Bill Bixby and Brenda got divorced two years before their son died after a marriage that lasted eight years. The actor's initial prayer was to have a peaceful death, which he admitted: "My prayer was that I would die in my sleep. Bill Bixby appearing in the Walt Disney Television. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Unfortunately, the cancer returned by mid-1993 and, on November 21, 1993, six days after directing his last episode on "Blossom" (1991), Bill Bixby died at age 59 in his home after a two-year battle with cancer. Bixby met Laura Michaels, who had worked on the set of one of his Hulk movies, in 1989. | Bill Bixby made a name for himself in the show business industry before passing away a peaceful death due to prostate cancer. His first marriage was to actress Brenda Benet. Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Michigan came to the rescue of a sheep that wandered out onto a frozen lake and partially fell through the ice. She played bouffant-brunette beauties for most of her "nice girl" career, but is best known for her portrayal of villainess Lee Dumonde on the daytime soap, Charles B. Assiff (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. He would die on November 21, 1993, less than a week after he completed his final episode of Blossom pretty much working despite his impending death. At the time of his death,. He gave a dazzling performance, demonstrating every human emotion anyone could ever have. While dancing, he attended Lowell High School, where he perfected his oratory and dramatic skills as a member of the Lowell Forensic Society. Bixby was known for his role alongside Walston in "My Favorite Martian" and in the 1977 "The Incredible Hulk: The Incredible Hulk. She had married Paul Peterson, who played Jeff Stone on The Donna Reed Show, in 1967, but divorced him two years later so she could be with Bixby. He turned down the role as Marlo Thomas's boyfriend in the successful That Girl, though he later guest-starred in the show, and starred in two failed pilots. Prior to Bixby's promotion to director, Brandon said, "He was looking for the best dolly grip, along with the boom operator that if something was called specifically and failed, Bill could be easily angry." Bixby died at 3:33 p.m. with his wife, Judith Kliban-Bixby, at his bedside, said Pamela Golum, spokeswoman for Blossom.. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! They divorced in 1980. Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III (January 22, 1934 November 21, 1993)[1] professionally known as Bill Bixby, was an American actor, director, producer, and frequent game-show panellist. Bill Bixby died on Sunday November 21, 1993 at his home in Century City. Bill Bixby, television actor, director and producer best known for his starring role as Dr. . This year, he began an experimental hormone-treatment program at the University of California-Los Angeles, Medical Center. In 1983-84 Mariette Hartley and Bixby were paired in CBS sitcom Goodnight, Beantown. Vidpix included Congratulations Its a Boy!,The Couple Takes a Wife,Shirts/Skins,The Invasion of Johnson County,The Great Houdini, Agatha Christies Murder Is Easy and Diagnosis of Murder. He directed several episodes of ABCs Rich Man, Poor Man as well as Three on a Date, Another Pair of Aces and I Had 3 Wives., Features included Lonely Are the Brave,Irma La Douce,Ride Beyond Vengeance and Kentucky Fried Movie. He appeared onstage in Under the Yum Yum Tree and in the national company of The Fantasticks.. "| Source: Getty Images, Television historian Ed Robertson claimed that the actor knew how to play every role to the letter. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. He became a highly regarded character actor and guest-starred in many television series, including Ben Casey, The Twilight Zone, The Andy Griffith Show, Dr. Kildare, Straightaway, and Hennesey. When describing the actor, a close friend maintained that his energy was unmatched, adding that it "would have been impossible for any woman to have been married" to the actor for an extended period, as his energy was demanding. For much of his life, Bixby had many lady friends, but the relationships perhaps because of that emotional distance tended not to last very long. Bill Bixby/Sons They were married in 1971, and she gave birth to their son, Christopher, in September 1974. Bixby's first marriage was to Brenda, with whom he welcomed his only son, Christopher, on September 25, 1974. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org. ". See the article in its original context from. Sadly, his personal life was far less intriguing compared to his career. In 1961, Bixby was in the musical The Boy Friend at the Detroit Civic Theater, returning to Hollywood to make his television debut on an episode of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. People close to him maintained that he was skilled at displaying two sides. However, the couple only had a few weeks together before he died on November 21, 1993. 2010 . Bill Bixby and Susanne Cramer in "My Favorite Martian." Throughout his lifetime, Bixby carved out a successful career in television, including three popular shows. He was also the host of the public television series "Once Upon a Classic" in the late 1970's. One episode of the series co-starred Bixby's future wife, Brenda Benet, as one of Tom's girlfriends. While in the seventh grade, Bixby attended Grace Cathedral and sang in the church's choir. He appeared on Broadway in "Under the Yum Yum Tree" in 1964 and "The Paisley Convertible" in 1967. There are people who have stars that, not to be blunt, but I wouldn't bother spitting on their stars. After its cancellation, Bixby starred in four movies: Ride Beyond Vengeance, Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding!, and two of Elvis Presley's movies, Clambake and Speedway. While there, Christopher was injured and when doctors inserted a breathing tube, he went into cardiac arrest as a result of acute epiglottitis, and died. Bill Bixby, whose long career in television included starring roles in three popular series, died on Sunday at his home in Century City. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In March 1981, Bixby's 6-year-old son, Christopher, contracted a throat infection while on a ski vacation. Bixby passed away in 1993 at age 59 from prostate cancer. It wasnt crap. | Source: Getty Images. Bill Bixby (as Tom), Brandon Cruz (as Eddie) on the Disney General Entertainment Content. "[14], In a 2011 interview with Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith about how Bill Bixby's fame was supposed to posthumously honor him for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Cruz said, "When I found out they were putting this out, I thought, 'It's about time.' Study now. Cruz believed that the actor's legacy would carry on despite Bixby's untimely death. In 1975, he co-starred with Tim Conway and Don Knotts in the Disney movie The Apple Dumpling Gang, which was well received by the public. | Source: Getty Images. He also worked on some films titled "Lonely Are the Brave" and "Irma La Douche. For over 30 years, he was in great demand and his big roles and directing credits have been a personal testimony to his fans. Later, he starred in My Favorite Martian from 1963-1966 with Ray Walston. Advertisement The executive producer of "Days of our Lives," Al Rabin described Brenda as a "wonderful, warm and caring person." Indeed, the actor was so impressive in delivering his lines and roles that even his colleagues and other producers admired him. Various roles, where she usually played the exotic type, followed throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was great in a social settings and was considered a good guy, but one-on-one he was more reserved. Born in San Francisco in 1934, Bixby landed his first role in a stanza of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, and made appearances on The Danny Thomas Show ,The Andy Griffith Show and J.J. He also worked on the series with his friend, movie actress Mariette Hartley, who later starred with Bixby in his final series, Goodnight, Beantown, in 1983. The ticket was purchased at a gas station on Van Dyke Road in Detroit. Sadly, his personal life was far less intriguing compared to his career. On the kind of relationship Bill had wanted with his co-star, Brandon also said, "Bill would never speak down to me. According to Kenneth Johnson, the creator of Marvel's TV version of "The Incredible Hulk": "My personal impression of Bix was that he was a very professional, friendly, accessible guy that never changed. Brenda Benet, Actress, Called Suicide Victim, https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/09/obituaries/brenda-benet-actress-called-suicide-victim.html. The series concerned a widowed father raising a young son, managing a major syndicated magazine, and at the same time trying to re-enter the dating scene. He was working as a lifeguard when an advertising executive offered him a job as a model in car ads. On April 7, 1982, Brenda went into the bathroom of her West Los Angeles home, lit and arranged some candles in a circle on the floor and lay down. Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A 13-year-old Maine boy broke a Guinness World Record by assembling the 11,695-piece Lego World Map in 9 hours, 14 minutes and 49 seconds. He organized shows at a resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and in 1959 was hired to work as a model and to do commercial work for General Motors and Chrysler. Wiki User. | Source: Getty Images. He went into cardiac arrest after doctors inserted a breathing tube when he suffered acute epiglottitis. -- The 6-year-old son of 'Incredible Hulk' television series star Bill Bixby died of a rare childhood illness during a weekend ski trip, a studio spokesman said Tuesday. [26][27] He was divorced in the same year. Walston said: "I believe that was the reason people liked him -- instantly and completely.". The cause was prostate cancer, said Pamela. He soon went to Hollywood, where he landed a part in an episode of "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." She briefly attended UCLA where she majored in languages during the early 1960s and also spoke Greek, Italian, and French. He then moved to Hollywood, California, where he had a string of odd jobs that included bellhop and lifeguard. In 1962 she entered show business; her breakthrough role came in 1964 when she was selected to play the part of Jill McComb in The Young Marrieds (1964). But he absolutely refused to quit working, and did so until he literally collapsed on the set of the show. Following a run in NBCs 1973-74 series The Magician, actor starred from 1978-82 in CBS comic-book-based The Incredible Hulk, in which he played mild Dr. David Banner, researcher who through a freak lab accident changed when angry into a huge, green monster, played by weightlifter Lou Ferrigno. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The couple's 6-year-old son, Christopher Sean Bixby, died last year after a severe throat infection. Official Sites. His mother, Jane (ne McFarland) Bixby, was a senior manager at I. Magnin & Co. Bill treated me as an equal. Apart from her role in Days of our Lives, Brenda also got known for her role in Walking Tall in 1973, as the kind and endearing prostitute. Which, of course, puts a pretty negative spin on Bill in terms of how he treated her. Wandering sheep rescued from frozen lake in Michigan. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. She died instantly. Bill's talent would take a couple of blocks of stars compared to them. It really demeans the whole thing that Bill is not included."[15]. Bixby made his last acting appearance in 1992, guest-starring in the television movie Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder. How much was Adam West worth? Her mother paid for these lessons by taking jobs cleaning and sewing. It was believed that this and her divorce from Bixby were the events which caused Brenda's life to spin out of control. If he sensed otherwise, the actor would politely drift away. ''They are absolutely sure at this point'' that she committed suicide, Officer Jones said. Universal studio spokesman Ben Halpern later revealed that he had suffered a rare children's illness. They were divorced about a year ago. He made his first debut in "The Many Loves of Dobie Girls," followed by "The Joey Bishop Show," where he became a semi-regular cast. She, much like Bill, went through a tragedy herself. Rather than report to the United States Army, Bixby joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He wasnt able to get past the anger for her, over the divorce, to feel sympathy for her and what she was going through.. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Publicity Listings To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. He was 59. They were very emotionally guarded, but his mother was like Bill was early in his life she was a firecracker. Horse spotted riding in the back seat during McDonald's drive-through run. Detroit teenager wins $613,000 jackpot with ticket gifted from friend. In an emotional TV interview in September, he spoke of his battle with cancer that spread to his bladder, liver and hipbones. Bixby's ex-wife, actress Brenda Benet, killed herself less than a year after their son's death. However, the couple only had a few weeks together before he died on November 21, 1993. In March 1981 while on a ski vacation in the Mammoth ski resort area, Brendas six-year-old Christopher Sean Bixby, became ill. She took him to Mammoth Hospital, where he got diagnosed with acute epiglottitis. Glen Varner said. Suggests Johnson, His determination to keep working right up through the pain and suffering that he went through with the prostate cancer was a testament to the kind of guy he was, and the kind of spirit Bill always had to do his very best work, and give the very most he could back to the people he was with., I found it troubling that Bill would feel that he wanted to work, Grove says. "Then they gave me a (new). Miss Benet was married to the actor Bill Bixby, who played in the television series ''The Incredible Hulk.'' | Source: Getty Images. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. The muscle-laden Hulk was played by Lou Ferrigno, a bodybuilder. Immediately after he checked into the facility, surgeons diagnosed him with severe epiglottitis, and a few hours later, he went under the knife. Starbuck. From 1963-66 he starred in the CBS sitcom My Favorite Martian, followed three years later by ABCs The Courtship of Eddies Father, 1969-72. It might have been nearly three decades since Bill Bixby departed the earth, but memories of the man who played Hulk in "The Incredible Hulk" have stuck with lovers of his work owing to his fantastic acting. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Months before his demise, Bixby started dating Judith Kliban, whom he later wed, following his first wife, Brenda Benet. He is known for his roles in the CBS sitcom My Favorite Martian as Tim O'Hara, in the ABC sitcom The Courtship of Eddie's Father as Tom Corbett, in the NBC crime drama series The Magician as stage Illusionist Anthony Blake, and the CBS science-fiction drama series The Incredible Hulk as Dr. David Banner. Bixby died at 3:33 p.m. with his wife, Judith Kliban-Bixby, at his bedside, said Pamela Golum, spokeswoman for "Blossom." William Bixby, actor: born San Francisco 22 January 1934; married Brenda Benet(died 1982; one son deceased), 1993 Judith Klivan; died Los Angeles 21 November 1993. She was a character, but its that stereotypical dynamic we see in many people; I dont think they said I love you much. Returning to comedy, Mr. Bixby was paired with actress Mariette Hartley in the 1983-84 CBS series "Goodnight, Beantown.". In March 1981, Mr. Bixby's 6-year-old son, Christopher, died of a throat infection. After years of being an actor and moving to direct, Bixby was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he made known to the public who supported his battle. Bill Bixby, whose long career in television included starring roles in three popular series, died on Sunday at his home in Century City. On April 7, 1982, she committed suicide by shooting herself in the head. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Also, when people have cancer, especially women, it brings out their natural features. During the 1970s, he made guest appearances on television series such as Ironside, Insight, Barbary Coast, The Love Boat, Medical Center, four episodes of Love, American Style, Fantasy Island, and two episodes each of The Streets of San Francisco and Rod Serling's Night Gallery. Bixby, who did not accompany his wife and child on the trip, was in Los Angeles at the time of his son's death, Halpern said. However, Christopher never fully recovered. LOS ANGELES - Bill Bixby, whose three-decade television career featured starring roles as a Martian's pal, superdad and superhero, has died of cancer, a spokeswoman said today. Bill Bixby was born Wilfred Bailey Bixby on January 22, 1934 in San Francisco, California. Bixby was devastated by all of this, but nonetheless once again embraced work, which at that time was primarily the television series version of Marvel Comics The Incredible Hulk. In 1989 he was making a Hulk TV movie, where he met Laura Michaels, the two of them marrying in Hawaii a year later. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Alone, Brenda sat by Christophers side as he lapsed into a coma and cardiac arrest after surgeons performed a tracheotomy. Bixby made his directorial debut on the sitcom in 1970, directing eight episodes. Three years later, Mr. Bixby moved into the role of a wise, stalwart dad in "The Courtship of Eddie's Father.". 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He was also someone who had so much energy and intensity that it was sometimes overwhelming., He points to Bixbys parents in explanation for at least part of the way that he was, particularly his mother. Advertisement Bixby, who died Nov. 21, 1993 at age 59, lost his only child to a curable throat infection when the boy was only 6. Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A California woman captured video of a large bear that braved rainy weather to take a swim in her family's backyard pool. Bill Bixby, television actor, director and producer best known for his starring role as Dr. David Bruce Banner on "The Incredible Hulk," has died. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Dangling seagull rescued from Florida utility pole. The cause was prostate cancer, said Pamela Golum, a spokeswoman for the NBC-TV show "Blossom." Mr. Bixby, the show's director, was on the job until last week. His co-stars noticed it, as well as his first wife, Brenda, who also accepted his behavior. Jan. 17 (UPI) -- An Australian contortionist stood on her hands and used her feet to shoot an arrow 59 feet and 11 inches into a target for a Guinness World Record. In 1973, Bixby starred in The Magician. Actor Bill Paxton dead at age 61. In early 1991, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent treatment. The series, which was cancelled after only two seasons, consists of short biographies of famous people throughout history. After a stint in the 1973-74 NBC series "The Magician," he starred in the comic book-based series "The Incredible Hulk," which ran from 1978-82 on CBS. Mr. Bixby's former wife, the actress Brenda Benet, comitted suicide less than a year later. The core cast was rounded out by Academy Award-winning actress Miyoshi Umeki, who played the role of Tom's housekeeper, Mrs. Livingston, James Komack (one of the series' producers) as Norman Tinker, Tom's pseudo-hippie, quirky photographer, and actress Kristina Holland as Tom's secretary, Tina. He was helming an episode of the NBC series Blossom as recently as last week. Jan. 18 (UPI) -- A teenager in Detroit has won a $613,000 Lucky 7 Fast Money jackpot with a ticket that was gifted to her by a friend. Mr. Bixby, a native of San Francisco who studied theater in school, got his first break appearing in industrial films. The crew and cast members knew what he was going through and we gave him the space that he needed., Offers Grove, I had perceptions about the tragedies in Bills life that when Bill and Brenda got divorced, after their son died, that his anger toward Brenda was a dispositive factor in her committing suicide. does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Bill Bixby died on November 21, 1993 at the age of 59. Anyone can read what you share. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. It was believed that this and her divorce from Bixby were the events which caused Brenda's life to spin out of control. She gave birth to their son Christopher on September 25, 1974. Emmy-winning actor reportedly died due to complications from surgery. All content, including text, and images contained on. She began a relationship with Bill Bixby and moved in with him in 1969, and they married in 1971. Actor-director Bill Bixby, 59, superdad in TV's "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" and scientist-hero of "The Incredible Hulk" vidseries, died Sunday at his home in Century City after a long bout . As crazy as his private life might have been, publicly and professionally he was pretty much a goodie goodie., In that video interview with Entertainment Tonight mentioned by Grove,Bill himself commented on his own legacy, stating, I would hope that Ive left behind something that would lead to goodwill, and then my life would have been worth something.. During this time she married and divorced actor Paul Petersen. He worked steadily in TV and, occasionally, films, including "Irma La Douce" and "Lonely are the Brave. [17] Although, reportedly, when Bixby was offered the role, he declined it until he read the script and discussed it with Johnson. The couple had one son, Christopher Sean, who was 6 when he died of a throat infection in the . Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in New Jersey said they are investigating the origins of an unusual non-native animal picked up in Monmouth County: an alligator. He went into cardiac arrest after doctors inserted a breathing tube when he suffered acute epiglottitis. On April 7, 1982, she committed suicide by shooting herself in the head. ", Bill Bixby as Tony Blake from the television program The Magician in 1973. 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