Remembering Bill Bixby - The Tragic Star of TV's "Incredible Hulk" 

He had a lot of tragedy in his life his young son died his ex- wife committed suicide and he died of prostate cancer. I had a huge crush on Bill Bixby when I was a teenager.😔Rip BB

I remembered him on the Courtship of Eddie’s Father.He was a great actor who suffered such heartbreak in his life.May he still R.I.P.

Another actor who dealt with many tragedies in this life and yet kept his positivity always. So handsome, such a good actor. He left us with so much good stuff to remember him. He will always be remembered.

I loved Bill Bixby especially in the TV show courtship of Eddie's father, with the live-in housemaid Mrs Livingston. That was one of my favorite shows and then when Bill Bixby did incredible hulk I was glued to that one as well. Bill Bixby is a fantastic actor and I love everything he did.

Loved him in The Magician as well!

The Courtship of Eddy's father...it was one of my favorite shows way back in the day.

It's amazing how many guests on the Andy Griffith Show went on to become big stars themselves, although some were already well known. Bill Bixby, Alan Hale, Bob Denver, Barbara Eden, Gavin McLeod, Edgar Buchanan, Don Rickles, Buddy Ebsen, Frank Cady, George Kennedy, just to name a few.

Bixby is one of those always watchable actors. He conveyed a real sense of honor and dignity. I'll always remember him in "The courtship of Eddies Father". His appearance in TAGS was a classic.

Bill was underrated as a villain. He guest starred on many police and detectives shows and played a great bad or misunderstood guy. He was also a very good director.

The Incredible Hulk was my favorite show when I was a kid. I loved Bill Bixby too.

Terrific actor!

Everything he was in was great. Just seemed like a good down to earth guy that didn't give off the I'm better than you attitude. He did go thru some hard personal times and persevered. Thanks for the video Dave.

I remember crying during the episode with Ms. Hartley. I was 7 when it originally aired.

My favorite memories of Bill Bixby were from The Incredible Hulk and although I know it was based on The Hulk comic book character, the show still had a lot of similarities for me with the tv show The Fugitive. I’m glad Bill found happiness in his last marriage right before he passed away, albeit short but sweet.

I recall reading of his turbulent relationship with his 1st ex, troubled actress Brenda Benet, & how unfair it was that he didn't have the chance to experience a lengthy, healthy relationship in his personal life, because as you said, he was truly a good guy.

What a class act he was! I grew up watching him in different shows, but none were greater than the Incredible Hulk! I think it was my first journey into understanding theatrical tragedy. Every time I see his photo, I hear the unforgettable, sad, lonely piano theme for his character. I KNOW you hear it too, Dave!

Bill Bixby:Class Act and one of a kind…still missed to this day…. RIP Bill Bixby….

One of my favorite shows was The Incredible Hulk! Bill Bixby reunited with Ray Walston in the hulk episode titled "My Favorite Magician". I love your documentaries by the way.

"The Courtship of Eddies Father " was one I liked back then. Of course I like everything Mr Bixby was involved with, who wouldn't :-)

I loved Bill Bixby in The Magician and The Incredible Hulk. But it's so sad to learn that he died from prostate cancer, especially as it can be treated successfully if caught early. I was lucky that my prostate cancer was diagnosed early. I wish Bill Bixby was as fortunate as me. RIP Mr. Bixby and thank you for all the pleasure you gave us on our tv screens.

The Courtship Of Eddies Father. When my son was born I played that theme song all the time. And it's still in my playlists 28 years later. Loved the Hulk too! Bill was an every man, anybody could relate to him.

Mr. Bixby was a very like-able guy. From My Favorite Martian 👽, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, The Apple 🍎 Dumpling Gang and of course The Incredible Hulk, growing up he was one of our favorite 🤩 actors back in the day. When I hear that theme from the Incredible Hulk, immediately Bill Bixby comes to mind. Thank you 🙏 so much Dave for another great episode on one of my favorite TV actors of all time

I used to watch a show that Bill was in that was about magic. Bill would show a magic trick then show you how to perform the trick. It was a lot of fun.

I remember when I first heard of his passing all those years ago and how sad it made me feel. Now you've brought back that sadness :(

I loved incredible hulk , and courtship of Eddie's father, he was a great actor.

