot in an episode of the short-lived 1976 CBS adventure series Spencer's Pilots, starring Gene Evans. In 1977, he co-starred in the pilot for the television series Fantasy Island; starred in "No Way Out", the final episode of the NBC anthology series Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected (known in the United Kingdom as Twist in the Tale);[18] and appeared with Donna Mills, Richard Jaeckel, and William Shatner in the last episode, "The Scarlet Ribbon", of NBC's Western series The Oregon Trail, starring Rod Taylor and Andrew Stevens. Bixby directed two episodes of The Oregon Trail.

In 1976, he was honored with two Emmy Award nominations, one for Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in Drama or Comedy for The Streets of San Francisco and the other for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Comedy or Drama Series for Rich Man, Poor Man.

Bixby hosted Once Upon a Classic on PBS from 1976 to 1980.

The Incredible Hulk

[edit]
Bixby as Dr. David Banner in the 1977 pilot for the Incredible Hulk television series.

Bixby starred in the role of Dr. David Banner in the pilot movie The Incredible Hulk, based on the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Marvel characters. Kenneth Johnson, the creator, director, and writer, said that Bixby was his only choice to play the part.[19] When Bixby was offered the role, he declined it – until he read the script and discussed it with Johnson.[20] The success of the pilot (coupled with some theatrical releases of the film in Europe) convinced CBS to turn it into a weekly series, which began airing in the spring of 1978. The pilot also starred Susan Sullivan as Dr. Elaina Marks, who tries to help the conflicted and widowed Dr. Banner overcome his "problem" and falls in love with him in the process. In a retrospective on The Incredible Hulk, Glenn Greenberg declared Bixby's performance to be the series' "foremost" strength, elaborating that he "masterfully conveyed the profound loneliness and tragedy of Dr. Banner while also bringing to the role an abundance of warmth, intelligence, humor, nobility, likability, and above all else, humanity."[21]

During the series' run, Bixby invited two of his longtime friends, Ray Walston and Brandon Cruz, to guest-star with him in different episodes of the series. He also worked on the series with his friend, movie actress Mariette Hartley, who later starred with Bixby in his final series, Goodnight, Beantown, in 1983. Hartley appears in the well-regarded double-length episode "Married",[21] and subsequently won an Emmy Award for her guest appearance. Future star Loni Anderson also guest-starred with Bixby during the first season. Bixby directed one episode of the series, "Bring Me the Head of the Hulk", in 1980 (original airdate: January 9, 1981). The series was cancelled after the following season, but leftover episodes aired as late as the next June. Bixby later executive-produced and reprised the role in three television movies – The Incredible Hulk Returns, The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, and The Death of the Incredible Hulk – the last two of which he also directed, and the first of which he has been said to have unofficially co-directed.[21]

Later work

[edit]

Bixby was executive producer and co-star of the short-lived sitcom Goodnight, Beantown (1983–84). He also directed three episodes of the series. During the same time, Bixby directed several episodes of another short-lived television series, Wizards and Warriors, which aired in 1983. From 1982 to 1984, he hosted a documentary series for Nickelodeon entitled Against the Odds. The series, which was cancelled after only two seasons, consists of short biographies of famous people throughout history. From 1986 to 1987, he hosted the syndicated weekday anthology series True Confessions. In 1987, he directed eight episodes of the satirical police sitcom Sledge Hammer!, including the episode "Hammer Hits the Rock" in season two, where he made an uncredited appearance as Zeke.

Bixby hosted two specials regarding Elvis conspiracy theories and his alleged sightings: The Elvis Files (1991)[22] and The Elvis Conspiracy (1992).[23]

Bixby made his last acting appearance in 1992, guest-starring in the television movie Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder.

