The Incredible Hulk is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series based on the
MarvelMarvel Publishing, Inc., a company doing business as Marvel Comics, produces American comic books and related media. It forms a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc....
comic bookA comic book is a magazine made up of narrative artwork, often accompanied by dialog and often including brief descriptive prose...
character of the same nameThe Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 . In 2008, the hobbyist magazine Wizard named the Hulk the seventh-greatest Marvel Comics character...
. The pilot episodes were a pair of TV movies on the
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American television network, one of television's original "big three", which also include NBC and ABC. Like NBC, CBS started out as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System...
network beginning on November 4,
1977The year 1977 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1977.For the American TV schedule, see: 1977-78 American network television schedule.-Events:...
; the series soon followed, airing from March 10,
1978The year 1978 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1978.For the American TV schedule, see: 1978-79 American network television schedule.-Events:...
to June 2,
1982The year 1982 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1982.For the American TV schedule, see: 1982-83 American network television schedule.-Events:...
. It starred
Bill BixbyBill Bixby, born Wilfred Bailey Bixby, was an American film and television actor, director and frequent game show panelist....
as Dr. David Banner and
Lou FerrignoLouis "Lou" Jude Ferrigno is an American bodybuilder and actor. Ferrigno has appeared in such television series and movies as Bill Bixby's bulky alter ego, The Hulk, in The Incredible Hulk, Pumping Iron, Sinbad of the Seven Seas, Hercules, and most recently in the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man. He...
as the Hulk. The concept was developed for television by Kenneth Johnson. The series still has a fanbase around the world, making it a cult classic.
Development
In early 1977, Frank Price, head of Universal Television, offered producer and writer Kenneth Johnson a deal to develop a TV show based on any of several characters they had licensed from the
Marvel ComicsMarvel Publishing, Inc., a company doing business as Marvel Comics, produces American comic books and related media. It forms a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc....
library. Johnson turned down the offer at first, but then, while reading the
Victor HugoVictor-Marie Hugo was a French poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights activist and exponent of the Romantic movement in France....
novel,
Les MisérablesLes Misérables is a novel by French author Victor Hugo and is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century...
, he became inspired and began working to develop the Hulk comic into a TV show.
Johnson changed the name of the Hulk's comic book
alter egoAn alter ego is a second self, a second personality or persona within a person. It was coined in the early nineteenth century when schizophrenia was first described by early psychologists...
, Dr. (Robert) Bruce Banner, to "Dr. David Banner" for the t.v. series. This change was made, according to Johnson, because he did not want the series to be perceived as a comic book series, so he wanted to change what he felt was a staple of comic books, and
Stan LeeStan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
's comics in particular, that major characters frequently had
alliterativeAlliteration is a literary or rhetorical stylistic device that consists in repeating the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in close succession...
names. On the DVD commentary of the pilot of
The Incredible Hulk, Johnson also says that it was a way to honor his late son David. However, according to Stan Lee,
UniversalUniversal Studios , a subsidiary of NBC Universal, is one of the six major American movie studios. Its main motion picture production/distribution arm is called Universal Pictures. Its production studios are located at 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California...
changed the name because "Bruce Banner" sounded, in the eyes of the network, like a "gay character" name, and David sounded much better ("Bruce" ultimately became the TV Banner's middle name, as it had been in the comics. It is visible on Banner's tombstone at the end of the pilot episode).
In an interview with Kenneth Johnson on the season 2 DVD, he explains that he had also wanted the Hulk to be colored red rather than green. His reasons given for this were because red, not green, is perceived as the color of rage, and also because red is a 'human color' whereas green isn't. However Stan Lee, the creator of the Hulk comics, insisted that the Hulk must remain green, and Johnson eventually consented.
Johnson also omitted the comic book's supporting characters from his TV adaptation. Instead, he opted for a variety of more realistic characters, most of whom changed with each episode. Additionally, Johnson changed the character's origin story. Rather than being exposed to
gamma rayGamma rays are electromagnetic radiation of high frequency . They are produced by sub-atomic particle interactions, such as electron-positron annihilation, neutral pion decay, radioactive decay, fusion, fission or inverse Compton scattering in astrophysical processes...
s during a botched atomic testing explosion, Banner was gamma-irradiated in a more low-key laboratory mishap, to reduce the level of comic book sensationalism and thus make the origin more believable. Yet another significant change was altering Banner's occupation, from
nuclear physicistNuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei.The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power and nuclear weapons, but the research has provided wider applications, including those in medicine , materials...
to medical researcher/physician. Although the comic-book Hulk's degree of speaking ability has varied over the years, the television Hulk did not speak at all — he merely growled and roared repeatedly. Finally, despite its Marvel Comics roots, fantasy and
science fictionScience fiction is a genre of fiction. It differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically-established or scientifically-postulated laws of nature...
themes were minimized in the series. In the majority of episodes, the only supernatural element was the Hulk himself.
Casting
For the role of Dr. David Banner, Kenneth Johnson cast veteran television actor/director
Bill BixbyBill Bixby, born Wilfred Bailey Bixby, was an American film and television actor, director and frequent game show panelist....
— his first choice for the role. At first, Bixby resisted accepting the part; but, after reading the script, he quickly signed on. Next,
character actorA character actor is one who predominantly plays a particular type of role rather than leading ones. Character actor roles can range from bit parts to secondary leads...
Jack ColvinJack Colvin was an American character actor of theater, film and TV, known for the role of the snoopy tabloid reporter Jack McGee on the TV series The Incredible Hulk from 1977 through 1982, and a TV-movie sequel, and Dr. Ardmore in Child's Play.Born in Lyndon, Kansas, Colvin began his stage...
was cast as "Jack McGee", the series' recurring antagonist. Modeled after the character of Javert in
Les MisérablesLes Misérables is a novel by French author Victor Hugo and is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century...
, "Mr. McGee" was a cynical,
tabloidA tabloid is an industry term for a smaller newspaper format per spread; to a weekly or semi-weekly alternative newspaper that focuses on local-interest stories and entertainment, often distributed free of charge ; or to a newspaper that tends to sensationalize and emphasize or exaggerate or...
newspaperA newspaper is a publication containing news, information, and advertising. General-interest newspapers often feature articles on political events, crime, business, art/entertainment, society and sports. Most traditional papers also feature an editorial page containing columns that express the...
reporter who relentlessly pursued the Hulk after personally witnessing the "
urban legendAn urban legend, urban myth, or urban tale, more properly a "'contemporary legend'" is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories thought to be factual by those circulating them...
" in action.
The most daunting task, however, was finding someone to play the Hulk.
Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian American bodybuilder, actor, businessman, and politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of the state of California....
auditioned, but was rejected due to his inadequate height (according to Johnson in his commentary on a DVD release). Actor
Richard KielRichard Dawson Kiel is an American actor best known for his role as the steel-toothed Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker as well as the video game Everything or Nothing, and Mr. Larson in Happy Gilmore. He is 7 feet 1.5 inches tall.- Life and career :Kiel was born...
was hired for the role, and production commenced on the pilot movie. During filming, however, Kenneth Johnson's own son pointed out that Kiel's tall-but-under-developed physique did not resemble the Hulk's at all. Soon, Kiel was replaced with professional bodybuilder
Lou FerrignoLouis "Lou" Jude Ferrigno is an American bodybuilder and actor. Ferrigno has appeared in such television series and movies as Bill Bixby's bulky alter ego, The Hulk, in The Incredible Hulk, Pumping Iron, Sinbad of the Seven Seas, Hercules, and most recently in the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man. He...
