Guest TV Appearances

The Philco Television Playhouse: Romeo and Juliet(1949): This was Bill’s first tv appearance. It also co-starred actress Patricia Breslin as Juliet. Ironically Bill and Patricia had performed as Romeo and Juliet a few months earlier at Fordham University. However, the Romeo part for TV was given to actor Kevin McCarthy (“Invasion of the Body Snatchers”) who was a good friend of Bill’s. Bill played Tybalt. It was shot live at Fordham. The live performance utilized an arena-style performance,a sparse set and just a black curtain. It was an experimental form called Arena Theatre of the Air. It also utilized a multi camera system to capture several angles. The play was condensed into a mere 60 minutes. However there was plenty of pageantry and sword play. Bill received raves for being a brash Tybalt, sporting a thin moustache and beard.

Martin Kane, Private Eye(1949-1951): The show started on radio before transitioning to live tv. William Gargan played the title role but was replaced by other actors during the show’s run. Again there is no information about Bill’s episode other than he appeared on the show between 1949 and early 1951.

Famous Jury Trials(1949-1951): This dramatized courtroom show started on radio in 1936 until it became a live tv show in 1949. It then became a movie in 1971. Again no information on Bill’s episode but his appearance was between 1949 and 1951.

The Philco Television Playhouse: Pretty Little Parlor (1949): A woman, Clotilde, wants money, power, and social standings. So she destroys her husband then she destroys the relationship between her step-daughter and fiance, Dennis Baldwin. When they break up, Clotilde sets up her blood daughter with Dennis and the two marry. However the daughter ends up dead which doesn’t stop Clotilde from hitting on her own son-in-law. The story takes place at a party in the Pretty Little Parlor and, after the murder, everyone becomes a suspect. Bill played the lucky fiance turned son-in-law, Dennis Baldwin. Sadly there is no known kinescope of the episode.

Studio One: The Scarlet Letter(1950): Bill called this THE low point in his career because he played a pilgrim that walked a goat across the stage. Sad part…Bill got paid $15 and the goat got $25. Although the more Bill told the story over the years, the more the goat’s pay went up! Bill said he didn’t have any dialogue but he actually did. Besides chiming in a chorus of raucous citizens he yelled the line, “They are both to be hanged!” Actor John Ericson also appeared in this play. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “The Virginian” called The Politician, an episode of “Fantasy Island” called Daddy’s Little Girl and an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Joshua Peabody Died Here…Possibly.

Light’s Out: The Heart of Jonathan O’Rourke(1950:) Based on a radio anthology, this show explored very suspenseful stories. For this episode the main character is dying and wills his heart to science. After the death, the heart is put in a machine for observation yet can still beat when the machine is turned off. What’s more…O’Rourke is still alive without his heart. There is no information about Bill’s role. This episode was reportedly part of Season 1 and almost all of them were not archived including this episode.

Cameo Theatre(1950-1951): It introduced a theater-in-the-round concept to tv viewers. It was produced by Bill’s friend Albert McCleery. The show appeared on NBC for 4 season. Bill appeared on this live show between ’50 and ’51 but there is no further information about the episode.

Masterpiece Playhouse: Richard III(1950): The role that started it all, now Bill was able to play it on television. His most favorite role. However it was also compressed into an hour and the critic panned it in review. He said Bill, “leered and grimaced but never succeeded in portraying the bitterness and rancor.”

Tom Corbin, Space Cadet(1950-1955): It was a soap opera based in space. Bill guest starred on the show. There’s no information about what character he played. The show was originally 15 minutes and later episodes were lengthened to 30 minutes.

Robert Montgomery Presents: Kiss and Tell(1951): Hosted by the actor, Robert Montgomery, he sometimes participated while other times he interviewed actors. The first of Bill’s four appearances. The story focused on a young girl who promises to keep her brother’s new marriage a secret. No information about Bill’s role. The show was also known as “Lucky Strike Theatre” since the cigarettes were the show’s sponsor.