He finished his career by directing 30 episodes (in seasons two and three) of the NBC sitcom Blossom.[24]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Bixby's first marriage was to actress Brenda Benet.[25] They were married in 1971, and she gave birth to their son, Christopher, in September 1974. They divorced in 1980. A few months later, in March 1981, six-year-old Christopher died while on a skiing vacation at Mammoth Lakes with Benet. He went into cardiac arrest after doctors inserted a breathing tube when he suffered acute epiglottitis.[26] Benet committed suicide the following year.[27]

Bixby met Laura Michaels, who had worked on the set of one of his Hulk movies, in 1989. They married a year later in Hawaii. In early 1991, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent treatment.[28][29] He was divorced in the same year.[30]

In late 1992, friends introduced Bixby to the artist Judith Kliban, widow of the cartoonist B. Kliban. He married her in October 1993.[31]

In early 1993, after rumors began circulating about his health, Bixby went public with his illness, making several appearances on shows such as Entertainment Tonight, Today, and Good Morning America, among others.[32]

On November 21, 1993, six days after his final assignment on Blossom, Bixby died of complications from prostate cancer in Century City, Los Angeles, California. He was 59 years old.[33]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1962 Lonely Are the Brave Airman in Helicopter Billy Mims[34]
1963 Irma la Douce Tattooed Sailor
1963 Under the Yum Yum Tree Track Team Coach Uncredited
1966 Ride Beyond Vengeance Johnsy Boy Hood
1967 Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding! Dick Bender
1967 Clambake James J. Jamison III
1968 Speedway Kenny Donford
1975 The Apple Dumpling Gang Russell Donovan
1977 The Kentucky Fried Movie Himself (segment "Headache Clinic")