, although a very brief shot of Kiel (as the Hulk) remained in the pilot (according to Johnson, in his DVD commentary). According to an interview at Den of geek, Kiel, who sees properly out of only one eye, also reacted badly to the contact lenses used for the role, and found the green makeup difficult to remove, so he did not mind losing the part.
Initially the facial make-up for the Hulk was quite monstrous, but after both pilots, the first two weekly episodes and New York location shooting for the fourth, the design was toned down.
Ted CassidyTheodore Crawford Cassidy , known as Ted Cassidy, was an American actor and voice actor who performed in television and films. Extremely tall at 6 feet 9 inches , he tended to play unusual characters in offbeat or science-fiction series such as Star Trek and I Dream of Jeannie...
, also known as Lurch from
The Addams FamilyThe Addams Family is an American television series based on the characters in Charles Addams' New Yorker cartoons. The 30-minute series was shot in black-and-white and aired for two seasons in 64 installments on ABC from September 18, 1964 to April 8, 1966...
, provided the voice for the Hulk in the pilots and first two seasons. Ted died in 1979 and
Charles NapierCharles L. Napier is an American actor, known for his portrayals of square-jawed tough guys and military types.-Personal life:...
provided the Hulk's roars for the remaining episodes.
Premise
Doctor David Banner is a physician/scientist who is traumatized by the tragic car accident that killed his beloved wife Laura. Haunted by his inability to save her, Banner studies incidents of people who, while in danger, somehow managed to summon superhuman strength in order to save their loved ones. He concludes that high levels of gamma radiation from
sunspotA sunspot is an area on the Sun's surface that is marked by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection, forming areas of reduced surface temperature. They can be visible from Earth without the aid of a telescope...
s are the cause, and the emotional stress experienced in these situations combined with the gamma radiation altered the body chemistry to cause an increase in strength. In a tragic twist, it is revealed that while his own body would have been the most receptive to the sunspot augmentation, the car accident that claimed his wife occurred on a day with the least sunspot activity. To test his theory, he bombards his own body with gamma radiation. Unknown to Banner, his equipment has been upgraded, causing him to administer a far higher dose than he intended. He attempts to lift a heavy object to test his strength, but is unable to, so he leaves the lab angrily, thinking the experiment has failed.
Driving home in a heavy rainstorm, he suffers a flat
tireA tire is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
and injures himself while trying to change it. The anger resulting from the pain triggers his first transformation into the Hulk, a seven-foot tall, 330 pound, green-skinned savage sub-human with near superhuman strength. The Hulk destroys Banner's car and wanders off into the nearby woods. The next morning, the Hulk stumbles upon a girl who is camping with her father, and attempts to befriend her(a la The Monster in
FrankensteinFrankenstein is a horror film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and very loosely based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley as well as the play adapted from it by Peggy Webling. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features Dwight Frye...
). In the ensuing confusion, the Hulk is shot by the girl's father, but manages to escape. Once calm and unharrassed, he eventually transforms back into Banner -- who has no memory of the tire-changing incident, or the events thereafter. Unsure of how to proceed, Banner seeks out his research partner, Dr. Elaina Marks (played by
Susan SullivanSusan Michaela Sullivan is an American character actress, primarily known for her roles on sitcoms, soap operas and television...
). Her amazement at Banner's healing powers (his gunshot wound is nearly healed) is replaced by shock and horror when Banner tells her that he bombarded himself with gamma rays.
Banner and Marks relocate to a laboratory isolated from the rest of the research institute but still on its grounds, locking him in an experimental pressure chamber designed for deep underwater use; they hope that if he metamorphoses again, it will hold the creature. Banner initially suspects that his transformation had been caused by the lighting and/or rain, both of which he was experiencing at the time, and they simulate analogous conditions in the chamber. When this fails to induce a transformation, he lies down to get some sleep. Banner then has his recurring nightmare of the accident that killed his wife, which causes him to transform and the creature violently escapes from the chamber. Dr. Marks takes a blood sample from the Hulk's wounded hands and guides him to a couch where he calms down and returns to normal. They then realize that the Hulk has a very high metabolism and healing rate and that the transformation is caused by strong negative emotions, such as anger.
While Banner and Dr. Marks try to reverse the process, a reporter named Jack McGee, who is investigating the reported sighting of the Hulk, intrudes on the lab. When the scientists refuse to speak to him, McGee suspects they know more than they are letting on and sneaks into the lab, hiding in a cupboard where he accidentally knocks over a chemical container. Banner catches McGee hiding and removes him from the premises, but as he confronts McGee outside the spilt chemicals (unseen by Banner) result in the lab catching fire. Banner rushes back into the lab to save Elaina, and the stress of the smoke fumes triggers a transformation into the Hulk. The Hulk carries Elaina away from the inferno into the woodland. She reveals her love for David before she dies from injuries she sustained in the explosion. McGee witnesses the Hulk carrying her away, and surmises that the Hulk started the fire and killed both Banner and Marks. Although the authorities are skeptical of the existence of the creature McGee tells them about, he reports the creature to the police and publishes a front page headline in his newspaper proclaiming 'Incredible "Hulk" Kills Two', before vowing to track down the creature so he can catch it and bring it to the law's attention. It is at this point the series begins - McGee vows to capture Marks and Banner's killer. Banner, now presumed dead, is forced to go into hiding while trying to find a cure for his condition.
In a manner vaguely similar to the popular series
The FugitiveThe Fugitive is an American television series produced by QM Productions and United Artists Television that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1967. David Janssen starred as Richard Kimble, a doctor from the fictional town of Stafford, Indiana, who is falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the...
, this forms the basis of the TV series: Banner endlessly drifts from place to place, assuming different identities and odd jobs to support himself and sometimes to enable his research. Along the way, Banner finds himself feeling obliged to help the people he meets out of whatever troubles have befallen them. Often Banner's inner struggle is paralleled by the dilemmas of the people he encounters, who find in Banner a sympathetic helper. As Kenneth Johnson states, "what we were constantly doing was looking for thematic ways to touch [-on] the various ways that the Hulk sort of manifested itself in everyone. In Bixby and his character, David Banner, it happened to be anger. In someone else, it might be obsession, or it might be fear, or it might be jealousy or alcoholism! The Hulk comes in many shapes and sizes. That's what we tried to delve into in the individual episodes." Despite his attempts to stay calm no matter how badly he is treated, Banner inevitably finds himself in dangerous situations that trigger his transformations into the Hulk.
