Calling all Bill Bixby fans
A kind-hearted, TV-loving woman in Watertown, N.Y., is orchestrating an elaborate campaign to get some overdue recognition for one of television's most active players in the 1960s, '70s and '80s.
Bill Bixby (pictured far left) was one of those actors who seemed to be everywhere on TV when I was a kid: "Courtship of Eddie's Father" reruns, "Love, American Style" reruns, "My Favorite Martian" reruns, countless TV movies and series guest shots, and, of course, "The Incredible Hulk," a show that was well-placed on CBS' Friday night sked so that pre-teens could stay up for it. (I'm not too proud to admit that it scared me when I was about 8.)
Bixby died young, at age 59 in November 1993, the victim of a late diagnosis of prostate cancer. He was nominated three times for Emmy glory during his 30 years in television -- once for "Courtship" and twice in 1976, for a guest shot on "The Streets of San Francisco," and for his role in the mammoth hit mini "Rich Man, Poor Man." But for all of his work as an actor and director (his interest in helming began during his "Martian" chronicles), Bixby never took home the gold. Renee Tufo thinks this is just plain wrong.
Tufo was spurred to launch her campaign to get Bixby inducted into the TV Academy's Hall of Fame about 18 months ago after taking in a TV airing of the 1975 pic "The Apple Dumpling Gang" with her son. Seeing Bixby in that G-rated Disney feature opposite Tim Conway and Don Knotts reminded her of how much she loved him in "Martian" (CBS, 1963-66) and "Courtship" (ABC, 1969-72) and the little-remembered 1973-74 NBC drama "The Magician," among many other film and TV projects over the years. (Who would've ever predicted back in the day that Bixby's "Martian" costar Ray Walston would outlive him by more than six years.)
Tufo's not a rabid-fan type by nature. She's a dental hygienist in upstate New York who also helps run a restaurant that her family owns, Bernardo's Pizzeria (delivery service to Watertown, Dexter, Brownville, Glen Park and surrounding areas).Tufo never met Bixby, but she had a soft spot for him that she never fully appreciated until she Googled him, post-"Apple Dumpling" viewing. She was reminded of his untimely passing, and the tragic death in 1981of his 7-year-old son with his first wife, actress Brenda Benet, who committed suicide the following year.
"I just started looking up things about (Bixby) and his career, and all I could think of was 'What a loss,'" 
Tufo says. "I'd forgotten how good all those old shows were. And I thought he should at least have a lifetime achievement award or something."
A little more research led Tufo to the TV Academy's Hall of Fame. She became even more determined in her effort to secure him a spot after contacting the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and learning that individuals, even non-pros, are welcome to submit suggestions for inductees. Per ATAS, the induction process is not necessarily an annual event, and it's likely that no new members will be admitted this year, in part because of recent turnover on the selection committee. But when they do get down to selecting the next batch, Tufo will be ready. She's got nearly 400 signatures already from an online petition posted for the past year on her Bill Bixby tribute Web page (where you can hear Harry Nilsson's catchy "People let me tell ya 'bout my best friend" theme song for "Courtship"). She's also enlisted the help of Bixby compatriots, including Brandon Cruz, who played Bixby's son on "Courtship" and remained a close friend of his; and "Hulk" exec producer Kenneth Johnson.
"The more I got into this, the more it seemed like it wasn't impossible to do this," Tufo says. "Everybody that knew him that I've reached has wanted to help."
In his final months, Bixby worked as the house director on the NBC sitcom "Blossom." Some of those who worked with him during that period remember him as a gentle soul -- the kind of guy who extended the same respect to lower-level staffers as he did to exec producers -- with fantastic TV instincts honed over a long and varied career.
Sure sounds like Hall of Fame material to me.
Cynthia Littleton is deputy editor, news development at Variety and a veteran television reporter.
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Bill Bixby was an amazing man and definitely deserving of an Emmy. Kudos to the woman who's working so hard to get him what he deserves.
I urge everyone to sign the petition.
Posted by: Maluka | July 11, 2007 at 08:52 AM
I remember!
We just saw ClamBake a movie with Elvis and he was in it. They raced speed boats, he was young and hot!
Posted by: Anita Haas | July 11, 2007 at 12:00 PM
I loved all his work, especially The Courtship of Eddie's Father. I read somewhere that knowing Brandon Cruz made him want to have children.
There's a Courtship profile on MySpace --
http://www.myspace.com/officialeddiesfather
Bill Bixby would be very proud to know people care about him so much. Hats off to Renee Tufo!
Posted by: Brenda | July 11, 2007 at 02:12 PM
This is a wonderful idea. He deserves an Emmy and his work justifies that. He was/is one of my very favorite actors and I have this feeling that he was a very nice person.
I hope a lot of people sign the petition.
Posted by: moralee | July 13, 2007 at 12:19 AM
Happy New Year.
I found Bill Bixby a great inspiration.
I hope he gets all the credit he genuinely deserves.
When I heard Bill Bixby had passed away my world was shattered and my life had a big hole in it. I first saw this wonderful actor 33 years ago and at a distance he changed my life.
