Early Life
Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III was born on January 22, 1934, in San Francisco, California. He was the only child of a father who worked as a store clerk and a mother who encouraged his early interest in the arts. Bixby attended San Francisco City College and then the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied drama. He was also a talented orator and performer from a young age, honing his stage skills in school and regional theater. After serving briefly in the Marine Corps Reserve, Bixby began working in advertising before making the leap to acting in the late 1950s. He took on small parts in commercials and television until he landed his first major break in the early 1960s.
Breakthrough Roles and Television Stardom
Bixby first gained widespread attention as Tim O’Hara in the CBS sitcom “My Favorite Martian,” which aired from 1963 to 1966. The show paired Bixby with Ray Walston as a stranded alien living undercover on Earth. The sitcom was a hit and solidified Bixby’s credentials as a charming and likable television lead. His next major role came in 1969 with the ABC drama “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.” Bixby played widowed magazine editor Tom Corbett, who navigated single parenthood with the help—and sometimes meddling—of his young son Eddie. The show was both heartwarming and progressive for its time, with Bixby’s performance earning him critical praise and several Emmy nominations. Bixby continued to work steadily throughout the 1970s, making guest appearances on shows like “Love, American Style,” “The Love Boat,” and “Fantasy Island.” He also starred in the short-lived but notable series “The Magician” (1973–1974), playing a stage illusionist who solves crimes.
“The Incredible Hulk”
In 1978, Bixby took on what would become his most iconic role: Dr. David Banner in the CBS action-drama series “The Incredible Hulk.” The show followed Banner, a brilliant scientist cursed with transforming into a raging green monster—played by bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno—when provoked. The series blended science fiction, action, and tragedy, with Bixby’s sensitive portrayal anchoring the show’s emotional core. “The Incredible Hulk” ran for five seasons, from 1978 to 1982, and spawned three made-for-TV movies throughout the late ’80s. Bixby not only starred in the films but also directed them, further showcasing his behind-the-scenes skills.
Directing and Later Career
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Bixby continued to act but increasingly turned his focus to directing. He directed episodes of shows such as “Blossom,” “Sledge Hammer!,” and “Wizards and Warriors,” often mentoring younger performers and earning a reputation for being thoughtful and meticulous behind the camera. He also reunited with Lou Ferrigno to direct the final installments of the Hulk franchise: “The Incredible Hulk Returns” (1988), “The Trial of the Incredible Hulk” (1989), and “The Death of the Incredible Hulk” (1990), which marked the last time he appeared on screen as Dr. Banner.
Personal Life and Health Struggles
Bixby’s personal life was marked by both joy and profound tragedy. He was married three times. His first marriage, to actress Brenda Benet, ended in heartbreak when their six-year-old son, Christopher, died of a rare throat infection in 1981. The grief led to the dissolution of their marriage, and Benet died by suicide shortly thereafter. In the early 1990s, Bixby married artist Judith Kliban. In 1991, Bixby was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He remained active in Hollywood during his treatment, continuing to direct episodes of “Blossom” until his health began to decline. He died on November 21, 1993, at the age of 59.