Those Years where tv was worth watching and Bill could play so many different roles and amazing in them all.

Great episode!!! Love these trips down memory lane. I always had the same feelings about Bill Bixby being a good guy. Thanks Dave.

Bill Bixby left a legacy that made an indelible impression on my childhood. I love the Apple Dumpling Gang.

Bill Bixby was what made the Incredible Hulk worth watching. Extremely talented actor with a kind hearted personality and intellect.

He was a great actor and director. He was married to Brenda Benet who was married previously to Paul Peterson of the Donna Reed Show. Also Bill was in one of Elvis Presley s movies

Funny timing, I just watched the pilot episode of Hulk last night. It stills holds up. But the whole time I kept thinking what a shame it was that he had to deal with such tragedies. He seemed like such a nice guy, and was perfect as David Banner.

I loved The Courtship of Eddie's Father! Fun fact, Brandon Cruz later became the singer for a punk band in LA called Dr. Know.

Our family loved Incredible Hulk.

I absolutely loved Bill Bixby!!❤️😍🥰 I would watch anything he was in. He was such a great actor that went through a lot of tragedy in his personal life and died way too young.😔 R.I.P. Bill Bixby 🙏🏻❤️

I loved the show The Courtship of Eddie's Father. When it was cancelled I didn't understand why it wasn't on any more. My Mother wasn't the greatest one for explaining so I could understand. Bill was a brilliant actor, and has been so missed since his passing!!! 🌼

I absolutely loved Bill Bixby. I had a crush on him even though he was old enough to be my father. Lol. So sad when he passed.

Bill Bixby had a talent on another level. He made you feel like it was real.

I did love Bill Bixby even though my only exposure was The Incredible Hulk. The DVD Release from 2010 was one of the 1st sets I got when I got into collecting physical media. I remember the news of his passing back in the day it was a sad time for me.

Your so right Dave Bixby was great as David Banner in the incredible Hulk television series. One thing that you forgot to mention was that he did direct an episode of that series in year four. I would love to think that if he hadn't passed away that the incredible Hulk television movies would still be going on till this day and know that it would be waaaay better than the movie versions of him from the Marvel cinematic universe. Also I got the series of the incredible hulk on Blu-ray for Christmas this past year.

I absolutely loved Bill Bixby as David banner he was great at that part he made you feel sorry for him and sympathetic bill Bixby made the show I have all the incredible hulk seasons on dvd one of my favorite shows Dave love it Bill Bixby owners that role as David banner he was the highlight loved him in my favorite Martian as well another great classic show Dave love it loved him in the Andy Griffith show episode to Bill Bixby appeared in where he is a spoiled guy ended up in Andy's jail but anyways the incredible hulk was great loved him in the Apple dumpling gang movie and some of the Elvis movies he was in to thanks for sharing great video Dave he was special 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Bill Bixby was truly a class act .R.I.P

Thanks so much for the video Dave! Loved Bill Bixby. I really enjoyed The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and Goodnight Bean Town but my favorite was the Incredible Hulk. That show was so well done. There’s a great clip of Stan Lee praising the television show and how it was executed. He had a lot of praise for Bill and Lou Ferrigno and Lee actually had his first cameo in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk before all his famous cameo appearances in the more recent Marvel movies. Bixby seemed like the genuine article and he is sorely missed! Thanks again!

I religiously watched My Favorite Martin when I found out Amazon Prime carried the entire series. I loved him in The Courtship of Eddie's Father. As far as I am concerned, he died much to early.

Always a class guy. He had unmistakable charisma.

This is the BEST version of the Incredible Hulk

Ah, The Incredible Hulk, where do I begin? As a kid, I had a heart condition which kinda made me an outsider. I used to watch this show on Friday's ;not having many friends, I used to watch thinking how cool it would be to be able to Hulk-out in real life. The Incredible Hulk was more than a tv show, it became a friend to me, a friend I could always depend on. It was one if my most pleasant memories from childhood. Though I was saddened by its cancellation, looking back at it now, it almost seems like a logical and fitting end to the show. I have all 5 seasons on dvd and I will never get tired of watching it.