Now, I feel the pain as an adult but it is a comfort that other people care about him in their own way. The pain in myself was I did not have the outlet to tell anyone just how much he was the perfect man to me. This sounds immature now but as a young lady I just wanted to let him know how much I cared.
Thanx for the chance to say this and all the best in this venture. x
Posted by: Annie | January 03, 2008 at 01:11 PM
There's a petition out there for Bixby's under-acclaimed yet wonderful TV series, "The Magician" (1973), his best work IMHO. Please sign it and spread the word. This DVD is unlikely to see the light of day without petition support. http://petitiononline.com/TMDvD1/
Posted by: The Magician | January 06, 2008 at 03:23 AM
I remberseeing him in a Twilight Zone episode from 1959. He must have died a wealthy man from all of the shows he did. any Idea? Was he married when he died?
Posted by: Richard | June 01, 2008 at 08:59 PM
The episode you are recalling was "the Thirty-Fathom Grave", and it aired originally in 1963, but can be seen OFTEN on the Sci-Fi channel. It was one of the many shows he was on, early in his career. He played parts on almost of of TVs BIG shows beginning in 1961, and he never quit bringing us EXCELLENT TV!....and yes he had been married just prior to his death to his 3rd wife, Judith Kliban.
Posted by: Renee Tufo | June 02, 2008 at 09:23 AM
I would love to see mr Bill Bixby Inducted into the Emmy Hall OF FAME, I cant think of anyone more deserving than this multi-talented and gracious human being.I am touched and not the least bit surprised how many people appreciated Mr. Bixby and how many of us miss him still. I guess I am lucky though I have a father who is the spitting image of Mr. Bixby and posseses the same gentile compassionate and grace that I truly cherish. I am indeed blessed as many of us were to have had the honor of watching "The Great Bill Bixby". God rest his soul.
Posted by: Bryan Rodriguez | June 10, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Bill Bixby was one of the most inspirational men in all television history, but he was inspirational when it came to his personal tragedies and how he dealt with them also, I respect this man tremendously and he deserves his rightful place in the Emmy Hall of Fame.
Posted by: Melody Goodman | June 14, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Yes indeed, Bill Bixby was a wonderful actor and director, but most of all a wonderful human being. I agree completely with the use of the word "inspirational" to describe this great man. He most definitely ought to be inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Posted by: David Giles | June 19, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Yes he was. Please keep leaving comments, and keep forwarding the info on the campaign to friends and family. The more signatures the better...and the more publicity the better.
Best wishes,
Renee Tufo
Posted by: Renee Tufo | June 22, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Thank you Renee, he certainly deserves the recognition you are striving for.
Posted by: Robert H. Tufo | August 13, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Bill Bixby is a great actor! He deserves his name added to the Hall of Fame. wonderful!!!
Posted by: Marcia Rodrigues Gonçalves | January 12, 2009 at 05:24 AM
Bill Bixby: Thanks for everything!!!!!
God bless you!
Posted by: Marcia Rodrigues Gonçalves | January 15, 2009 at 05:04 AM
DO IT!
Add Bill Bixby to the Emmy Hall of Fame. He deserves it!!!
A great man with a nice smile! A great actor and person!
I love Bill! God Bless You!
Brazilian fan of Bill.
Posted by: Marcia R. Gonçalves | January 19, 2009 at 11:31 AM
People let me tell you about my best friend...
Posted by: Marcia R. Gonçalves | January 24, 2009 at 04:33 AM
I would like to see Brandon Cruz accept the award for Bill Bixby.
Posted by: Marcia Rodrigues Gonçalves | January 26, 2009 at 03:48 AM
Hello!
Bill Bixby was the father, I always wanted to have!
Brazilian fan of Bill
Posted by: Marcia | January 28, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Hello!
I will never forget Bill Bixby!!!!
Brazilian fan of Bill
Rio de Janeiro
Posted by: Marcia | February 01, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Hello!
Please! vote for Bill Bixby!!!!
God bless!
Brazilian fan of Bill
Rio de janeiro -Brasil
Posted by: Marcia | February 08, 2009 at 08:10 AM
Hello!
I would be very glad, If Bill Bixby to get the award this year yet. God knows he deserves it.
Brazilian fan of Bill
bye!
Posted by: Marcia | February 17, 2009 at 05:12 AM
I would be very pleased to see Bill Bixby get this award..
He has given countless people many years of enjoyment with his craft.. One of my favorites...
Thanks..Renee
Steve From Watertown,NY
Posted by: Steve . From Watertown, NY | February 19, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Bill Bixby will always live on in my heart!
wonderful actor. forever!
God Bless
Posted by: Marcia from Rio de Janeiro | February 21, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Hello!
Words can not express what a lovely man Bill Bixby was!
and , a great human being too. Please, invite Brandon to accept the Emmy Award...
God Bless.
thank you.
Posted by: Marcia . From Rio de Janeiro | March 07, 2009 at 05:56 AM