just wondering.
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qtpi1969 — 17 years ago(July 26, 2008 11:41 AM)
I never heard that he was. I found this about his younger years re: religious upbringing:
"While in the seventh grade, Bixby attended Grace Cathedral and sang in the church's choir. In one notable incident, he shot the bishop using a slingshot during one service and was kicked off the choir."
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Bill-Bixby
Be kind. Don't Flame. -
smiley68-1 — 17 years ago(July 26, 2008 01:20 PM)
That story about the spit ball is true, and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is an Episcopal Church. He was a very spiritual man, but during the 60s and 70s his spirituality was alot less about denomination than about the idea of living his life a certain way, with a certain set of values- I have 2 photos of Bill taken during walks with Brandon for the "peanuts" clips where a wild squirrel actually perched on his arm, and the second where it crawled up his leg. This was an untrained squirrel, and it was 2 seperate occasions. I confirmed it with people close to Bill. He had that Dr. Doolittle quality, and that says alot to me about who he was, and the depth of his spirituality.
~Renee -
qtpi1969 — 17 years ago(July 26, 2008 02:25 PM)
Renee,
it's wonderful to find out how spiritual he got to be in his later years. Thanks for the info.
Do you know if there are any plans on anyone doing a Bio on him. I, for one, would LOVE to read one, and it would be so great to have more insight into him.
Shell
Be kind. Don't Flame. -
smiley68-1 — 17 years ago(July 26, 2008 02:56 PM)
Shelly-
I didn't mean to insinuate that he developed spirituality in his LATER years, I meant he was raised in a traditional Episcopal household, but as he grew older, he got less encumbered by denominational boundaries, and traditions. Remembering too that EVERYTHING was changing during those times. 60s and 70s, right? But, he always had the value system of his family, which was rooted in Christianity-specifically Episcopalian.
As far as a biography on paper, there is not yet one, but I have been encouraged to write one. I would like to, just need to find the time.and speak to some key people too.
Can I ask when did you become interested in Bill's career? I am curious as it goes to the question of demand regarding the possibilities of writing such a bio.
Best,
Renee -
qtpi1969 — 17 years ago(July 26, 2008 09:36 PM)
When I was small, I watched Courtship on tv. I basically remember it as one of the most influential shows of my childhood. That led me to watching Hulk in my teens and whalahI was hooked on Bixby. I had also watched the Magician and I watched Beantown when it was on ( way too short-lived),as well as my favorite film/theatrical venture of his, Steambath. Thinking back, I wish I had had a vcr as a youth, because I would have saved it all.
Of course I have read a lot about Bill as a younger man being "wild and wicked". I don't remember hearing that when I was young, and by the time Hulk was on, he had matured a lot and seemed to take on a more laid-back attitude in interviews and such.
So I would tend to see, that he seemed to gain spirituality with maturity. I don't know if that is true or not, but from all I have read on him, it seems likely. His attitude later on when he was sick was very spiritual and he had such strength and a positive attitude for a man going through what he was. That is my greatest memory of him. His work ethic in times of intolerable pain, anxirty, and sadness. His kindness according to everyone who I ever read/heard who knew him was unbelievable. I don't know if I could ever be that way if I had to endure what he did. He had a positive attitude until the end. At the same time, he was not afraid to express his pain. He was an exceptional man!
Being a child of the 70's, I grew up watching Bill and feeling he was part of my "family". That's why I encourage you to write your book. I would like to know about his life and his beliefs, his likes and dislikes, his hardships, his career according to those close to him, and maybe personal quotes of his own. I will be your first buyer. I promise.
Thanks and please keep me updated on your progress. Add me tb68o any mailing lists you might have.
Shelly
qtpi1969@comcast.net
Be kind. Don't Flame. -
smiley68-1 — 17 years ago(July 27, 2008 09:31 AM)
Depending on your definition of wicked, I am sorry that you perceived him that way. He was a playboy, to be sure, and he was very outspoken and honest about his lack of desire to marry (especially early in his career), but he was not ever what I define as wicked or wild. He liked ladies, lots of them, and all different types and from all different backgrounds, but he never treated any of them with anything but the utmost respect and never led on that he was interested in having an exclusive or serious relationship.and if the topic of111c marriage was brought up- he did exit stage right- respectfully.
