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.