Meanwhile, McGee continues to pursue the incredible story of the mysterious monster, whom he believes got away with a double-murder. Ultimately, Banner changes (or even saves) someone's life for the better. Nonetheless, he (almost always) flees town, scared that publicity over the Hulk's 'rampages' will eventually bring unwanted scrutiny of him from the local authorities and/or McGee. The story (almost always) ends with Banner hitch-hiking down some outbound highway or road -- a strikingly haunting and sad piano solo version of the series theme music playing in the background (as the ending credits visualize). The mood conveys Banner's inner sense of hopelessness: the quest of a man desperate to one day find the cure that will bring him peace, an end to his endless running, and the ability to reclaim a normal life.
Opening narration
The opening narration to the show (performed by
Ted CassidyTheodore Crawford Cassidy , known as Ted Cassidy, was an American actor and voice actor who performed in television and films. Extremely tall at 6 feet 9 inches , he tended to play unusual characters in offbeat or science-fiction series such as Star Trek and I Dream of Jeannie...
, who also provided the vocal growls and roars of the creature in the show's first two seasons.) reads as follows:
Dr. David Banner: physician; scientist. Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry. And now when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs. The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter. (Bixby: "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."--a clip from the first pilot) The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit. David Banner is believed to be dead, and he must let the world think that he is dead, until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
The original narration for the second pilot episode,
Death in the Family, had some differences:
Dr. David Banner: physician; scientist. Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation interacts with his unique body chemistry. And now when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs. The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter. (Bixby: "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.") An accidental explosion took the life of a fellow scientist and supposedly David Banner as well. The reporter thinks the creature was responsible. (McGee: "I gave a description to all the law enforcement agencies; They got a warrant for murder out on him.") A murder which David Banner can never prove he or the creature didn't commit. So he must let the world go on thinking that he, too, is dead, until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
Broadcast history
The Incredible Hulk was the beginning series of the highly-
ratedNielsen ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
Friday-night block on
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American television network, one of television's original "big three", which also include NBC and ABC. Like NBC, CBS started out as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System...
, where it was followed by
The Dukes of Hazzard and
DallasDallas is an American prime-time television soap opera that originally ran from 1978 to 1991. It revolved around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries...
. The series lineup began as such in
1979The year 1979 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1979.For the American TV schedule, see: 1979-80 American network television schedule.-Events:...
and remained that way until
1981The year 1981 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1981.For the American TV schedule, see: 1981-82 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, when the Hulk moved to a new night during the abbreviated fifth and final season. The series has aired as reruns on the
Sci-Fi ChannelSyfy is an American cable television channel launched on September 24, 1992, that specializes in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and paranormal programming. It is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBC Universal...
. The show now reairs on
RTVThe Retro Television Network is a system of television stations primarily airing classic television programming from the 1950s through the 1980s, such as Leave it to Beaver, Kojak, McHale's Navy, Adam-12, Emergency!, and The Rockford Files, as well as the horror film showcase Midnight Monster Hop...
.
Series Progression and Story Arc
As the series progressed, Banner's character and the animalistic nature of the Hulk was frequently explored and expanded upon, with the viewer continuously learning more about the psychology of both Banner and the Hulk. The Hulk's animalistic personality was shown to still reflect Banner's good and compassionate nature, meaning he will typically restrict his wrath to villains threatening him, but will also restrict himself to simply tossing them aside, instead of killing them. Although the Hulk's intelligence is low, he retains the same motivations and priorities as Banner, always managing to protect people or objects that Banner deems important as well as attacking those he feels fear or hostility toward. The Hulk also has a soft spot towards women, children and animals. However, as Banner's normal personality becomes dormant to the Hulk's in that form, and he has no memory of the creature's actions, Banner lives in constant worry of what damage the Hulk causes during those episodes, fearing that someday the Hulk may unwittingly hurt or kill an innocent person.
Likewise, the character of the antagonist Jack McGee underwent significant development throughout the course of the series. Although initially perceived as cynical and conniving, the viewer's sympathy for McGee increases as the series progresses, as McGee gradually comes to realize the Hulk may not be as dangerous as he initially thought, particularly following several instances in episodes such as "The Hulk Breaks Las Vegas" in which he has his own life saved by the creature. In season 2's two-parter "Mystery Man" McGee learns that the creature he is pursuing is human most of the time, making things more difficult for Banner as he subsequently finds McGee's pursuit harder to avoid as McGee is now on a constant lookout for the man as well as the creature. In the same episode, we learn that McGee hopes to catch the Hulk so that the inevitable media sensation will advance his own dwindling career. However, subsequent episodes such as season 3's "Proof Positive" show that McGee's real intentions lie much deeper than this and that his main motive is purely to understand this fascinating creature for himself, for his amazement at the existence of such a remarkable creature has caused him to become totally obsessed with the Hulk to the extent that it has ruined his personal life. We see that the creature is permanently on his mind, and his annoyance over his lack of success in catching the Hulk is exacerbated by other people's refusal to believe the creature exists, for even his own colleagues do not take the story seriously and view him as a laughing stock for believing the Hulk is real.
Significant Episodes
In season 2's opener, the two-part episode "Married" (which originally aired as a two-hour special in September 1978), David approaches Dr. Carolyn Fields (
Mariette HartleyMary Loretta "Mariette" Hartley is an American character actress.-Personal life:Hartley was born in Weston, Connecticut, the daughter of Mary Ickes “Polly” , a manager and saleswoman, and Paul Hembree Hartley, an account executive. Her maternal grandfather was psychologist John B...
) about a new form of hypnotic therapy. He learns that Carolyn has devised the therapy because she is terminally ill with a syndrome "similar" to ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, and has been given no more than eight weeks to live. David reveals his true identity to her, and both agree to help each other, using a tissue sample from the creature to possibly cure Carolyn of her illness. They fall in love and eventually marry. After Carolyn obtains the sample while David has metamorphosed into the creature, she prepares the sample for her own use. The day the procedure to cure Carolyn is to take place, a hurricane hits the island. While the pair are driving to the hospital, Carolyn suffers from another painful episode, this time leading her to flee their moving car. David stops the car and rushes after her, morphing into the Hulk once more. The creature catches her in his arms, and as she attempts to fight him in her pain-induced hysteria, she turns around and sees the creature, and stops struggling. Knowing her time has come, Carolyn embraces the creature, telling him (as David) she'll miss him as she dies in his arms. Mariette Hartley won an Emmy Award the following year for this performance. (Although several other superhero shows had received nominations, this marks the only occurrence of a superhero show actually winning an Emmy of any kind.)
In season 2's "Kindred Spirits", Dr Gabrielle White Cloud, played by
Kim CattrallKim Victoria Cattrall is a Britishactress. She is known for her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO comedy/romance series Sex and the City, and for her leading roles in the 1980s films Police Academy, Big Trouble in Little China, and Mannequin.-Early life:Cattrall was born in Mossley Hill,...
, comes across evidence that a hulk-type metamorphosis had occurred at the dawn of mankind in America 30,000 years ago. This evidence included a cave painting of a transformation and a skull that Gabrielle claims to be two skulls at once, and which David suggests died while metamorphosing. Gabrielle tries to help David, but the plant that they thought had cured the prehistoric hulks has since become extinct.
