Born in 1934, this talented actor and TV director enjoyed a career that spanned more than three decades. He’s best known for playing a character named David Banner in the late ’70s and early ’80s — and trust us, you definitely wouldn’t like him when he’s angry! Sadly, he passed away far too soon in 1993…
For over 30 years, this American television icon showcased his talent both on-screen and behind the camera.
His easygoing charm never went unnoticed. Colleague Ray Walston pointed to this as a major reason for his popularity, saying:
“I believe that was the reason people liked him — instantly and completely.”
Who are we talking about? Of course, it’s Bill Bixby!
Big break in 1963
Bill Bixby, born Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III on January 22, 1934, in San Francisco, was a beloved actor and TV director whose career lasted more than three decades.
As an only child, he discovered his love for performing early, joining the speech and debate team at Lowell High School. He later attended City College of San Francisco and UC Berkeley but left school to pursue acting, supporting himself with modeling and commercial work before landing steady TV roles.
Bixby’s big break came in 1963 with My Favorite Martian, where he played reporter Tim O’Hara opposite Ray Walston’s mischievous alien. The show ran for three seasons and made him a household name. He later starred as widowed dad Tom Corbett in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, earning three Emmy nominations, and as stage illusionist Anthony Blake in The Magician, which developed a cult following despite lasting only one season.
But for many fans, Bixby is most remembered as Dr. David Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982). He continued to reprise the role in three made‑for‑TV movies, two of which he directed himself: The Trial of the Incredible Hulk and The Death of the Incredible Hulk.
Bixby also appeared in films like Lonely Are the Brave and guest‑starred on popular series such as Fantasy Island and Murder, She Wrote, showcasing his versatility.
His son died at 6 years old
Off‑screen, Bixby endured profound personal tragedies. He divorced his first wife, actress Brenda Benet, in 1980. In 1981, their six‑year‑old son Christopher died suddenly from a rare throat infection.
Just a year later, Benet died by suicide. Despite these heartbreaks, Bixby continued working, moving into directing in the 1980s on shows like Goodnight, Beantown and Sledge Hammer!, eventually becoming a regular director on Blossom.
In the 1970s, he was considered one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors — he loved the ladies, and the ladies loved him. But he never married during that era.
“I’m a very private person. I rarely go to cocktail parties because I can’t stand the idle chatter of drunks. My weekends are spent at Malibu. I take a lady and go to the beach and enjoy the beauty of the beach and the lady,” he said.
But eventually, he did find the love of his life.
He married Laura Michaels in 1990, but they divorced in 1991 — the same year he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Bixby spoke openly about his illness, hoping to raise awareness and encourage others to seek treatment. Reflecting on his hopes, he admitted:
“My prayer was that I would die in my sleep.”
Months before his passing, Bixby married Judith Kliban on October 3, 1993. His health declined rapidly, and on November 15, he was so weak while directing Blossom that he had to work from a sofa. Kliban cared for him at their home near Century City for six days until he peacefully slipped into a coma and passed away on November 21, 1993, at just 59 years old. She later recalled:
“I prayed for some extra time, but what we got was really intense and quite fabulous.”
Legacy
Bixby’s legacy lives on through his iconic roles alongside Ray Walston in My Favorite Martian, as the human side of The Incredible Hulk, and in his early work on shows like The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and The Joey Bishop Show.
He earned his first Emmy nomination for The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and left a lasting mark as both an actor and a director. In 1983, he shifted his focus to directing, working on projects such as Wizard and Warriors, Goodnight, Beantown, and Sledge Hammer!, proving his talent extended far beyond acting. Outside of his career, Bixby enjoyed Chinese cooking, playing bridge, listening to music, and gardening.
Today, fans can revisit his work on streaming platforms: My Favorite Martian is available on Xumo, Pluto TV, Tubi, the Roku Channel, and more; The Courtship of Eddie’s Father is on Amazon Prime; and The Incredible Hulk series can be purchased on Apple, Amazon, and other sites.