The Plainclothesmen(1951): A detective show that ran on the Dumont network. Bill appeared in an episode entitled Murder by Neglect on January 10.

The Secret Storm(1954 or 1955): A CBS soap opera that was on live tv, starting in 1954. It was about the Ames family and their lives and loves.The show was 15 minutes long then ran 30 minutes in later years. It’s not known who Bill played in the show, he just described the character as a “tortured soul.”

**The Brighter Day(1954?): According to the book, “Soap World” by Robert LaGuardia, Bill is listed as appearing in this P&G soap opera that also featured Hal Holbrook. It was taped in New York before it moved to California in 1961. Bill said he was in “Secret Storm” around this time and never listed “Brighter” in his resume, but, he appeared in so many things the appearance may not have made his resume. This role cannot be confirmed.

Omnibus: The Lives of Henry Adams and Charles Francis Adams, jr.(1955): This was a live TV show that focused on original plays, stories of science and the arts. This episode was one of at least four that focused on the Adams political family especially Henry Adams and Charles Francis Adams, jr. No information about Bill’s role.

Omnibus:Henry Adams(1955): The fourth episode about this historic family. Again no information on Bill’s role.

Robert Montgomery Presents:The Drifter(1955): Appearance 2/4. In this episode, a Civil War veteran and a saloon gal are awarded a stage line by its dying owner. No information about Bill’s role.

Appointment With Adventure:Relative Strangers(1955): The story starts off in Denmark when a husband, his wife and his brother plan to kill their cousin’s daughter, Helen. She’s played by Elizabeth Montgomery (“Bewitched”). The three want to steal her inheritance. Bill played Dan Vance, Helen’s ex-boyfriend whom she reunites with on a train. They agree to have dinner together at some point and Helen drops a medallion. Dan picks it up and tries to return it to her. Soon he learns about the plan Helen’s relatives are hatching. He manages to save her and they are able to escape.

Robert Montgomery Presents: Tomorrow is Forever(1955): Appearance 3/4. A woman tries to get on with her life after her husband is presumed dead in the war. So she remarries but her first husband returns. It’s unclear if Bill was husband #1 or #2.

Robert Montgomery Presents: The Grand Prize(1957): Appearance 4/4. The story of a secretary who wins a TV game show. The prize? SHE becomes the boss of her boss for 24 hours. No information about Bill’s role in this performance. He did appear in the stage production in 1955 where he was the game show MC.

Hotel Cosmopolitan(1957): It was a live TV soap opera about the goings-on inside a big city hotel but seen through the eyes of an actor, Donald Wood. In a 1973 interview with Bill, “The Cincinnati Enquirer” reporter printed that: 1) Bill played the house detective (it was played by another actor), 2) the show aired in 1952 (the show didn’t air on tv until 1957) and 3) he called the series “Hotel Metropolitan.” There is no information on Bill’s role. The newspaper said he worked on the show for 12 weeks. Another newspaper confirmed Bill was on the show but did not provide details on the character’s name.

Hallmark Hall of Fame:Dial M for Murder(TV movie version)(1958): This is the TV movie version. The plot involves Tony Wendice. He has expensive taste and also has a rich wife who’s having an affair. Bill played the lover, Max Halliday, who is a science fiction writer. Wendice hires his old school chum, Lesgate, to kill Mrs. Wendice. However, she ends up killing Lesgate in self defense. Wendice then tries to frame his wife for murder and it’s up to Halliday and the police to clear her. Because this was a live performance (no option for flashbacks) or perhaps because it was a Hallmark production, the romance between Margot Wendice and Max was not portrayed. We hear about the romance/affair through Tony’s discussion with Lesgate and there is a scene with Max holding Margot longingly but nothing more romantic than that.

Maxwell House Commercial(late 50s or early 60s): Bill appeared in this commercial as a husband sitting at the table with his wife. Neither have any lines, only the voice-over actor.