In the second series' two-parter "Mystery Man", McGee finally comes face-to-face with an amnesia-ridden David Banner, although he does not recognize him for Banner's face is covered by a gauze mask following a severe injury in an auto accident. Banner has been admitted into a hospital as '
John DoeThe name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name for a male party in a legal action, case or discussion whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
' as his true identity is unknown. Investigating an apparent link between this man and the Hulk, McGee hires a small plane for himself and Banner to see a doctor who will be able to cure Banner's amnesia. However, lightning strikes the plane and an injured McGee and Banner wind up trapped in a forest, where they must desperately help one another escape to safety. During their ordeal, McGee sees the mystery man transform into the Hulk and realizes this is how the Hulk manages to get from one place to another without being seen in between. He is eventually separated from the Hulk but vows to track down the mysterious "John Doe" and find out his true identity.
In the Season 4 two-parter "Prometheus", David rescues and befriends Katie Maxwell (
Laurie Prange), a young woman recently blinded by an accident. While helping her through the woods near her home, a meteor lands near them. David investigates, and feels sickened by the radiation emanating from the meteorite fragment. An attacking swarm of bees triggers his transformation into the Hulk, and in the process of fighting off the bees the Hulk touches the meteorite. He retreats back to Katie's cabin, but in metamorphosing back into David, the process stops midway, with David retaining some of the Hulk's bulk and irradiated features, but with the ability to speak. Additionally, David had also retained most of the Hulk's child like intellect. Horrified at realizing that his transformation has gone wrong, David enlists Katie's help. The military, however, arrives and after attempting to evade them, David transforms back into the Hulk. The Hulk and Katie are captured and taken to a military installation, where a group of scientists working for the Prometheus Project mistakenly believe that the Hulk is an alien. After seeing a tape of David's transformation, however, they realize that the Hulk is actually a man who transforms into the creature. McGee, meanwhile, finagles his way onto the base and finds Katie, attempting to get her to give him more information on "John Doe". The Hulk escapes from his confinement and finds Katie. After the Hulk's transformation back into David again stops midway, Katie theorizes that the radiation from the meteorite is affecting David's unique body chemistry and that they need to escape from the base and get away from the meteorite. McGee, meanwhile, convinces the brass to let him talk to "John" and convince him to surrender. McGee finds them, but due to David's altered appearance, doesn't realize that he is, in fact, talking to David Banner. It's a double-cross, however, as soldiers move in on David and Katie. David transforms into the Hulk once again and breaks out of the installation with Katie. Far from the meteorite fragment, the Hulk transforms back into David Banner with no ill-effects.
In the episode "Dark Side", Banner's experiment with a mood altering chemical goes disastrously wrong with himself becoming psychotically violent, which makes his next transformation into the Hulk an extremely dangerous experience to everyone around him. Fortunately, Banner is able to inject an antidote right before transforming into the Hulk again in a crisis and the creature reverts to his good nature to save the day.
In the two-part episode "The First", David discovers that another man transformed into a Hulk-like creature 30 years ago. In this case, a doctor used gamma radiation in an attempt to heal a man named Dell Frye in poor health, who was embittered by bullying from the local townspeople, causing him to become vengeful and cruel. However, the radiation turned him instead into a savage green creature. Because of Frye's difference in personality, Frye's creature had killed people. Dr. Jeffery Clive, long dead, had discovered the cure, but Frye, now old and arthritic, and still bullied, wants to have the power again. David discovers Dr. Clive's laboratory, which contains a machine that can harness the sun's gamma radiation. Looking through Clive's journals, he realizes that he needs to take the antidote developed by Clive and then bombard himself with gamma rays for the cure to work. Before he can do so, however, Frye knocks him out and straps himself into the machine. As David awakens and attempts to stop him, Frye is bombarded with gamma radiation, which turns him into a Hulk-like creature. After metamorphosing back, Frye discovers that after one transformation, his arthritis has vanished. Seeking revenge for the years of taunts he has endured, Frye goes into town and provokes some of the town bullies into attacking him. He once again transforms into the creature, and proceeds to kill one of the bullies. Realizing that the Frye Hulk is extremely dangerous because of Frye's murderous nature, David manages to subdue Frye and strap him into the machine to reverse the process. Unfortunately, Frye comes to and transforms into the creature, and in the process destroys the last vial of the cure that Dr. Clive had developed. As he literally sees the cure dripping from his fingers, a distraught David transforms into the Hulk. The two creatures fight, with the much more powerful Banner Hulk getting the better of the Frye Hulk, who is eventually shot dead by the sheriff. "The First" is the only episode of the TV series to feature another superpowered character.
The series wraps up with a standard 50-minute episode ("A Minor Problem"). The character of McGee does not appear in this last episode, nor a few other episodes in the short, last season, and the series ends on an open note, with Banner still searching for a cure and McGee still unaware of the true identity of his John Doe.
Music
Joe HarnellJoe Harnell was an American easy listening composer and arranger....
composed the music for
The Incredible Hulk. He was brought into the production due to his involvement with the series
The Bionic WomanThe Bionic Woman is an American television series which spun off from The Six Million Dollar Man. It starred Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, a tennis professional who was nearly killed in a skydiving accident, and was rebuilt by Oscar Goldman and Dr. Rudy Wells , who had also rebuilt The Six...
. The score used at the beginning and
closing creditsClosing credits or end credits are added at the end of a motion picture or television program to list the cast and crew involved in the production. They usually appear as a list of names in small type, which either flip very quickly from page to page, or move smoothly across the background or a...
was a
pianoThe piano is a musical instrument which is played by means of a keyboard. Widely used in Western music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music, and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
piece called "The Lonely Man". Portions of "The Lonely Man" can be heard in the 2008 film
The Incredible HulkThe Incredible Hulk is a 2008 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner/the Hulk...
. Some of the series music was collected into a
soundtrackThe Incredible Hulk: Original Soundtrack Recording is the licensed promotional soundtrack from the 70's television series adaptation of The Incredible Hulk.- Album Information :...
.
Cancellation
In 1981, with a major entertainment union strike on the horizon, the production team continued filming episodes for the show's 5th season directly upon completion of the fourth. However, with seven of these "in the can," CBS cancelled the show due to a slight change in the ratings and budget. Rumors were going around at the time that Bill Bixby's contract was up, and that he wanted to move on. Bixby had wanted to see his character being cured from being the Hulk. Also, both executive producer Kenneth Johnson and producer Nicholas Corea had gone to Harvey Shepard, who was president of CBS entertainment at the time, to ask for clearance to shoot nine unfilmed scripts for the series to give the show a mid-season run. They were turned down, and the pilot and the first four seasons were released into general syndication. By that time the union had gone on strike as expected, and that autumn CBS aired five of the seven "5th season" episodes made, running the last two and repeating three of the others the following summer. That fall, all seven were added to the rerun package. The nine unfilmed scripts included, "Los Indios," Parts 1-2 (Season 3), "Double Exposure," (Season 3), "The Trial of Jack McGee," (Season 5), "David Banner, RIP," (Season 5), "The Steel Mill," (Season 5), "The Survivors," (Season 5), "Killer on Board," (Season 5), and "Eyes of the Beholder," (Season 5). Also, Johnson and Corea had wanted to do a two-hour series finale in which Banner is caught and is found out to be alive, goes on trial for the death of Elaina Marks, resolves things with McGee, and gets cured from his hulk-outs.
