Bill Bixby began his directing career on "Courtship" helming several episodes of the series.Ĭoncurrent with "Courtship", he appeared in several TV movies, Congratulations It’s a Boy! (1971), The Couple Takes a Wife (1972) and Shirts/Skins (1973).įrom "Congratulations, It’s a Boy" in "Shirts/SkinsĪlso at this time, Bill Bixby appeared in two productions of the Hollywood Television Theatre for PBS, the first play being, Big Fish, Little Fish (1972) and then the controversial adult comedy Steambath (1973). The role earned him an Emmy Nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Not wanting to further the stereotype of TV fathers being either bumblers or ‘all-knowing’, Bill Bixby interpreted the role of Tom Corbett with a keen sensitivity and honesty that served to reflect a more realistic on-screen father-son relationship with young co-star Brandon Cruz. In 1969 Bill Bixby took on a starring role in the popular TV series The Courtship of Eddie’s Father which ran for 3 years. Continuing to guest star in dramatic roles as well as comedy, Bill Bixby appeared on many TV series of the 60s including That Girl, Combat! Ironside, Love American Style, Insight, The Ghost and Mrs. Starring in the popular 1975 Disney comedy western The Apple Dumpling Gang, Bill Bixby played a gambler who reluctantly finds himself caring for three frontier kids.īut television proved to be the medium of choice for Bill Bixby. A few years later, Bill appeared with Elvis Presley in two movies, Clambake (1967) and Speedway (1968). In 1965 Bill Bixby had a supporting role as a mean-spirited 1860s business man in the western Ride Beyond Vengeance. Bill Bixby began his film career with bit parts in Lonely are the Brave, Under the Yum Yum Tree and Irma La Douce. Bill Bixby would continue appearing in regional Ohio and Chicago theatres in productions of There’s a Girl in My Soup, The Paisley Convertible, Come Blow Your Horn, Send Me No Flowers and Sunday in New York. He appeared on Broadway in 1967 in the comedy The Paisley Convertible and also starred on stage in The Owl & the Pussycat (1966) in Los Angeles. While working on the series, he would observe behind the scenes production techniques in the editing room, to learn about the craft of directing.īill Bixby performed in the Los Angeles company of The Fantasticks and in Under The Yum- Yum Tree (1962), later reprising his role (Dave Manning) in that show in an Off-Broadway production in May 1964. Then in the fall of 1962 he was cast as reporter Tim O’Hara in My Favorite Martian, the role bringing him popular recognition from TV audiences. His first semi-regular TV role was as PR agent Charles Raymond on the first season of The Joey Bishop Show. Other television roles followed in The Danny Thomas Show, Ben Casey, Bachelor Father, Checkmate, Alcoa Playhouse, The Andy Griffith Show, Twilight Zone, and The Lieutenant. Playing newspaper reporter Tim O’Hara with a mixture of brashness and sensitivity, Bill Bixby brought an energetic chemistry to the part and invested the character with charm and likability.īill Bixby’s TV acting career began in 1961 with an appearance on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. …………….… Bill Bixby: From Actor to Director In assuming the role of Tim O’Hara, Bill Bixby created a character who, along with possessing a bright sense of humor, had a knack for being the quintessential friend.
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