Thanks, Dave. I loved Bill Bixby, too. I discovered My Favorite Martian and Courtship Of Eddie's Father years later in reruns. RIP, Mr. Bixby. As Dave said, you were indeed the real deal!

Thank you for this upload. It was fun watching The Incredible Hulk. But how I loved The Courtship of Eddie's Father. Definitely one of my all-time favorites.

That was my FAVORITE show, never missed it!!

So sad he passed away so soon after the death of the hulk. Plus to this day, I hear the end credits theme an a tear fills my eye. Homecoming pts 1, 2 is one of my favourite stories.

Like you, I saw "The Magician" too but really liked "The Incredible Hulk". I remember being sad at the news when he died at such a young age.

What a lovely tribute to a noble career.

Many might not remember that the late Bill Bixby directed a couple episodes of the sitcom Blossom as well as hosting The Elvis Conspiracy, The Elvis Files, plus The Marilyn Files tv specials from 1991- 1992😉🙏👍🤗

I think everybody like Bill! Great overall actor, and well know as a nice guy and easy to work with! Only seen a few of the Hulk shows, as it ended before we got cable in 1980, where I lived in Canada!

Rest In Peace Bill Bixby

I remember how emotional Brandon Cruz got when he did a T.V. interview on Bill Bixby's death. They were still close friends at the end.

For me, it was cool to be able to watch Bill Bixby on television as I grew up, from My Favorite Martian, to the Courtship Of Eddie's Father, to The Incredible Hulk, to The Magician. With a made for TV movie or two thrown in for good measure. I'm glad that the MCU included the iconic David Banner line in one of The Hulk line.

I loved the I H "walking away" music; haunting and, beautiful, I thought.

Bill Bixby really was the Best! I grew up watching him from My Favorite Martian on. He was a great actor and a wonderful person. When he passed, I mourned him like a favorite uncle or cousin. R.I.P. Bill.

All three such great shows!! Can you imagine such a low key thoughtful show as Courtship these days?

This reminds me of another passing. Bob Saget whose Danny Tanner told DJ that he wanted to be like Banner. Not too tall, not too short. Just right. And that is what is missing in characters nowadays. The everyman. Not contrived, just a simple person who is trying to be the best one can under the circumstances. I come back to that whenever I venture into the unknown. His character never gave up on goodness, on his goals, on his hope. And you can see that in a lot of people around you, too. And you don't have to be a good influence with grand gestures or a lot of resources. Just a simple act of kindness that Bixby made out to be so attainable to do yet so profound.

The first time I saw Bill Bixby was as a kid in the 1970's on the Incredible Hulk, by time I graduated from High School in 1985.....I learned of his earlyer works and saw him on a episode of the Andy Griffith show where his rich character who always relied on his Dad to bail out of trouble learned a leason on life and taking responcability for his actions From Andy. I saw My Favorite Martian, never saw The Courtship of Eddie's Father" but I saw clips of his show The Magician where he really did magic on the show he was a Amateur Magician and did all the magic on the show with no trick Photography of any kind.

My sentiments exactly!! I loved Bill Bixby and he was the reason I loved the Incredible Hulk💚💚💚

I loved My Favorite Martian and Courtship of Eddie's Father in reruns. I also binged the Ghost and Mrs. Muir here on YT over Christmas! They have all the episodes and the Christmas special.

Bill Bixby was everywhere on TV in the 1960's until his sad death. I loved The Magician -that show was unique and I am with you Dave I cannot understand why it was not a runaway hit. What I really love is that with all of Bill's great roles he managed to make appearances on the Love Boat and Fantasy Island. Being on those two shows was for me a necessity for any actor in the 1970's. I don't know how Bill worked until the end. I get a paper cut and take to my bed! He must have been as strong as the Hulk!

Bixby one of my many old time favorites. As a small child you wanted to see the hulk. As a grown up I enjoy the mature storylines of the series...

Courtship with Eddie Father. My first for Bill. Sidebar,RIP Louie.. Love his cartoon. Just going off memories, no research.

I remember liking My Favorite Martian mostly because Bill Bixby was in it. At 5 years old, I thought he was the most handsome man ever. I loved him in on The Andy Griffith Show, but The Courtship of Eddie's Father was my favorite. RIP Bill Bixby.