Made for TV movies
Two episodes of the series appeared first as
stand-alone moviesA television movie is a feature film that is produced for and originally distributed by a...
, but were later re-edited into one-hour length (two-parters) for
syndicationIn broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows to multiple individual stations, without going through a broadcast network. It is common in countries where television is scheduled by networks with local affiliates, particularly in the United States...
. They were produced as pilots before the series officially began in 1978.
- The Incredible Hulk (pilot) - 1977
The year 1977 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*In the Academy Awards, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight win Best Actor and Actress and Supporting Actress awards for Network....
(also seen overseas as a feature)
- The Incredible Hulk: Death in the Family - 1977 (retitled Return of the Incredible Hulk for overseas release)
Six years after the cancellation of the television series in
1982The year 1982 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1982.For the American TV schedule, see: 1982-83 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, three
television movieA television movie is a feature film that is produced for and originally distributed by a...
s were produced with Bixby and Ferrigno reprising their roles. All of these aired on
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
.
- The Incredible Hulk Returns
The Incredible Hulk Returns is the 1988 TV movie about David Banner, played by Bill Bixby, who has nearly cured himself from being the Hulk, played by Lou Ferrigno...
(1988-Top grossing films :source: http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1988&p=.htm- Awards :Academy Awards:* Alice * Alien Nation, starring James Caan and Mandy Patinkin* Amsterdamned...
) - David Banner meets a former student (played by Steve LevittSteve Levitt is an American actor who has appeared in films and on television. He is best known for his role in the 1987 movie Hunk as Bradley Brinkman and a recurring role in the Showtime TV series The Paper Chase....
), who has a magical hammer that summons ThorThor is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee; scripter Larry Lieber and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
(played by Eric Allan KramerEric Allan Kramer is an Americanactor, perhaps best known as Little John in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, as Thor in The Incredible Hulk Returns and as Dave Rogers, the white neighbor in The Hughleys.-Early life:...
), a VikingA Viking is one of the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the late eighth to the early eleventh century. These Norsemen used their famed longships to travel as far east as Constantinople and the Volga River in Russia, and as far...
warrior prevented from entering ValhallaIn Norse mythology, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen by Odin, half of those that die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death, led by valkyries, while the other half go to the goddess Freyja's field Fólkvangr...
. Set up as a back-door pilotA television pilot is a test episode of an intended television series. It is an early step in the development of a television series, much like pilot lights or pilot studies serve as precursors to the start of larger activity, or pilot holes prepare the way for larger holes. Networks use pilots to...
for a live-action television series starring Thor. This project marked Colvin's final appearance as Jack McGee, and the character's storyline was left unresolved.
- The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk is a 1989 TV movie sequel to the 1970s Incredible Hulk television series, featuring both the Hulk and fellow Marvel Comics character Daredevil...
(1989-Events:* "Batman" is released on June 23, and went on to become the biggest blockbuster of the year; Grossing over $250 million at the box office.* Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia, for $20 million...
) - David Banner meets a blind lawyer named Matt Murdock and his masked alter ego, DaredevilDaredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, Matt Murdock is...
. The Incredible Hulk and the Daredevil battle the Kingpin of CrimeThe Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #50 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr. There the Kingpin appeared as an adversary of Spider-Man, but eventually became the archenemy of Daredevil...
, although he was referred to only by his birth name, Wilson Fisk. Daredevil was portrayed by Rex SmithFor the baseball player, see Rex Smith Rex Smith is an American actor and singer.-Music career:...
, while John Rhys-DaviesJohn Rhys-Davies is a British actor and vocal artist. He is perhaps best known for playing the charismatic Arab excavator Sallah in the Indiana Jones films and the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in which he also voiced the ent, Treebeard...
portrayed Fisk. This was also set up as back-door pilotA television pilot is a test episode of an intended television series. It is an early step in the development of a television series, much like pilot lights or pilot studies serve as precursors to the start of larger activity, or pilot holes prepare the way for larger holes. Networks use pilots to...
for a live-action television series starring Daredevil. Stan LeeStan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
has a cameo appearance as one of the jury members overlooking Banner's trial.
- The Death of the Incredible Hulk
The Death of the Incredible Hulk was a 1990 made-for-television film, the last of three revival TV movies from the 1977-1982 television show The Incredible Hulk. Bill Bixby reprised his role as Dr. David Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno returned to play the Hulk...
(1990) - David Banner falls in love with an Eastern European spy (played by Elizabeth GracenElizabeth Grace Ward is an American actress known almost as much for her off-screen activities as for her movie and television roles. She was born Elizabeth Grace Ward but should not be confused with another Elizabeth Ward who worked as a television actress during the first half of the 1980s.-...
) and saves two kidnapped scientists. The film ends with the Hulk taking a fatal fall from an airplane, reverting to human form just before he dies, and allowing Banner to make a dying declaration.
Despite the apparent death of the Hulk in the 1990 film, more
Incredible Hulk television movies were planned, including a proposed
Rebirth of the Incredible Hulk, where the Hulk would actually be able to talk. (to help launch a pilot for
Iron ManIron Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 , and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby.Born Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark, he...
) and another television movie featuring
She-HulkShe-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
. In the mid-1980s, there was also talk about doing a television movie with the cast from the 1977-1979 live action
Spider-ManThe Amazing Spider-Man is the first live-action TV series based on the popular comic book The Amazing Spider-Man and was shown in the USA between 1977-1979. It consisted of 15 episodes...
television series. However, all such projects were cancelled when
Bill BixbyBill Bixby, born Wilfred Bailey Bixby, was an American film and television actor, director and frequent game show panelist....
died of cancer in November 1993.
DVD releases
All three of the NBC TV movies (
The Incredible Hulk ReturnsThe Incredible Hulk Returns is the 1988 TV movie about David Banner, played by Bill Bixby, who has nearly cured himself from being the Hulk, played by Lou Ferrigno...
,
The Trial of the Incredible HulkThe Trial of the Incredible Hulk is a 1989 TV movie sequel to the 1970s Incredible Hulk television series, featuring both the Hulk and fellow Marvel Comics character Daredevil...
and
The Death of the Incredible HulkThe Death of the Incredible Hulk was a 1990 made-for-television film, the last of three revival TV movies from the 1977-1982 television show The Incredible Hulk. Bill Bixby reprised his role as Dr. David Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno returned to play the Hulk...
) have been available on
DVDDVD, also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc,is an optical disc storage media format, and was founded in 1995. Its main uses are video and data storage...
since 2003; the first two were released by
Anchor Bay EntertainmentAnchor Bay Entertainment is an American home entertainment company and a division of Starz Media, which is a unit of Starz, LLC. It was previously owned by IDT Entertainment until 2006 when IDT was purchased by Starz Media. Anchor Bay markets and sells feature films, series, television specials...
, while
The Death of the Incredible Hulk was released by
20th Century FoxTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation , also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox, is one of the six major American film studios...
home video. A double-sided DVD entitled
The Incredible Hulk - Original Television Premiere, which contained the original pilot and the "Married" episodes, was released by
Universal StudiosUniversal Studios , a subsidiary of NBC Universal, is one of the six major American movie studios. Its main motion picture production/distribution arm is called Universal Pictures. Its production studios are located at 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California...
