Bill Bixby, born Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III in 1934, became a defining presence in American television through a career that spanned more than three decades. After leaving the University of California, Berkeley, to pursue acting, he moved from modeling and commercial work into television. His major breakthrough came in 1963 with My Favorite Martian, where he starred as reporter Tim O’Hara opposite Ray Walston. The role highlighted his natural charm and approachability, qualities that quickly resonated with viewers and laid the foundation for a long and respected career both in front of and behind the camera.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Bixby maintained steady success, but two roles came to define his legacy. In The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, he portrayed Tom Corbett, a widowed father whose warmth and sincerity earned Bixby three Emmy nominations. Later, his portrayal of Dr. David Banner in The Incredible Hulk became one of television’s most recognizable characters. By bringing emotional depth and restraint to the role, Bixby elevated the series beyond standard genre expectations. He later returned to the franchise as both actor and director, demonstrating that his creative abilities extended well beyond performance.
Away from the spotlight, Bixby experienced significant personal challenges that he handled with remarkable composure. Following a divorce in 1980, he endured the devastating loss of his young son, Christopher, to illness, and later the death of his former wife, Brenda Benet. Known for valuing privacy, Bixby avoided Hollywood’s social scene and preferred a quieter life. He immersed himself in his work, increasingly focusing on directing projects such as Blossom, where colleagues noted his professionalism, focus, and steady leadership.
In the final years of his life, Bixby faced prostate cancer with openness and determination, speaking publicly to encourage awareness and early detection. Even as his health declined, he continued directing, adapting his work routine to remain involved on set. He found renewed personal happiness when he married Judith Kliban in 1993, shortly before his passing at age 59. Today, Bill Bixby is remembered not only for his iconic television roles, but also for the resilience, kindness, and dedication he showed throughout a life marked by both extraordinary success and profound hardship.