Bill Bixby: The Actor Behind David Banner Who Left Too Soon

Born in 1934, this gifted actor and television director built a career that stretched more than three decades. He became a household name as David Banner in the late ’70s and early ’80s—yes, the man tied to that unforgettable warning: you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Sadly, his life ended far too early in 1993.

For over 30 years, American television benefited from his talent both in front of the camera and behind it, with colleagues often pointing to his natural warmth as a major part of his appeal. Ray Walston once summed it up perfectly:

”I believe that was the reason people liked him — instantly and completely.”

The star in question, of course, is 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 TV’s most recognizable faces, later expanding into directing with equal skill.

An only child, he discovered a passion for performance early, joining the speech and debate team at Lowell High School. He went on to attend City College of San Francisco and UC Berkeley, though he ultimately left school to pursue acting full-time. In those early years, he supported himself through modeling and commercial work before landing steady television roles.

His major breakthrough came in 1963 with My Favorite Martian, where he played reporter Tim O’Hara, paired with Ray Walston’s unpredictable alien. The series ran for three seasons, turning Bixby into a familiar name in living rooms across America.

From there, he continued building a strong TV 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 took on the lead in The Magician as stage illusionist Anthony Blake, a short-lived series that still developed a devoted cult following.

But for many fans, his defining performance remains Dr. David Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982). He later returned to the character in three made-for-TV movies—two of which he also directed: The Trial of the Incredible Hulk and The Death of the Incredible Hulk. Along the way, he appeared in films like Lonely Are the Brave and guest-starred on popular shows including Fantasy Island and Murder, She Wrote, showing range far beyond a single iconic role.

His son died at 6 years old

Behind the scenes, Bixby’s life carried deep 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 loss. Even with grief trailing him, Bixby kept working and gradually moved more 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.

In the 1970s, he was often described as one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors. Despite the attention, he remained guarded about 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 got ot the beach and enjoy the beauty of the beach and the lady,” he said.

Eventually, he did marry. He wed Laura Michaels in 1990, but they divorced in 1991, the same year he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Bixby spoke candidly about the illness, hoping to encourage others to seek help, and shared a quiet, personal hope:

“My prayer was that I would die in my sleep.”

Months before his death, he married Judith Kliban on October 3, 1993. His health declined 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 firmly tied to 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 strong imprint as a director, proving his talent wasn’t limited to acting.

Outside of work, he enjoyed Chinese cooking, bridge, music, and gardening—small comforts that rounded out a life that carried both fame and profound loss.

Even today, many fans continue revisiting his work through streaming and digital platforms, keeping the memory of this classic TV star very much alive.