DVD in 2003 to promote
Ang LeeAng Lee is an Academy Award-winning Taiwanese American film director. Lee has directed a diverse set of films such as Eat Drink Man Woman , Sense and Sensibility , Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , Hulk , and Brokeback Mountain for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director, and...
's
HulkHulk is a 2003 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character of the same name. Ang Lee directed the film, which stars Eric Bana as Dr. Bruce Banner, as well as Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott, Nick Nolte and Josh Lucas...
motion picture. A six-disc set entitled
The Incredible Hulk - The Television Series Ultimate Collection was released by Universal DVD later in 2003. This set includes several notable episodes including "Death in the Family," "The First," and "Prometheus".
On July 18, 2006, Universal released
The Incredible Hulk - Season One on DVD. This set contains the original pilot movies, the entire first season, and a "preview" episode ("Stop the Presses") from Season Two.
On July 17, 2007, Universal released
The Incredible Hulk - Season Two on DVD as a 5-disc set. The set included the entire second season, the Married episodes (AKA Bride of the Incredible Hulk), and preview episode (Homecoming) from season three.
On June 3, 2008, Universal released
The Incredible Hulk - Seasons Three and Four on DVD in time to promote Louis Leterrier's film
The Incredible HulkThe Incredible Hulk is a 2008 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner/the Hulk...
.
On October 21, 2008, Universal released "
The Incredible Hulk" - Season Five on DVD as a 2-disc set. The set contains all seven Season Five episodes and interviews by Ken Johnson and various members of the Production & Writing teams, as well as a Gag Reel., Additionally, a complete series DVD Set was released as well. The Complete Series was released in the UK on DVD on September 30, 2008.
Cameos
- Jack Kirby
Jacob Kurtzberg , better known by the pen name Jack Kirby, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor. Growing up poor in New York City, Kurtzberg entered the nascent comics industry in the 1930s. He drew various comic strips under different pseudonyms, ultimately settling on Jack Kirby...
- the artist that created the Hulk makes a cameo in "No Escape" from Season II
- Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
- the writer that created the Hulk makes a cameo in "Trial of the Incredible Hulk" (second post-series TV-movie)
A roster of guest stars
During the series' five and 1/2-season run, many unfamiliar actors and/or actresses have made guest appearances, and others were newcomers who have gone on to become well-known, among them appearing in Incredible Hulk episodes:
John WitherspoonJohn Witherspoon is an American comedy actor known for his roles in, Hollywood Shuffle , Boomerang , Murder Was The Case , Friday , Vampire In Brooklyn and the 1990s WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. and more recently Granddad in The Boondocks.-Biography:John Witherspoon was born in Detroit, Michigan...
,
Charles SiebertCharles Siebert is an American actor and television director. As an actor he is best known for his role as Dr. Stanley Riverside II on Trapper John, M.D. which he portrayed from 1979-1986...
,
Bradford DillmanBradford Dillman is an American retired film and television actor and author.-Early life:Bradford Dillman was born on April 14, 1930 in San Francisco, California, the son of Josephine and Dean Dillman, a stockbroker. He studied at Town School for Boys and St. Ignatius High School, and at...
,
Dabbs GreerRobert William "Dabbs" Greer was an American actor who performed many diverse supporting roles in film and television for some fifty years. His southern voice fitted well in shows featuring rustic characters, such as Westerns...
,
Rosemary ForsythRosemary Forsyth is a Canadian-born American actress most notable for her role as Bronwyn opposite Charlton Heston in The War Lord in 1965.-Career:...
,
Ernie HudsonErnest Lee "Ernie" Hudson is an American actor known for his roles as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters film series, Warden Leo Glynn on HBO's Oz and Sergeant Albrecht in the cult movie The Crow.-Early life:...
,
Caroline McWilliamsCaroline Margaret McWilliams is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Marcy Hill on the television series Benson and Sally on the television series Soap. McWilliams was a regular on the CBS soap, Guiding Light for several years and also appeared in a short-term role on the NBC...
,
Rosalind ChaoRosalind Chao is an American actress; she is married to voice actor Simon Templeman.-Early life:Born in Anaheim, California as a first-generation Californian of Chinese descent, Chao's parents ran a successful Chinese American pancake restaurant, Chao's, across the street from Disneyland, and...
,
David WhiteDavid White was an American stage, film and television actor. His best known role was the character "Larry Tate" in Bewitched.-Early life:...
, James Wainwright,
Kene HollidayKenneth "Kene" Earl Holliday is a prolific character actor of stage, film and television, best known for his role as Andy Griffith's original private investigator, Tyler Hudson, on the hit television series Matlock...
,
Rick SpringfieldRick Springfield is an Australian-American songwriter, musician and actor. As a musician, he is most famous for the 1981 #1 single "Jessie's Girl", which became a Grammy Award-winning landmark of 1980s pop-rock and helped establish the emerging music video age...
,
Gordon JumpGordon Alexander Jump was an American actor best known as the clueless radio station manager Arthur "Big Guy" Carlson in the TV series WKRP in Cincinnati and the incompetent "Piece of Chalief Tinkler" in the sitcom Soap...
,
Elaine JoyceElaine Joyce is an American actress.Joyce was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She made her film debut in 1961 as an extra in West Side Story and made uncredited appearances in several musical films, including The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, and Funny Girl before being cast in Such Good Friends in 1971...
,
Charles NapierCharles L. Napier is an American actor, known for his portrayals of square-jawed tough guys and military types.-Personal life:...
,
Mariette HartleyMary Loretta "Mariette" Hartley is an American character actress.-Personal life:Hartley was born in Weston, Connecticut, the daughter of Mary Ickes “Polly” , a manager and saleswoman, and Paul Hembree Hartley, an account executive. Her maternal grandfather was psychologist John B...
,
Judith ChapmanJudith Chapman is an actress known to fans of American daytime television. She has appeared on half a dozen daytime dramas since the mid-1970s...
,
Sally KirklandSally Kirkland is an American film and television actress.-Early life:Kirkland was born in New York City and was the goddaughter of Shelley Winters. She was named after her mother, fashion editor Sally Kirkland, who was a fashion editor at Vogue and LIFE magazines. Her father, Frederic McMichael...
,
Mary FrannMary Frann was an American actress best known for her role as Bob Newhart's wife, Joanna Loudon, on the television series Newhart.-Early life and career:...
,
Jennifer HolmesJennifer Holmes is an American television actress.Holmes is best known for her role as Leslie Vanderkellen, a fabulously rich, world-class skier who takes the job of hotel maid to find out what it is like to be normal, on the first season of Newhart...
,
Jared MartinJared Martin is an American actor, born in Queens, New York on December 21, 1940.- Acting career :Born to Charles E. Martin in Manhattan on December 21, 1940, a cover artist for The New Yorker, and Florence Martin, Jared Martin began acting at the age of ten, when his parents gave him the choice of...
,
Pat MoritaNoriyuki "Pat" Morita was an American actor who was well-known for playing the roles of Arnold on the TV show Happy Days and Mr...