Play of the Week:Seven Times Monday(1960): An anthology series that featured a different play each week. This play featured legends Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee as the leads. Davis’ character is stuck as the boss at a local factory. However he’s always dreamed of becoming a police officer but that might not come true due the responsibilities to his wife and family. Bill played Bob but no information about the character’s role. This play came out during the rising civil rights movement. The play’s creator Ely Landau, cast the play with African American leads instead of Jewish leads (the original ethnicity of the main characters). Landau didn’t change a word of the play and did not let the newspaper know out of concern for his experiment. His goal was that all families, regardless of color, have the same problems. It also led to some tense scenes such as a white woman giving Davis’ character a kiss on the cheek, the fact that his character was foreman over white workers and his confrontation with his white boss.

Guestward Ho!: The Christmas Spirit(1960): This was Bill’s FIRST tv/movie role in Hollywood. It’s unclear what brought him to California since he was still living and working in NYC theatre. Bill did come to (and eventually remain) California to appear in the play “U.S.A.” by Dos Pasos but that wasn’t until 1961. “Guestward Ho” was a Desilu production. The show is about a family who leaves the city life behind to buy a dude ranch. No information about the plot of the episode or Bill’s role.

Armstrong Circle Theatre: Black Market Babies( January 1961): A series of documentary dramas based on real stories. The plot involved a woman, who has been turned down by an adoption agency, and a pregnant woman who wants to give her baby up. They both meet through the black market. Bill was in the show about five minutes. He played special Agent Carl Forrest who explained to a police officer how the black marker baby scheme works. Bill utilized his love of pipes by having his character smoke a pipe. Originally the show was done live at a studio in New York City but in later years it was filmed.

Playwright at Work:James Lee(March 1961): A 30 minute show that focused on a different playwright. The show was taped in New York and it was hosted by New York producer-director Frank Perry. In this episode, actor-playwright James Lee was showcasing his new production, “The Golden Days.” In the beginning he’s being interviewed as the two actors and director are on a bare-bones stage behind. Bill was one of the actors along with Jane Hoffmann. Bill could be seen smoking on his pipe just before the scene started. He played Blaine, a young man who never succeeds no matter how hard he tries. When the audience meets him, Blaine is talking about being a failure at his age of almost 30. Then we meet his Aunt Vy who overhears the young man but doesn’t let him know. Blaine is trying to find a job by writing letters to several businesses. His aunt tells him a sad story and Blaine begins to cry. Jane Hoffman played Aunt Vy. This show was produced by the predecessor of PBS, in this case WNET, and they broadcast the show in big cities like San Francisco, Pittsburgh, etc. Shortly after this, Bill made the permanent move to California. He mentioned that in April he was offered a role in “Gunsmoke.”

The Detectives: Tobey’s Place(1961): A series about Capt. Matt Holbrook and the fictional city in which he fights crime. In this episode, Holbrook is not too happy one of his sergeants, Steve Nelson, hangs out at a coffee house. The owner, Mr. Tobey, tries to keep trouble down at his place but one night, the police are called in for a fight. Tobey is a beatnik and his daughter works for him. Tobey has a criminal history that his daughter doesn’t know about. One day, Tobey’s friend from the old days, Benjy, says he needs help hiding out. He saw a gangland killing and now he’s a target. A criminal named Mr. Whiting sends 2 hit-men including Mr. Sutter, to kill Benjy. The hit is successful but the police think Tobey did it. Tobey reveals his past and remembers Benjy talking about Mr. Whiting. The next day the newspaper reports a murder at Tobey’s but says the victim was an artist. Whiting thinks his men screwed up and Sutter swears that he did kill Benjy. Because the police believe Tobey, they planted the story knowing Sutter would return to finish the job. When he does, the police surround him but he takes Tobey’s daughter hostage. Nelson and his partner are able to corner Sutter and he and Nelson end up fighting, crashing through a balcony and into a pond below. Bill played Sutter with pure cockiness. This would be the first time Bill would appear with Robert Taylor. They later worked together on the western “Cattle King.” This was one of Bill’s very-early Hollywood performances. He is wearing a wedding band, which would be of no consequence to his character. It’s possible Bill forgot and kept it on. He was married to his second wife at the time but separated by living on two different coasts. It was around this time of the show that Bill says the marriage was falling apart.

