Bill Bixby: The Actor Behind David Banner Who Left Too Soon
Born in 1934, this talented actor and television director built a career that spanned more than three decades. He became a household name as David Banner in the late 1970s and early 1980s—forever linked to the famous line warning that you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Tragically, his life ended far too soon in 1993.
For more than 30 years, American television benefited from his gift both on screen and behind the camera, and colleagues often pointed to his natural warmth as a major part of his appeal. Ray Walston once captured it perfectly:
“I believe that was the reason people liked him — instantly and completely.”
The star, of course, was Bill Bixby.
Big break in 1963
Bill Bixby—born Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III on January 22, 1934, in San Francisco—grew into one of television’s most recognizable faces, later proving just as capable as a director.
An only child, he discovered a 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 ultimately left school to pursue acting full time. In the beginning, he supported himself through modeling and commercial work before gaining consistent television roles.
His breakthrough arrived in 1963 with My Favorite Martian, where he played reporter Tim O’Hara, opposite Ray Walston’s unpredictable alien companion. The series ran for three seasons, making Bixby a familiar presence in homes across the country.
From there, he steadily expanded his television résumé. He starred as widowed father Tom Corbett in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, a role that earned him three Emmy nominations. Later, he led The Magician as stage illusionist Anthony Blake—a short-lived series that still gained a loyal cult following.
For many viewers, however, his defining role remained Dr. David Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982). He later returned to the character in three made-for-TV movies, directing two of them as well: The Trial of the Incredible Hulk and The Death of the Incredible Hulk. Along the way, he appeared in films such as Lonely Are the Brave and guest-starred on popular shows including Fantasy Island and Murder, She Wrote, demonstrating range far beyond a single iconic character.
His son died at 6 years old
Away from the spotlight, Bixby’s life was marked by profound heartbreak. He divorced his first wife, actress Brenda Benet, in 1980. In 1981, tragedy struck when their six-year-old son, Christopher, died suddenly from a rare throat infection.
A year later, Benet died by suicide—another devastating blow. Even as grief followed him, Bixby continued working and gradually shifted further into directing during the 1980s. His directing credits included series such as Goodnight, Beantown and Sledge Hammer!, and he later became a regular director on Blossom.
During the 1970s, he was often described as one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors. Yet he remained wary of fame and social scenes, once saying:
“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 eventually remarried, wedding Laura Michaels in 1990. They divorced in 1991, the same year he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Bixby spoke openly about his illness, hoping to encourage others to seek care, and shared a quiet personal wish:
“My prayer was that I would die in my sleep.”
Just months before his death, he married Judith Kliban on October 3, 1993. His health deteriorated rapidly. On November 15, while directing Blossom, he was so weak he worked from a sofa. Kliban cared for him at their home near Century City until he slipped into a coma and died on November 21, 1993, at 59. She later recalled:
“I prayed for some extra time, but what we got was really intense and quite fabulous.”
Legacy
Bill Bixby’s legacy remains deeply woven into television history: his chemistry with Walston in My Favorite Martian, his warmth in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, and his grounded humanity as David Banner in The Incredible Hulk. He also left a lasting mark as a director, proving his talent extended well beyond acting.
Outside of work, he enjoyed Chinese cooking, bridge, music, and gardening—simple pleasures that balanced a life shaped by both public success and personal loss.
Even today, fans continue revisiting his performances through streaming and digital platforms, keeping the memory of this classic TV figure alive.