,
Dana ElcarDana Elcar was an American television and movie character actor. Although he appeared in about 40 films, his most memorable role was on the 1980s and 1990s television series MacGyver as Peter Thornton, an administrator working for the Phoenix Foundation...
,
Cameron MitchellCameron Mitchell was an American film, television and Broadway star with close ties to one of Canada's most successful families, and considered, by Lee Strasberg, to be one of the founding members of The Actor's Studio in New York City.-Early life and career:Born Cameron MacDowell Mitzel in...
,
Gerald McRaneyGerald Lee "Mac" McRaney is an American television and movie actor. McRaney is best known as one of the stars of the 1980s television shows Simon & Simon and Major Dad.-Early life:...
,
William DanielsWilliam David Daniels is an American actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild . He is known for his performances as John Adams in 1776, as Mr. Feeny in ABC's Boy Meets World, the voice of KITT in Knight Rider, and winning two Emmy Awards for the role of Dr. Mark Craig in St...
,
William WindomWilliam Windom was an American politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate as a Republican from Minnesota in the 36th,...
,
Martin KoveMartin Kove is an American actor who has appeared in both feature films and television series.-Film appearances:His best known roles may have been on the 1980s hit CBS television series Cagney & Lacey as Detective Victor Isbecki and in the 1984 hit film The Karate Kid as Cobra Kai Sensei John Kreese...
, Kathleen Lloyd,
Frank DekovaFrank Dekova was an Italian-American character actor.-Biography:Dekova was born in New York City and taught school at a school in New York before joining a Shakespeare repertory group...
,
Sheila LarkenSheila Larken is an American television actress.-Career:She is best known for playing the role of Margaret Scully on the popular The X-Files series....
,
Henry Polic IIHenry Polic II is a stage, screen, and voice actor best known for his role as Jerry Silver in the American 1980s television series Webster, as well as his frequent game show appearances on such series as Super Password and The $25,000 Pyramid...
, Eloy Casados,
Whit BissellWhitner Nutting "Whit" Bissell was an American actor.-Early life:Born in New York City, Bissell trained with the Carolina Playmakers, a theatrical organization associated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...
,
Austin StokerAustin Stoker is an American actor known for his role as Lt. Ethan Bishop, the police officer in charge of the besieged Precinct 9, Division 13, in John Carpenter's Howard Hawks-inspired, 1976 film, Assault on Precinct 13...
,
Jerry DouglasJerry Douglas is an American television and film actor. For the last two decades, Jerry Douglas has reigned in fictional Genoa City as patriarch John Abbott on the daytime television serial The Young and the Restless.-Early life:...
,
Lonny ChapmanLonny Chapman was an American television actor best known for his numerous guest star appearances on detective dramas, including Quincy, M.E., The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote, Matlock, and NYPD Blue...
,
John McIntireFor the fictional character, see Trapper John McIntyre. For the Scottish radiologist, see John Macintyre.John McIntire was an American character actor....
and his wife
Jeanette NolanJeanette Nolan was an American actress, born in Los Angeles, California.Miss Nolan was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles...
,
Mickey JonesMickey Jones is an American musician and actor. Jones' career as a drummer had him backing up such artists as Trini Lopez and Johnny Rivers. In 1966, he was the drummer backing Bob Dylan on his world tour, replacing the aggravated Levon Helm, with the other members of what would become The Band...
,
Sherman HemsleySherman Alexander Hemsley is an American actor, most famous for his role as George Jefferson on the CBS television series All in the Family and The Jeffersons and as Deacon Ernest Frye on Amen. He also played Earl Sinclair's horrifying boss, a Triceratops named B.P...
,
Robert HoganRobert J. Hogan is an American actor. While not a stranger to the big screen or the stage, Hogan is best known to audiences for his highly prolific career in American television which began in 1961...
,
Ned RomeroNed Romero is an American actor and opera singer who has appeared in television and film.Romero was born in Franklin, the seat of St. Mary Parish in South Louisiana, the son of Anna and Sidney Romero. His ancestry is Chitimacha Native American, as well as Spanish and French...
,
Peter BreckPeter Breck is an American actor who has played roles on television and in film.-Roles and career:...
,
Debbi MorganDeborah "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on the ABC soap opera All My Children, and for her role as The Seer in the fourth and fifth seasons of Charmed-Personal life:Morgan was born in Dunn, North Carolina, the...
,
Earl BillingsEarl William Billings is an American character actor who may best be known as Rob in the 1976-1977 television series What's Happening!!.-Life and career:Billings was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Willie Mae Billings....
,
Robert DonnerRobert Donner was an American actor who made many appearances in television series and films in a career spanning more than 40 years.-Early life and career:...
,
Loni AndersonLoni Kaye Anderson is an American actress best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the television sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and as a former wife of Burt Reynolds . Her divorce from Reynolds was a bitter, well-publicized debacle.-Early life:Anderson was born in St...
,
William BoyettWilliam Boyett was an American actor best known for his work as the low-key but authoritative Sergeant William "Mac" MacDonald on the police drama Adam-12. Adam-12 producer Jack Webb recommended him for the role after his performance in an episode of Webb's Dragnet, and Boyett stayed with the...
,
Monte MarkhamMonte Markham is an American character actor. During his career, Markham has appeared in film, in television, and on Broadway....
,
Jeremy BrettJeremy Brett , born Peter Jeremy William Huggins, was an English actor, most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in four Granada TV series.-Early life:...
,
Robert AldaRobert Alda , born Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo, was an American actor. He was the father of actor Alan Alda.-Life and career:...
,
Pamela Susan ShoopPamela Susan Shoop is an American character actress in film and on television. She often appeared in shows created by Glen A. Larson.Shoop's best known film role was in the 1981 horror film Halloween II, as Karen, a nurse...
,
Sondra CurrieSondra Marie Currie is an American actress.Currie was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Donald Currie and actress Marie Harmon, who made several movies in the 1940s. She is the sister of the twin singers Cherie Currie and Marie Currie. She began her acting career in several B movies...
,
Mackenzie PhillipsLaura Mackenzie Phillips is an American actress and singer best known for her roles in American Graffiti and as rebellious teenager Julie Cooper Horvath on the sitcom One Day at a Time.- Early life :...
,
Dick O'NeillDick O'Neill was an American stage, film and television character actor best known for playing Irish cops, fathers, judges and army generals. He began his acting career as an original company member of Arena Stage in Washington, DC.He served in the navy then returned to the theater. In the late...
,
Meshach TaylorMeshach Taylor is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Anthony Bouvier on the sitcom Designing Women. He also had a major role on the sitcom Dave's World, playing Sheldon Baylor, and appeared in Buffalo Bill.-Biography:Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of a...
,
Nicolas CosterNicolas Coster is a British-born American actor, most known for his work in daytime drama and as a character actor on nighttime television series.-Biography:...
,
Bob HastingsRobert Hastings is an American film, radio, and television character actor. He has also provided voices for animated cartoons,-Early life and career:...
,
Anne SchedeenLuanne Ruth Schedeen , known professionally as Anne Schedeen, is an American actress, perhaps best known for portraying Kate Tanner in the sitcom ALF, which ran from 1986 to 1990....