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1961 Hennesey Intern Episode: "Welcome Home, Dr. Blair"
1961 Straightaway unknown role Episode: "The Tin Caesar"
1961 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Roger Episode: "The Gigolo"
1961 Ben Casey Intern at Party Episode: "A Few Brief Lines for Dave"
1961 Bachelor Father Paul Episode: "The Law and Kelly Gregg"
1961 Checkmate Pete Canaday Episode: "To the Best of My Recollection"
1961 Make Room for Daddy Joey Episode: "Danny Weaves a Web"
1961 Make Room for Daddy Mack Episode: "Danny and Durante"
1962 The Andy Griffith Show Ronald Bailey Episode: "Bailey's Bad Boy"
1962 Death Valley Days Kinney Episode: "Justice at Jackson Creek"
1962 Follow the Sun Jason Wylie Episode: "Chalk One Up for Johnny"
1962 The Joey Bishop Show Charles Raymond recurring role (6 episodes)
1962 Alcoa Premiere Bruce 2 episodes
– "Once a Bachelor"
– "The Voice of Charlie Pont"
1962 Dr. Kildare Dr. John Grant Episode: "The Soul Killer"
1963 The Twilight Zone OOD Smith Episode: "The Thirty-Fathom Grave"
1963 The Eleventh Hour Art Episode: "Try to Keep Alive Until Next Tuesday"
1963 Dr. Kildare Dr. Ben Mollenhour Episode: "The Balance and the Crucible"
1963 Make Room for Daddy Tom Bradley, the Rival Episode: "Jose's Rival"
1963 The Lieutenant Private Stu Sallaway Episode: "A Million Miles from Clary"
1963–1966 My Favorite Martian Tim O'Hara series regular (107 episodes)
1964–1965 Valentine's Day Carl Pierce recurring role (9 episodes)
1966 Combat! Kline Episode: "The Losers"
1966–1974 Hollywood Squares Himself (Center Square/Panelist) series regular (114 episodes)
1967 Iron Horse Dan Gilmore Episode: "Appointment with Epitaph"
1967 That Girl Harry Banner Episode: "The Apartment"
1967 Dream Girl of '67 Himself (Bachelor Judge) recurring role (10 episodes)
1968 The Danny Thomas Hour David Episode: "Two for Penny"
1968 It Takes a Thief George Palmer Episode: "To Steal a Battleship"
1968 The Ghost & Mrs. Muir Paul Wilkie Episode: "The Ghost Hunter"
1968 Ironside Edward Neufane Episode: "Sergeant Mike"
1968 Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) recurring role (3 episodes)
1969–1971 Insight Johnny 2 episodes
– "The Poker Game" (1969)
– "The War of the Eggs" (1971)
1969 Love, American Style Darian Patrick Episode: "Love and the Legal Agreement"
1969 Win with the Stars Himself (Celebrity Contestant) Episode: "Rosemary Clooney/Bill Bixby"
1969 Stump the Stars Himself (Panelist) Episode: "09.29.1969"
1969–1972 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Tom Corbett series regular (73 episodes)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1971)
1970 Love, American Style Alan Episode: "Love and the Eskimo"
1970 Ironside Tom Dayton Episode: "Tom Dayton Is Loose Among Us"
1970 It Takes Two Himself Episode: "05.04.1970"
1970 The Dating Game Himself (Panelist) Episode: "09.07.1970"
1971 Big Fish, Little Fish Ronnie Johnson Television film
1971 Congratulations, It's a Boy! Johnny Gaines Television film
1971–1972 Love, American Style Kenny Frasier 2 episodes
– "Love and the Rug"
– "Love and the Overnight Guests"
1971–1974 Password All-Stars Himself (Celebrity Contestant) recurring role (7 episodes)
1972 Night Gallery Noel / Bruce Tarrady 2 episodes
– "Last Rites for a Dead Druid"
– "The Return of the Sorcerer"
1972 Search Mark Elliott Episode: "The Adonis File"
1972 The Couple Takes a Wife Jeff Hamilton Television film
1972 Medical Center Dr. Hurst Episode: "Pressure Point"
1973 Barnaby Jones Alex Chandler Episode: "To Denise, with Love and Murder"
1973 Steambath Tandy Television film
1973 Shirts/Skins Teddy Bush Television film
1973–1974 The Magician Anthony Blake / Anthony Dorian series regular (22 episodes)
1974 Rex Harrison Presents Stories of Love William Television film
1974 Ironside Dr. Gallin Episode: "Raise the Devil"
1974 The Streets of San Francisco Jerry Schilling Episode: "Target: Red"
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
1975 Mannix Tony Elliott Episode: "The Empty Tower"
1975 Barbary Coast Philippe Despard Episode: "The Barbary Coast"
1976 The Streets of San Francisco Eric Doyle Episode: "Police Buff"
1976 Rich Man, Poor Man Willie Abbott Television miniseries (4 episodes)
– "Part II: Chapters 3 and 4"
– "Part III: Chapter 5"
– "Part IV: Chapter 6"
– Part VI: Chapter 8"
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
1976 Spencer's Pilots Philo McGraw Episode: "Pilot"
1976 The Invasion of Johnson County Sam Lowell Television film
1976 The Great Houdini Reverend Ford Television film
1976 Once Upon a Classic Himself (Host) series regular (4 episodes)
Nominated—Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Children's Program (1981)
1977 Fantasy Island Arnold Greenwood Episode: "Pilot"
1977 Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected Lieutenant Commander John Kelty Episode: "No Way Out"
1977 Black Market Baby Herbert Freemont Television film
1977 The Love Boat John Ballard Episode: "Message for Maureen/Gotcha/Acapulco Connection"
1977 The Oregon Trail Fred F. Mason Episode: "The Scarlet Ribbon"
1977–1982 The Incredible Hulk David Banner series regular (82 episodes)
TV Land Award for Character You REALLY Don't Want to Make Angry (2008)
1978 Once Upon a Classic Himself (Host) Episode: "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"
1982 Murder Is Easy Professor Luke Williams Television film
1982 The Book of Lists Himself (Host) unknown episodes
1982 I've Had It Up to Here unknown role Television film
1983–1984 Goodnight, Beantown Matt Cassidy series regular (18 episodes)
1985 International Airport Harvey Johnson Television film
1986 Sin of Innocence David McGary Television film
1986 True Confessions Himself (Host) series regular (7 episodes)
1987 J.J. Starbuck Donald Iskin Episode: "Pilot"
1987 Sledge Hammer! Zeke Episode: "Hammer Hits the Rock"
1988 The Incredible Hulk Returns David Banner Television film
1989 The Trial of the Incredible Hulk David Banner Television film
1990 The Death of the Incredible Hulk David Banner Television film
1991 An American Story Himself Television special
1992 Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder Nick Osborne Television film
1993 Blossom Cop (voice) Episode: "Blossom's Dilemma"

