The Untold Health Challenge That Took the Life of a Hollywood Star.
Bill Bixby: The Man Behind David Banner Who Left Too Soon
Bill Bixby wasn’t just a TV star—he was the kind of performer who made millions feel like he belonged in their living room. Born in 1934, he built a career spanning more than three decades, blending warmth, charm, and depth on screen and behind the camera. Most famously, he became a household name as Dr. David Banner in The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982)—the man whose calm demeanor hid a simmering warning: you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Sadly, the world lost Bixby far too early in 1993 at the age of 59.
Early Life and Big Break
Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III entered the world on January 22, 1934, in San Francisco. An only child, he discovered a love for performance in high school, joining the speech and debate team. He studied briefly at City College of San Francisco and UC Berkeley but left to pursue acting full-time, supporting himself with modeling and commercials.
Bixby’s career took off in 1963 with My Favorite Martian, where he played reporter Tim O’Hara alongside Ray Walston’s chaotic alien. The show ran for three seasons, instantly making Bixby a familiar face in American households. From there, he starred as Tom Corbett in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, earning three Emmy nominations, and later as illusionist Anthony Blake in The Magician, a cult favorite despite its short run.
Yet for most fans, Bixby’s defining role was Dr. David Banner. He returned to the character in three made-for-TV movies, directing two of them, proving his skill extended well beyond acting. His range also included films like Lonely Are the Brave and guest spots on shows such as Fantasy Island and Murder, She Wrote.
Triumphs and Heartbreak
Bixby’s life was not without tragedy. He divorced actress Brenda Benet in 1980, and in 1981, their six-year-old son Christopher died suddenly from a rare throat infection. A year later, Benet died by suicide, leaving Bixby to navigate immense personal grief.
Despite heartbreak, he pressed on, moving more into directing in the 1980s. Credits included Goodnight, Beantown, Sledge Hammer!, and later becoming a regular director on Blossom.
In the 1970s, Bixby was Hollywood’s quintessential eligible bachelor, but he remained fiercely private. “I rarely go to cocktail parties,” he once said. “I can’t stand the idle chatter of drunks. My weekends are spent at Malibu, enjoying the beach.” He eventually married Laura Michaels in 1990, divorced in 1991, and faced a prostate cancer diagnosis that same year.
Months before his death, he married Judith Kliban on October 3, 1993. His health deteriorated rapidly, and he passed away on November 21, 1993, leaving behind a legacy of talent, resilience, and grace.
A Lasting Legacy
Bill Bixby’s mark on television is enduring. He charmed audiences in My Favorite Martian, brought heartfelt warmth to The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, and humanized the iconic Dr. David Banner. Behind the camera, he showed an equally impressive directorial skill, proving his artistry was multi-dimensional.
Off-screen, Bixby cherished simple pleasures: Chinese cooking, bridge, music, and gardening. These small joys rounded out a life that, while filled with fame and loss, was lived with integrity and passion.
Decades later, fans continue discovering his work on streaming platforms, keeping the memory of Bill Bixby—the actor, director, and gentle soul—alive for new generations.
