Bill Bixby

Bill Bixby, television actor, director and producer best known for his starring role as Dr. David Bruce Banner on "The Incredible Hulk," has died. He was 59. Bixby, who also starred in the series "My Favorite Martian" and "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," died Sunday afternoon at his home in Century City of cancer that had spread through his body during the past year. His wife, Judith Kliban-Bixby, was with him at the time of his death.

Bill Bixby, television actor, director and producer best known for his starring role as Dr. David Bruce Banner on "The Incredible Hulk," has died. He was 59. Bixby, who also starred in the series "My Favorite Martian" and "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," died Sunday afternoon at his home in Century City of cancer that had spread through his body during the past year. His wife, Judith Kliban-Bixby, was with him at the time of his death.

Please let Bill Bixby know that I think retiring the Incredible Hulk is a drastic mistake. I for one have missed the program immensely. It is the Superman type of program that everyone loves. It's good, clean, exciting entertainment, and I wish it was a weekly program again. If not weekly, then maybe quarterly episodes. Please advise Mr. Bixby of this, and maybe he can bring him back to life. Sandra Lea, Rancho Palos Verdes

"The Elvis Conspiracy," shown locally Jan. 22, repeated rumors that Elvis Presley may be alive . . . perhaps as a ward of the Federal Witness Protection Program. Is there no end to the number of people trying to feed off this man's legacy? For several years, I worked closely with Elvis as his opening act and friend. I gave the eulogy at his funeral. I saw the body in the casket. I can never forget their faces as Priscilla told her young daughter that "Daddy died . . . he's gone to be with God."

"The Elvis Conspiracy," shown locally Jan. 22, repeated rumors that Elvis Presley may be alive . . . perhaps as a ward of the Federal Witness Protection Program. Is there no end to the number of people trying to feed off this man's legacy? For several years, I worked closely with Elvis as his opening act and friend. I gave the eulogy at his funeral. I saw the body in the casket. I can never forget their faces as Priscilla told her young daughter that "Daddy died . . . he's gone to be with God."

There may still be a few cynics out there in TV land who don't believe that Elvis Presley may be alive and well and living in Kalamazoo, but former Presley pal Bill Bixby is not among them. "I am no more embarrassed this time than I was the first time," Bixby said of his second prime-time special in six months on questions surrounding the King's apparent death 14 years ago.

"The Incredible Hulk" will rise again. Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, who reprised their former CBS roles for a top-rated NBC movie last season, will be playing them again for NBC in "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk." Bixby is executive producer in addition to playing scientist David Banner who is transformed into the Hulk. This time out, the Hulk (Ferrigno) is accused of attacking a woman he attempts to defend. No air date has been set.

Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno will again play the roles they established in "The Incredible Hulk" TV series in a third TV movie of the characters created in the comic strip by Stan Lee. Titled "The Death of the Incredible Hulk," the new two-hour film will be broadcast sometime this spring. Bixby will be executive producer and director.

Naming Names: Actor-director Bill Bixby has been set to direct multiple episodes of "Blossom," which is heading for its third year on NBC. Ted Wass, who stars as "Blossom's" father, and executive producer-creator Don Reo also will direct several episodes. . . . Larry Strichman, an executive with CBS since 1981, is moving to RHI Entertainment as executive vice president, creative affairs, effective Aug. 1.

True Confessions is coming to television. The venerable (in its 64th year) romance mag with the teary first-person tales and tantalizing headlines ("He Can Never Really Be Mine--But When I'm in His Arms I Don't Care!") will air as a daily syndicated half-hour series, probably in September. "Each day we'll tell a complete story. We'll begin with some sort of problem, and we'll lead to a resolution.

There may still be a few cynics out there in TV land who don't believe that Elvis Presley may be alive and well and living in Kalamazoo, but former Presley pal Bill Bixby is not among them. "I am no more embarrassed this time than I was the first time," Bixby said of his second prime-time special in six months on questions surrounding the King's apparent death 14 years ago.

Please let Bill Bixby know that I think retiring the Incredible Hulk is a drastic mistake. I for one have missed the program immensely. It is the Superman type of program that everyone loves. It's good, clean, exciting entertainment, and I wish it was a weekly program again. If not weekly, then maybe quarterly episodes. Please advise Mr. Bixby of this, and maybe he can bring him back to life. Sandra Lea, Rancho Palos Verdes

Incredibly, the Hulk is dead. At least he will be after NBC airs "The Death of the Incredible Hulk" on Sunday. Any chance that at some future ratings crisis the network could revive the not-so-jolly green giant? "I don't see how," said the Hulk's alter ego, Lou Ferrigno. "The way he dies in the show--he falls to his death and breaks his neck --I don't know how they could bring him back.