Production credits

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Contribution Notes
1970–1972 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Director Director (8 episodes)
– "Gifts Are for Giving" (1970)
– "Two's Company" (1971)
– "Happy Birthday to You" (1971)
– "A Brave at Natchanoomi" (1971)
– "The Karate Story" (1972)
– "The Investors" (1972)
– "In the Eye of the Beholder" (1972)
– "Time for a Change" (1972)
1972–1973 Room 222 Director Director (2 episodes)
– "Elizabeth Brown Is Failing" (1972)
– "The Noon Goon" (1973)
1974 The Magician Director Episode: "The Illusion of the Evil Spikes"
1975 Mannix Director Director (4 episodes)
– "A Word Called Courage"
– "A Ransom for Yesterday"
– "The Empty Tower"
– "Hardball"
1975 Barbary Coast Director Director (2 episodes)
– "The Barbary Coast"
– "Jesse Who?"
1975 Kate McShane Director Episode: "God at $15,732 a Year"
1976 Ber D'Angelo/Superstar Director Episode: "A Noise in the Streets"
1976 Spencer's Pilots Director Director (2 episodes)
– "The Drone"
– "The Hunted"
1976–1977 Rich Man, Poor Man — Book II Director Director (2 episodes)
– "Chapter III (1976)
– "Chapter XVIII" (1977)
Nominated—Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series (1977)
1977 Charlie's Angels Director Episode: "Dirty Business"
1977 The Oregon Trail Director Episode: "The Scarlet Ribbon"
1978 Three on a Date Director Television film
1978 The Many Loves of Arthur Director Television film
1981 The Incredible Hulk Director Episode: "Bring Me the Head of the Hulk"
1981–1982 Mr. Merlin Director Director (5 episodes)
– "The Cloning of the Green" (1981)
– "The Two Faces of Zac" (1981)
– "Take My Tonsils...Please!" (1981)
– "Change of Venue" (1982)
– "I Was a Teenage Loser" (1982)
1982 Herbie, the Love Bug Director Director (3 episodes)
– "My House Is Your House"
– "Calling Doctor Herbie"
– "Herbie the Third"
1983 Wizards and Warriors Director Director (3 episodes)
– "The Unicorn of Death"
– "Night of Terror"
– "Skies of Death"
1983–1984 Goodnight, Beantown Director/Executive Producer Director (3 episodes)
– "Hooking for Mr. Goodbar" (1983)
– "A Felon Needs a Girl" (1983); also Executive Producer
– "Peace on Earth"
Executive Producer (2 episodes)
– "An Old Flame Flickers" (1984)
1983 The Best of Times Director Television pilot
1984 W*A*L*T*E*R Director Television pilot
1984 Dreams Director/Producer Director (5 episodes)
– "Kiss Me Red"; also Producer
– "Boys Are the Best"; also Producer
– "Working Life"; also Producer
– "Stuttering"; also Producer
– "Suspicion"; also Producer
Executive Producer (12 episodes)
– "Friends"
– "Fortune and Fame"
– "Alone"
– "Head Over Heels"
– "Rusted Dreams"
– "Tears in the Night"
– "The Birthday Party"
1985 Rockhopper Director Television film
1985 I Had Three Wives Director Director (3 episodes)
– "You and I Know"
– " 'Til Death Do Us Part"
– "Bedtime Stories"
– "Butterfly Murder"
– "Runaround Sue"
1986 Better Days Director Director (3 episodes)
– "Cheaters Never Win"
– "Ground Rules"
– "Never Blow Up the World"
1987–1988 Sledge Hammer! Director Director (8 episodes)
– "Play It Again Sledge" (1987)
– "Death a Few Salesmen" (1987)
– "Hammer Hits the Rock" (1987)
– "The Last of the Red Hot Vampires" (1987)
– "Icebreaker" (1987)
– "Sledge, Rattle 'n' Roll" (1988)
– "It Happened What Night?" (1988)
– "Here's to You, Mrs. Hammer" (1988)
1988 The Incredible Hulk Returns Director/Executive Producer Television film
1988 Some Kinda Woman Director Television film
1988 Murphy's Law Director Director (2 episodes)
– "Where Are My Socks and Other Mysteries of Love"
– "Do Someone a Favor and It Becomes Your Job"
1989 The Trial of the Incredible Hulk Director/Executive Producer Television film
1989 The Nutt House Director Episode: "The Accidental Groom"
1990 The Death of the Incredible Hulk Director/Executive Producer Television film
1990 Ferris Bueller Director Director (2 episodes)
– "Behind Every Dirtbag"
– "Baby You Can't Drive My Car"
1991 Sons and Daughters Director Episode: "Melanie"
1991 Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind Director Television film
1991 Man of the People Director Episode: "Sleeping with the Enemy"
1991 Baby of the Bride Director Television film
1992–1994 Blossom Director Director (30 episodes)
– "Runaway" (1992)
– "Dear Mom" (1992)
– "What Price Love?" (1992)
– "The Joey Chronicles" (1992)
– "Kids" (1992)
– "Only When I Laugh" (1992)
– "I Killed Chico Barranca" (1992)
– "All Hallows Eve" (1992)
– "The Making of the President" (1992)
– "My Girl" (1992)
– "The Frat Party" (1992)
– "Losing Your...Religion" (1992)
– "Ruby" (1992)
– "Time" (1993)
– "Mystery Train" (1993)
– "The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men" (1993)
– "All Dressed Up" (1993)
– "You Did What?" (1993)
– "Sitcom" (1993)
– "Hunger" (1993)
– "Paris" (1993)
– "Transitions" (1993)
– "Kiss and Tell" (1993)
– "Six and Sonny" (1993)
– "Blossom's Dilemma" (1993)
– "The Fifty-Minute Hour" (1993)
– "True Romance" (1993)
– "Let's Talk About Sex" (1993)
– "Getting Lucky" (1994)
– "Meat" (1994)
1993 The Woman Who Loved Elvis Director Television film