,
Eddie BarthEddie Barth is an actor and voice actor.Eddie Barth is most famous for his role as Myron Fowler, owner of Peerless Detectives and father of Jeannie Wilson who played Janet Fowler in the hit series Simon & Simon.-Films:*Babe: Pig in the City*The Amityville Horror*Shaft*Bananas*Osmosis Jones*Rover...
,
Don StroudDon Lee Stroud is an American actor and surfer who appeared in many films in the 1960s, '70s and '80s, and has starred in over 100 movies and 175 television shows to date.-Early life:...
, Wesley Thompson,
Michael ConradMichael Conrad was an American television actor who was born in New York. Conrad had a long acting career in television from the 1950s to the 1980s. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of veteran cop Phil Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues, in which he ended the introductory roll call to each...
,
June AllysonJune Allyson was an American film and television actress, popular in the 1940s and 1950s. She was a major MGM contract star. Allyson won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance in Too Young to Kiss...
, Alan Toy,
Dennis PatrickDennis Patrick was a well respected American character actor best known for his works in television shows like Dark Shadows, Somerset, and Dallas and movies like Joe...
,
Robin MattsonRobin Mattson is an American soap opera actress.She is arguably the best known character actress on daytime serials, with all of her roles proving to be extremely popular. Mattson was typically cast in supporting, "villainess" type roles, often incorporating other elements to her acting pallette...
,
Craig StevensCraig Stevens was an American motion picture and television actor.-Biography:Born Gail Shikles, Jr. in Liberty, Missouri, he studied dentistry at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, from which he received a bachelor's degree in 1936...
,
James B. SikkingJames Barrie Sikking is an American actor known for his role as Lt. Howard Hunter on the 1980s NBC TV series Hill Street Blues. He also starred on the ABC TV series Doogie Howser, M.D. as Dr. David Howser and on the short-lived 1997 CBS drama series Brooklyn South as Captain Stan Jonas...
,
Denny MillerDenny Scott Miller is an American actor, perhaps best known for his guest-starring roles on Gilligan's Island and as Tarzan in the late 1950s....
,
Shelley FabaresMichele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares is an American actress and singer. Fabares is known for her roles as Donna Reed's oldest child, Mary Stone, on The Donna Reed Show , and as Craig T. Nelson's love interest and eventual wife, Christine Armstrong Fox, on the sitcom Coach...
,
John AndersonJohn Anderson was an American actor.-Biography:Prior to a prolific acting career, Anderson served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II where he met artist Orazio Fumagalli who became one of his best lifelong friends.He was known for several roles, including his recurring and best...
,
Michael D. RobertsMichael D. Roberts is an American actor. He is known for his television role "Rooster" in the 1970s television series Baretta. Roberts also starred in the short-lived 1980s television series Manimal as Tyrone C. Earl. His first starring role was a guest appearance on the hit 1970s television...
, Don Roberts, Robert F. Lyons,
Stacy Keach, Sr.Stacy Keach, Sr. was the stage name of Walter Stacy Keach , an American actor whose screen career spanned six decades. He and his wife, Mary Cain , were members of the Peninsula Players summer theater program during the 1930s. He may be best known for his role as Carlson in the television show Get...
,
Lewis ArquetteLewis Michael Arquette was an American film actor, writer and producer. Arquette was known for playing "J.D. Pickett" on the TV series, The Waltons, where he worked from 1978–1981....
,
Peter Mark RichmanPeter Mark Richman is an American actor who has starred in films and on television. He was frequently credited as Mark Richman....
,
Diana MuldaurDiana Muldaur is an American film and television actress.-Career:Born in New York City, but raised in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Muldaur started acting in high school and continued on through college, graduating from Sweet Briar College in Virginia in 1960. She studied acting under Stella...
,
Edie McClurgEdie McClurg is an American character actress. She is known for her perky Upper Midwestern accent.-Career:McClurg began her career with a role in the 1976 Brian De Palma horror film Carrie as Helen Shyres, one of Carrie's classmates. In 1980, she was a regular performer on The David Letterman Show...
,
Kathleen NolanKathleen Nolan is an American actress.-Life and career:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she achieved fame as the first female President of the Screen Actors Guild...
,
Penny PeyserPenny Peyser is an actress. She graduated from Emerson College in Boston in 1973.-Career:Peyser is best known for her role as Cindy in the 1980s series Crazy Like a Fox...
,
Anne LockhartAnne Lockhart is an American actress.Lockhart was born Anne Kathleeen Maloney in New York City, the daughter of actress June Lockhart and Dr. John F. Maloney. She is also the granddaughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart...
, among many others.
Future
Falcon CrestFalcon Crest is an American primetime television soap opera which aired on the CBS network for nine seasons, from December 4, 1981 to May 17, 1990...
star
Susan SullivanSusan Michaela Sullivan is an American character actress, primarily known for her roles on sitcoms, soap operas and television...
had a major role in the original pilot and
Brett CullenPeter Brett Cullen is an American actor who has appeared in numerous motion pictures and television programs. Early in 2007, he was cast as the role of an estranged father to one of the American football players, Tim Riggins , in the NBC drama series Friday Night Lights.Cullen was born in Houston,...
, also of that prime-time soap opera, made a guest appearance on the show as well. Bixby's best friend's (
James GarnerJames Garner is an American film and television actor.He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
) longtime friend,
Jack KellyJack Kelly was an American film and television actor most noted for the role of Bart Maverick in the TV series Maverick, which ran on ABC from 1957 to 1962...
, made a guest appearance on one episode. The respective co-stars of Bixby's first two series,
Ray WalstonRay Walston was an American stage, television and film actor who played the title character on the situation comedy My Favorite Martian and Judge Henry Bone on the drama series Picket Fences.-Early life:...
(
My Favorite MartianMy Favorite Martian is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS from September 29, 1963 to May 1, 1966 for 107 episodes...
) and
Brandon CruzBrandon Edwin Cruz is an American former child actor and currently a punk rock musician and also works in television production. In the early 1970s, the freckled-faced Cruz came to prominence by playing Bill Bixby’s charming and conniving son, Eddie Corbett, in the comedy-drama The Courtship of...
(
The Courtship of Eddie's FatherThe Courtship of Eddie's Father is a American television comedy-drama based on the 1963 movie of the same name, based on a book written by Mark Toby, which had gained some respect in theaters...
), also made guest appearances on separate episodes, while
Lou FerrignoLouis "Lou" Jude Ferrigno is an American bodybuilder and actor. Ferrigno has appeared in such television series and movies as Bill Bixby's bulky alter ego, The Hulk, in The Incredible Hulk, Pumping Iron, Sinbad of the Seven Seas, Hercules, and most recently in the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man. He...
, who along with starring as the Hulk, appeared in one episode as a different character. Bixby's ex-wife
Brenda BenetBrenda Benet was an American television and film actress. Benet was best known for her roles on the soap operas The Young Marrieds and Days of our Lives.-Early life and career:...
also made a guest appearance on the show.
External links
(1977 TV film) (1977 TV film) (1978–1982 series)