The New Breed: The Compulsion to Confess(1961): Several workers at an electronics firm are dying and the motive is unclear. However, the killer may actually want to be caught by police. Bill played Warren Giles, one of the workers and one of the victims. Bill got a chance to work with Harold J. Stone who he’d later work with on “My World…” Telly “Kojak” Savalas appeared as the psychiatrist. Bill would later appear in a very bittersweet episode of “Kojak” called Once More From Birdland. Also, actor Leslie Nielsen (“The Naked Gun”) worked with Bill on this episode. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Steve, Boy Bohemian where Nielsen would play a beat poet who encourages Steve to leave school. Bill and Leslie would also work on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Dead Man’s Gold where Leslie played Jessica’s old flame. In “The New Breed” Bill’s character is shot in the back. Bill said in his autobiography that he hated when his characters had to be shot. It was not fun to perform.

Checkmate: Through A Dark Glass(1961): The show involved two men who ran an expensive P.I. office with the help of a British criminologist played by Sebastian Cabot (“Family Affair”). A journalist, Gina (pronounced Jenna) Burton, has some compromising photos of the goings on at a men’s club. When an intruder tries to steal the photos the journalist is injured when acid gets thrown in her face. Burton hires the PIs to help protect her as she is now permanently blind. Apparently the club was a bordello where men paid a membership fee to the owner, a well-known racketeering man named Leopold Bass. A mystery man named Peter Morell shows up to see if Burton is taken care of. After all, Morell has some high-profile clients who’s reputations are at stake. Bass says she was blinded and there were no signs of the pictures. However, Morell wasn’t satisfied and he’s still looking for the photos. He visits Gina in rehab and pretends to be a psychologist, Dr. Manning, who claims he cacnd restore her sight. PI Corey is suspicious of Dr. Manning and tells Gina not to trust him. Manning/Morell takes Gina to the club and hopes to find out how much the PI’s know. Gina eventually learns who Morell is and he and Bass are deciding what to do with her. She admits the PIs and the police took all her photos and negatives. Morell believes her and finds it unecessary to kill her. When Morell tries to take Gina back to her new hom Bass kills him. Then Corey arrives just in time before Gina is killed. Bill played Peter Morrell. This is the first time Bill worked with actor Doug McClure whom he worked with on four episodes of “The Virginian.”

Cheyenne: Legacy of the Lost(1961): The character, Cheyenne (Clint Walker), learns he may be the long lost son of a wealthy man. However he doubts this when he learns the family hates Cheyenne’s native father, White Cloud, who raised Cheyenne with the Cheyenne tribe. Meanwhile, tracker Dennis Carter is hired by the wealthy man to find his long lost son, Cheyenne. Carter shows up to White Cloud’s camp asking about Cheyenne. Carter also knows Cheyenne is not the true son but keeps this from everyone. In the end, Carter tries to swindle Cheyenne but gets a bullet in the back for his troubles. Bill played the coniving tracker Dennis Carter.

