Bill Bixby
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Wilfred Bailey Bixby (January 22, 1934 – November 21, 1993), better known as Bill Bixby, was an actor and frequent game show panelist who starred in a number of popular American television series, notably as the title role in The Courtship of Eddie's Father; as Dr. David Banner in The Incredible Hulk (1978) with Lou Ferrigno; as Tim O'Hara in My Favorite Martian (1963–1966); and in The Magician (1973).
He was born in San Francisco, California and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. Bixby was also a very acclaimed director and achieved this success behind the camera only after the cancellation of The Incredible Hulk. He directed many television episodes and motion pictures.
In between his TV series, Bixby, who also appeared in a few motion pictures with Elvis Presley, was a frequent game show panelist, appearing mostly on Password and The Hollywood Squares. An accomplished amateur magician, Bixby also hosted several specials in the mid-1970s that featured other amateur magicians.
Bixby experienced tremendous personal tragedy as well. In 1981, Bixby's six year old son Christopher died suddenly after an accident at the actor's Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA home. Shortly afterwards Bixby's wife, actress Brenda Benet, committed suicide.
Bixby died of prostate cancer on November 21, 1993.