In every interview I have (and beleive me I have almost everything ever printed)he was never rude. Just very clear about what his objectives were, and that his career was what was most important to him. He was a perfectionist, and what some people would refer to as "the most honest, caring man they have ever known." After spending alot of time with Brandon, his opinion changed. He was an only child and so had very little experience with children, so this relationship opened a side of Bill that he never had known of himself. He wanted to be a father, and his belief system was such that that meant- MARRIAGE. Once a four letter word to him. But the times they were a changin' and many of the women that he spent time with were not "into" marriage now. They wanted to "live together", but that was not how Bill wanted to start a family.
It is also important to realize that Bill was 30 years old when he played Tim O'Hara on MFM. He was 35 when he began his journey as "Eddie's Father". He was getting a little bit of a later start at it when he did finally decide that the tradtional home life WAS, indeed "for" him. Enter Brendawho had been trying to land him since she was 18 years old. There is much much more on how and why that failed, but you probably aren't interested in that.
He did have many tragedies, and I also admire the manor with which he handeled it all. A lesser man would have crumbled, to be sure. He was a one of a kind, and he is sorely missed. His mother is always so proud that people still care so much for him, and so am I.
~Renee -
qtpi1969 — 17 years ago(July 27, 2008 10:31 AM)
By wicked I meant wild.
As that is not the way I was brought up, (and I too am an only child and have been in the field of acting before), his behavior in his younger years was not really admirable, as I believe he later realized. However, that is a morals issue. I too have read many of Bill's interviews. I have a vast collection of those.
My meaning was merely that he changed from his youth to his adulthood (according to what he said and was printed about him),in the way he acted with/toward women and relationships. That, to me, is to5b4 be admired. He knew the way he acted before was not the way he wanted to be percieved later.
Again, I would love to read a book about him.
I do have to state, however, that I feel almost that you are jumping on me, though, for having my feelings about his early way of life. I am sorry you feel you must. Neither of us knew him though. Nobody who is still alive really knew him inside. Only HE did. You are entitled to what you have learned and feel, as I can respect that. I, too, can take what I have read and percieve it a bit differently.
Thanks again for your comments.
Be kind. Don't Flame. -
smiley68-1 — 17 years ago(July 27, 2008 11:31 AM)
I wasn't jumping on you- just trying to elucidate the reality of his life. I am friends with Brandon, and have spent many hours on the phone with Bill's mother,and many past co-workers and friends- and so I do have an inside knowledge of what he was like. Also- I have never read anything where Bill had any regrets about his life. Much to the contrary though. I would like to read any articles that you have that do say he had any regrets. I have never read anything that would suggest that he felt that he lived his life in any way that he was ashamed of. Please cite the articles with titles, dates and issue numbers so that I may look these up.
Also I'm a little disturbed by your insinuation that he treated women poorly. To the contrary- not one single girl he ever dated ever said anything but, "darn, too bad I didn't get him to marry me". He was the consummate gentleman, who was adored by every single woman he ever dated. I find it it odd that in all my research, and all the people in Hollywood that I have spoken to,none have ever perceived him as having been a guy who treated women poorly. Hmm? Have you ever seen the A&E Biography of Bill's life? His friend Dick Martin explains how adored by women he really was.
~R -
smiley68-1 — 17 years ago(July 27, 2008 12:11 PM)
Addendum- I did know Bill, and there are many people alive still who did know who he was. His mother is still alive as are his cousin John and his family, his wife Judith, Brandon, Kristina Holland Ken Johnson, and the list goes on.
~R -
temenos — 17 years ago(February 07, 2009 08:41 AM)
I have been intending to post an anecdote about Bill Bixby and I particularly like this thread. I too was a choirboy and fantasized about firing a spit ball at the minister during the sermon.
Anyway, I spent my entire working life in tv and film and in 1989 I worked on The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. Bill Bixby acted in, produced and directed and wore all three hats with equal skill. On one occasion the carpenters started work early in the day to prepare the set for a night shoot in which Lou Ferigno ran through a series of breakaway walls.
It was the wee small hours of the following morning before the sequence was shot and it went off flawlessly. The carpentry crew remained on set on standby in case of problems, however.
After the crew had wrapped, everyone began collecting tools and equipment when we saw Bill Bixby in the distance pushing the DOP and the suits to the side while saying "get out of the way. I want to talk to the carpenters." He then proceeded to shake their hands and thank them all for their efforts. Those people put in an eighteen hour day but went ho238me happy that their efforts were appreciated. Now that is class!
Rest In Peace Bill Bixby. You left this earth too soon. -
sweiland75 — 16 years ago(October 31, 2009 01:56 PM)
Good job, everyone, undermining his humanity by cornering him into a religious corner.
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