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hayward, Anthony (November 24, 1993). "Obituary: Bill Bixby". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Bill Bixby, TV Actor, Dies at 59; Starred in 3 Long-Running Series". The New York Times. November 23, 1993. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  3. ^ Oliver, Myrna (November 23, 1993). "Bill Bixby, Star of TV's 'Incredible Hulk,' Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  4. ^ Roberts, Jerry (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Volume 1. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 44. ISBN 9780810861381.
  5. ^ Gross, Ed (February 2, 2024). "Bill Bixby: The TV Icon's Biographer and Colleagues Share the Secret Side of 'The Incredible Hulk' Star (EXCLUSIVE)". Woman's World. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  6. ^ U.S. Marine Corps (January 27, 1952). "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, entry for Wilfred B. Bixby". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  7. ^ U.S. Marine Corps (July 15, 1952). "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, entry for Wilfred B. Bixby". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  8. ^ U.S. Marine Corps (April 1, 1953). "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, entry for Wilfred B. Bixby". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  9. ^ U.S. Marine Corps (July 23, 1953). "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, entry for Wilfred B. Bixby". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  10. ^ U.S. Marine Corps (July 15, 1954). "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, entry for Wilfred B. Bixby". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  11. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, January 1952 entry for Wilfred B. Bixby".
  12. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, July 1952 entry for Wilfred B. Bixby".
  13. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, April 1953 entry for Wilfred B. Bixby".
  14. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, July 1953 entry for Wilfred B. Bixby".
  15. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958, July 1954 entry for Wilfred B. Bixby".
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  34. ^ Credits
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