Bill Bixby remains one of the most respected and admired figures in American television history. Best known for his performances in My Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, and The Incredible Hulk, Bixby built a career defined by professionalism, versatility, and consistency. Over more than three decades in the entertainment industry, he earned recognition not only as an actor but also as a television director whose work influenced many successful productions.
Born Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III on January 22, 1934, in San Francisco, California, Bill Bixby developed an early interest in communication and performance. His contributions to television continue to be recognized decades after his passing, with his work frequently revisited by audiences through streaming services and classic television programming.
Early Life and Education
Bill Bixby grew up in San Francisco and attended Lowell High School, one of the city’s most academically recognized institutions. Teachers and classmates recalled him as articulate and engaged, qualities that later supported his work in front of the camera.
After graduating from high school, Bixby enrolled at City College of San Francisco and later attended the University of California, Berkeley. Although he demonstrated academic promise, he ultimately chose to leave formal education to pursue a career in entertainment. This decision aligned with a path taken by many performers of his generation who began their careers through modeling, commercial work, and minor television appearances.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Bixby worked in advertising and appeared in television commercials. These early opportunities provided practical experience and industry exposure, allowing him to transition gradually into more prominent acting roles.
Breakthrough Role in My Favorite Martian
Bixby’s career breakthrough came in 1963 when he was cast as Tim O’Hara in the CBS sitcom My Favorite Martian. The series, which ran for three seasons until 1966, featured Bixby as a journalist who befriends a Martian portrayed by Ray Walston. The program became popular with family audiences and helped establish Bixby as a recognizable television personality.
Television historians have often noted that Bixby’s performance brought balance to the series. While the premise involved science fiction elements, his portrayal of Tim O’Hara grounded the show in relatable human emotion. This ability to combine sincerity with light comedy became one of his most recognizable strengths.
Continued Success in Family and Drama Television
Following My Favorite Martian, Bixby expanded his reputation with another successful series, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1969–1972). In the program, he played Tom Corbett, a widowed magazine publisher raising his young son. The show addressed themes of family, responsibility, and emotional growth in a way that appealed to both adults and younger viewers.
His performance in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father earned him critical recognition, including multiple Emmy Award nominations. Television critics frequently highlighted his ability to portray warmth and emotional authenticity, characteristics that strengthened his standing as a reliable lead actor for character-driven roles.
In 1973, Bixby starred in The Magician, a drama series in which he portrayed Anthony Blake, a stage illusionist who used his skills to help others. Although the series ran for only one season, it developed a loyal audience and further demonstrated Bixby’s range beyond family sitcoms.
Defining Role: Dr. David Banner in The Incredible Hulk
For many viewers worldwide, Bill Bixby is most closely associated with his portrayal of Dr. David Banner in the television series The Incredible Hulk, which aired from 1978 to 1982. The series, based on the Marvel Comics character, explored the story of a scientist searching for a cure to a condition that caused him to transform under extreme emotional stress.
Bixby’s performance was widely praised for its emotional depth. Rather than focusing on spectacle, his portrayal emphasized the character’s humanity, intellect, and moral conscience. Television critics have often credited Bixby with providing the emotional foundation that helped the series achieve long-term popularity.
After the original series concluded, Bixby returned to the role in several made-for-television films, including The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) and The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990). He also served as a director on some of these productions, further demonstrating his expanding influence within the industry.
Career as a Television Director
In addition to acting, Bill Bixby developed a respected career behind the camera. Beginning in the 1980s, he directed episodes of numerous television series, including Goodnight, Beantown, Sledge Hammer!, and later Blossom.
Colleagues frequently described him as a collaborative and thoughtful director who paid close attention to character development and performance. His experience as an actor contributed to his effectiveness in this role, as he understood the practical and creative needs of performers on set.
By the early 1990s, Bixby had become a regular director on Blossom, one of NBC’s popular sitcoms of the period. His dual career as both actor and director placed him among a relatively small group of television professionals who achieved long-term success in both disciplines.
Personal Life
Bill Bixby’s personal life included both joyful and difficult experiences. He was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Brenda Benet, with whom he had a son, Christopher. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1980. In 1981, their son Christopher died due to complications from a rare illness. The following year, Brenda Benet died. These events were widely reported in major newspapers at the time and are documented in reputable biographical sources.
In 1990, Bixby married Laura Michaels; the marriage later ended in divorce. In 1993, he married Judith Kliban, who remained with him during the final months of his life.
In 1991, Bill Bixby was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He continued working for as long as his health allowed, including his directing duties on Blossom. His openness about his illness helped bring broader public attention to the importance of health awareness and early medical screening.
Final Years and Passing
Bill Bixby passed away on November 21, 1993, at the age of 59. His death was widely reported by major news organizations, including The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, which recognized his significant contributions to television.
At the time of his passing, colleagues and collaborators spoke publicly about his professionalism, kindness, and dedication to storytelling. These qualities contributed to the respect he earned across the entertainment industry.
Legacy and Continued Recognition
Bill Bixby’s work remains an important part of television history. His performances in My Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, and The Incredible Hulk continue to be broadcast internationally and are available through modern streaming platforms.
Television scholars often highlight his career as an example of consistency and adaptability. He successfully transitioned between genres—comedy, drama, science fiction—and later into directing, a path that relatively few performers manage to sustain over decades.
His portrayal of Dr. David Banner, in particular, remains influential. Many later interpretations of emotionally complex television characters have drawn comparisons to the approach Bixby brought to the role: restrained, empathetic, and grounded in realism.
Conclusion
Bill Bixby’s career stands as a testament to long-term excellence in television. Through disciplined performances, thoughtful character portrayals, and professional directing work, he helped shape some of the most memorable programs of the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1990s.
More than three decades after his passing, his work continues to attract new audiences and maintain the respect of critics and industry professionals. His legacy endures not through sensationalism, but through consistent quality, artistic integrity, and meaningful contributions to American television history.