Wow, just saw Bill Bixby on an episode of Night Gallery about two hours before this video. As a kid, I knew him most from Hulk, but also from reruns of My Favorite Martian.

Man. I loved this show. Can we just go back? I would in a minute.

Nice piece, Dave. Many of us were huge fans of "The Incredible Hulk," but "The Magician" was a seriously underrated show.

i agree dave! Bill Bixby has been a favorite of mine for more years than I can remeber! I loved almost everything he was in! Good night beantown was the one I never watched. Anyway! The hulk was great as was the magician and courtship of eddie's father! and of course my favorite martian! So many memories. Unfortunately I remember seeing him on entertainment tonight not long before he died! He looked terrible! So thin! He was directing and episode of "blossom". I will never shake that image! I sure do miss him! He left behind a rich legacy of tv shows!

"People let me tell ya bout my best friend", loved that theme song. Bill Bixby was good in everything he was in, including a silly series called "The Magician". He was in "Love American Style" as well.

Don't remember 1/2 the stuff or even knew about. I sometimes watched My fav martian and sometimes the hulk Thanks Dave!

Glad you covered Bill Bixby, Dave - I watched 'The Incredible Hulk' faithfully myself. Later on, I caught most of 'My Favorite Martian' in syndication, along with various TV guest appearances. The one of TV version of 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was a nice one. He appeared earlier in 'The Thirty-Fathom Grave,' one of the hour-long installments of the fourth season of 'The Twilight Zone.' 'Kolchak: the Night Stalker's" 'Tony Vincenzo" Simon Oakland appears in this as well. I enjoyed the later "Hulk TV-movies where he met versions of other superheroes such as Thor, and Daredevil -the version of Daredevil in 'Trial of the I. Hulk' is closer to the original 1960's version of the character than we've seen later. A nice look a well-remembered actor. Rest in peace, Bill.

I miss Bill Bixby he was a great actor

In August 1977, my family & I were at Universal Studios, Calif. on a tour, when we were told by the tour guide to be quiet as we passed through an active shot of a brand new t.v. show, airing in a few weeks! It was "The Incredible Hulk" & Bill Bixby was waist deep in a swamp, fighting to escape! A month later, we saw that scene in the second half of the pilot episode! p.s. The Hulk was nowhere in sight, but fun to see Bill.in person!

LOVE BILL BIXBY 🥰🥰🥰

I cried with banner on hulk vs hulk when the tube of the possible cure got broken and David cried as he hulked up. Yep that bus scene with death driving got me as well.

Re Walston:. You are spot on. So many amazing laugh out loud moments in that movie and the pizza scene is right near the top of the list!

Bixby was a great actor!

Ill never forget the final tv movie with Bill Bixby as the Hulk. He falls out of a plane , and his last words are "Its over" or something like that. I was crushed!

I will still always love him as Doctor David Banner in The Incredible Hulk and the final Hulk movie he died which I didn't like rest in peace Bill Bixby

When I think of Courtship of Eddie's Father, I start singing (to myself) the peppy theme song, "Hey there, let me tell you 'bout my best friend..." 😁

I remember "The Magician" as well. Living on a jet airplane driving the white Corvette. It was a decent show as well.

And my favourite Martian, the magician was my most fave ❤️

Bringing back great memories! As a kid I created my own line of superheroes and the thing that got me the most when I listened to the DVD commentary of this show is that Producer Kenneth Johnson wanted to make the Hulk red, which is the color of rage. I had created a character that was my universes answer to the Hulk called the "Crimson Crusher" who was red! My character was a punch-drunk boxer who was a little slow when he was in human form and when he transformed, he regained his intelligence, I did this to contrast Bruce Banner who was an intelligent scientist in human form then turned into a dumb brute, and this was long before the professor Hulk story line. And, of course, Marvel now has a red Hulk. Oh, and, as for the name change to David, Johnson didn't like the double initial names Marvel was fond of, like "Peter Parker." so he changer the first name. Granted Robert begins with an R, but the nick name is Bob, so, he didn't like that. Just as a side note, I based my character on real boxer Irish Jerry Quarry, who would later, sadly, suffer from the punch-drunk disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

For the longest time I only knew him from The Incredible Hulk. Friday nights were the Dukes and Hulk. Then he returned for the Hulk TV movies and then he was sadly gone. I have since seen some of his movie work although I have never seen My Favorite Martian or Courtship of Eddie's Father. I'll eventually get around to it. Although I will always watch the Hulk. I believe the show still holds up today. Yeah there were some cheesiness but overall still a great show.

