Always the man of the hour whenever he appeared on the big screens, Bill Bixby wowed fans with his superb acting. Unfortunately, his personal life has been far less fascinating compared to his career.
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The actor's first marriage fell apart after the death of his only child and he did not find happiness in his second marriage.
It may be nearly three decades since Bill Bixby left Earth, but memories of the man who played Hulk in The Incredible Hulk have lingered with fans of his work because of his fantastic acting.
A statue of The Incredible Halk stands near the red carpet at the premiere of Universal Pictures' 'The Incredible Hulk' held on Universal City Walk on June 8, 2008 in Universal City, California. | Source: Getty Images
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My Favorite Martian's Bill Bixby had an uncomplicated career and became famous for his determination and discipline.
The actor was also a very private celebrity who, unfortunately, was not as smooth in his personal affairs as he was in his career.
People close to him claimed he was adept at showing two sides. Bixby was an introvert and never revealed personal details, but he was also a sensational performer with great energy at work and social life.
Valerie Perrine and Bill Bixby appear in the Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images TV movie The Couple Takes a Wife. | Source: Getty Images
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When describing the actor, a close friendgroomedthat his energy was second to none, adding that "it would not have been impossible for any woman to have been married to the actor for any length of time" as his energy demanded it.
Somehow his intense energy was felt on set and in his relationships. Although the actor was a college dropout, he was self-taught and spoke out on every matter, even if he was talking all the time during a date or a gathering.
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The Incredible Hulk star liked it when his audience resonated with him. If he suspected otherwise, the actor would politely digress.
For Bixby, talking meant giving information to people, which was helpful. His co-stars took notice, as did his first wife Brenda, who also accepted his behavior.
BILL BIXBY'S LIFE WITH HIS FIRST WIFE
Bill Bixby as Matt Cassidy in "GOODNIGHT, BEANTOWN," a CBS television sitcom. | Source: Getty Images
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Bixby's first marriage was to Brenda, with whom he welcomed his only son, Christopher, on September 25, 1974.
Unfortunately, six years later, Christopher was on a weekend ski trip at Mammoth Ski Resortdied. Universal Studios spokesman Ben Halpern later revealed that he had been suffering from a rare childhood illness.
The boy had unexpectedly fallen ill over the weekend and his mother took him to Mammoth Hospital that same day.
Bill Bixby, Brandon Cruz and Miyoshi Umeki. Circa 1970. | Source: Getty Images
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Immediately after checking into the facility, surgeons diagnosed him with severe epiglottitis, and several hours later he went under the knife.
However, Christopher never fully recovered. Instead herelapsedinto a coma and cardiac arrest before closing his eyes for the last time a few hours after the operation.
Bixby was in Los Angeles while his family traveled. The family decided to hold a private funeral in LA after the tragedy. After the bereavement, the couple separated, and a year later Brenda killed herself.
Bill Bixby (als Tom), Brandon Cruz (als Eddie) bei Disney General Entertainment Content. | Quelle: Getty Images
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A narrative of how Bixby's intense anger and disappointment was focused on Brenda after her divorce was spun, and could easily have been the contributing factor to her suicide.
However, through the accounts of colleagues and friends like Brandon Cruz, it's easier to believe that Bixby didn't wish death on anyone. Instead, he was depressed by the deaths of his son and ex-wife.
Bill Bixby as Matt Cassidy in "GOODNIGHT, BEANTOWN," a CBS television sitcom. | Source: Getty Images
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The actor was like a godfather and mentor to Cruz, confident in his ways. Cruz claimed he would have lived longer if both of his beloved family members had not died.
Cruzbelievedthat the actor's legacy would continue despite Bixby's untimely death. He made sure of that by naming his child after his great friend.
BILL BIXBY'S SECOND AND THIRD MARRIAGE
Bill Bixby performs on Walt Disney Television. | Source: Getty Images
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Despite the tragedies of his first marriage, the actor remained optimistic and ready to fall in love a second time. Eight years later (1989) he married the love of his life, Laura Michaels.
But in 1991, after the Incredible Hulk star was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received treatment, Michaels becamewentfrom marriage.
That was his weakest point. No marriage, no children, and the disease continued to spread throughout his body.
Actors Bill Bixby and Laura Michael attend the Women in Film Festival Gala at Director's Guild Theater on October 28, 1990 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
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A few months later, still full of positivity and vibrancy, the actor met an artist, Judith Kliban, whom he married after a year of their relationship. But he didn't live long enough to enjoy his newfound love.
While he was directing an episode of Blossom, Bixby took overcollapsedand was later pronounced dead at the age of 59 following complications from prostate cancer.
BILL BIXBY'S FALL AND THE LEGACY HE FOUND
Actors Bill Bixby and Laura Michael at the Television Academy Hall of Fame Awards Gala on September 23, 1991 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
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Undoubtedly, Bixby was a seasoned actor who acquired his expertise without attending the country's most prestigious acting institute. Contrary to his parents' wishes, he only studied theater at City College in San Francisco.
A San Francisco native, Bixby served in the US Marine Corps Reserves during the Korean War and later worked as a lifeguard in Detroit, where he met an advertising executive who offered him a job.
First he landed a supporting role before his big break in the TV series - "The Favorite Martian", "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" and "The Incredible Hulk". He alsoworkedin some films titled "Lonely Are the Brave" and "Irma La Douche".
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Bill Bixby (als Tom) über den Disney General Entertainment Content „The Courtship of Eddie’s Father“. | Quelle: Getty Images
In fact, the actor was so impressive at delivering his lines and roles that even his peers and other producers admired him. After his death in 1993, many spoke of their time with him and his work ethic.AfterTo Kenneth Johnson, creator of Marvel's TV version of The Incredible Hulk:
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"My personal impression of Bix was that he was a very professional, friendly and approachable guy who never changed."
About being the best candidate for the role, Johnsonadded: "I remembered seeing Bill Bixby in a 1973 TV play called Steambath. He gave a stunning performance, demonstrating every human emotion one can ever have. He was so wonderful. He's the only one I sent the script to."
Bill Bixby on "Love and the Legal Agreement."| Source: Getty Images
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Television historian Ed Robertson claimed the actor knew how to play each role to the letter. He claimed Bixby acted like an authentic single father in The Courtship of Eddie's Father and knew how to play the tormented superhero in The Incredible Hulk.
Bixby left a rich manlegacyand big footsteps to fill in after his death, though he never had another child with Kliban. The actor will continue to be remembered for his captivating performance and sociable nature.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. You can find more international suicide counseling centers at befrienders.org.
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