He was great on The Courtship of Eddie's Father and The Incredible Hulk.

Lovely tribute to Mr. Bixby, Dave! I was a huge fan of The Incredible Hulk and Mr. Bixby was a huge part of it. I can still hear the closing melody of The Lonely Man. Thanks, Dave!

Since you brought it up I’ll just mention that The Private Eyes with Tim and Don is a hidden gem if there ever was one. It is so unique and creative and hilarious. Definitely give it a watch. The Hulk was one of my favourite shows. Couldn’t wait for the next episode. And the movie with Thor was the best. Thanks for another awesome video Dave.

When I look at him I think of the show the courtship of Eddie's father and I always think of him as young and it makes it's hard to believe he is dead but he is.

Let me start by saying that Bill Bixby was a fantastic actor. I first remember seeing him starring on The Courtship of Eddie's Father as Tom Corbett ( "Mr. Eddie's father") with Brandon Cruz as Eddie. Didn't get to see him in My Favorite Martian until it reached syndication. Enjoyed it a lot too. But like most I, too, remember him most notably from CBS's The Incredible Hulk. As David, (later Robert), Bruce Banner. He really made it an amazing series. He has an astounding portfolio too, I know. I've had the pleasure of seeing him in numerous television shows, series and movies. Not to mention his performances on the big screen. Appearing in two Elvis Presley movies. "Clambake" and "Speedway", respectively. He was listed as a costar in both. "Bix", has also stared in other movies such as "Ride Beyond Vengeance", and "Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding". Bill Bixby dealt with a great many challenges in his life. And he will, and should, always be remembered for being a truly nice person and a phenomenal actor.

RIP he was a rare man a decent human being in Hollywood and a GREAT actor

Bill Bixby in 1962 starred in a minor role in a Western movie that featured Kirk Douglas, "Lonely Are The Brave". He was in an Air Force helicopter sent to assist county law enforcement to apprehend an escaped cowboy that broke out of county jail. As the helicopter got near a mountain where the cowboy was hiding. That's where the cowboy knocked out the tail rotor when he fired with his Winchester. Bixby told the sheriff on the radio, "Get a fix on us we're going down he knocked out the tail rotor". That movie is worth watching. Kirk Douglas was that escaped cowboy trying to getaway on his horse.

Bill Bixby as 'The Magician' was one of my favorite shows, as well. I always tried to watch stuff that he was in. Sadly, he suffered personal tragedies as well, but he just kept plugging away. As far as the name change on The Hulk, I understood that in the original comics books his name was Dr. Bruce Banner, but (for the times) the producers (or writers) felt it wasn't 'man'' enough for TV. It was a great show though!! Bixby was a great actor!!

YES! IM SO GLAD YOU DID A VIDEO OF HIM. RIP

What a great thing to wake up to on my feed. Thank you for your heartfelt share. This is the first video I've seen with 600+ likes and ZERO dislikes.

Great video, Dave, as usual! I was a child in the 70's and what kid wouldn't love watching "The Incredible Hulk" tv series? My brother and I loved it and would often pretend to be the Hulk, screaming and posing our arms and throwing objects in the backyard, a la Lou Ferrigno! Hulk was my first memory of Bill Bixby, but being a lover of classic movies and TV, I've enjoyed the surprises over the years of seeing him in other things ("Courtship of Eddie's Father," "My Favorite Martian," "The Andy Griffith Show," etc.). However, one of my best surprises of seeing Bill was in a wonderful Kirk Douglas moving from 1962 called "Lonely Are the Brave." Bill can be seen as a helicopter airman trying to locate Kirk's character, John W. Burns. It's a great movie and I recommend for anyone that loves classic TV and movies. From research I just looked up, this seems to have been his very first movie role. The scene Bill is in seems pretty stressful, but luckily he doesn't become the Hulk! LOL!

Incredible Hulk still the greatest opening ever. David Banner is believed to be dead and he must let the world think that he is dead. Still chilling after over 40 years