Ben Casey: The Sweet Kiss of Madness(1961): This episode focused on a neurosurgeon, Dr. Alan Reynolds, who is undergoing a breakdown due to his pushy wife. At one point , a psychiatrist named Dr. Owens calls Reynolds to check in on a psychiatric patient at a local institution. Owens himself makes some observations about Reynolds and is convinced the surgeon has issues. Meanwhile, Reynolds is slipping and it only gets worse when he’s called to the home of a young patient who has a severe head injury after allegedly falling off a bike. He sends the boy to the hospital knowing there’s a history of child abuse in the family. Meanwhile, Reynolds end up getting into a car accident before he can meet the boy at the hospital. However, Casey is there and learns the boy was beaten by his father. Later, Reynold’s madness grows and he suddenly thinks the boy needs immediate surgery. Casey arrives just in time to stop Reynolds as he the surgery would have caused more damage. Fast forward a few weeks and Casey and Mrs. Reynolds are at Dr. Owens office. There Casey rips the wife over her own selfishness and claims she is the reason her husband cracked. She was always pushing him to take more work for prestige. Owens reassures her that her husband has been doing well while under treatment. He even throws out his wife when she visits him in his room. It appears Dr. Reynolds is on the way to recovery. Bill worked with actress Patricia Barry in this episode. That same year they played a bickering husband and wife on an episode of “The Donna Reed Show” called All is Forgiven. They would also work together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Rendezvous for Two. This is the first time Bill worked with actor Arthur Hill. They would later work on a two-part episode of “The F.B.I.” called By Force and Violence. Actor Roger Mobley plays the young boy. He would later appear in an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Follow The Leader.

Gunsmoke: Nina’s Revenge(1961): Bill’s first of 3 appearances on the show. In this episode Bill played Lee Sharkey an abusive homesteader who prefers to loaf around and drink than do any real work. At first he and his wife, Nina, are in Dodge and Lee tries to beat his wife for questioining his trip to the saloon. Meanwhile Kitty talks to Nina to offer help. At the saloon Lee meets Jim Garza and offers him a job: watch over Nina while Lee goes away for two weeks. When he returns he’ll accuse Jim of going after Nina. Lee will threaten Nina’s rich father with the rumor of his daughter being an adulteress unless he pays Lee and Jim blackmail money. Jim agrees to take the job, however he and Nina fall in love and they plan to get married. When Lee comes home, he notices a change in Nina. She informs him Jim told her about their little scheme. Angrily Lee goes to Dodge to hire a gunman, Blucher, to kill Jim. Blucher and Jim meet each other and exchange a few insults before agreeing on a gunfight. The viewers don’t see it but Blucher kills Jim and heads to the Sharkey home for his payment. Nina overhears and is overcome with shock. She confronts Lee about being responsible for Jim’s death and shoots him. Meanwhile Matt shows up to arrest Blucher and witnesses what Nina did to her husband. Matt says she must come with him but she’s convinced Jim is still alive and they will marry. She’s in complete shock. This is the first time Bill worked with Johnny Seven (Blucher). They later work on an “Ironside” episode called Achille’s Heel. Interesting note, Bill said he was never the type to ask a director, “What’s my motivation?” However Bill admits he always needed to do something in his scenes. In this episode there is a scene where Lee is just sitting and waiting for the Marshal. Bill asked the director (jokingly) “Can’t I kick a dog or something?” The director asked Bill to just do the lines. In the book, “Gunsmoke the Complete Compendium,” Bill recalled that in a scene where Chester grabs Lee, Bill decided to go after Chester with an axe handle. Bill also joked this was the first time horse dung appeared on camera as the show was very concerned with showing any excrement. Bill even said the director allowed him some creativity when it came to dying…hence Bill’s other nickname, Mr Flip Flop. This was Bill’s first time working with Lois Nettleton. They later worked together in the film “Echoes of Summer” and would work with the theater group CART.

Surfside 6:The Affairs at the Hotel Delight(1961): Bill’s first of two appearances. The show focused on a group of P.I.’s who live on a houseboat in Miami. In this episode, detective Ken Madison is staying at a rural hotel where he must deal with the cranky manager, a girl who keeps fainting and a group of idiotic kidnappers. Apparently the girl’s husband, Val, also called Handsome in the episode, has been kidnapped so the girl sold her farmland to raise the ransom. Turns out, it was all a ruse. Val made the girl, Lavender (also referred to as Lady), only think he was kidnapped. He really left her and just wanted the money. Val even convinced two idiots, Shrewdie and Boffo, to go in on the fake kidnapping and then they’d share the ransom. In the end, Ken knocks out Val and offers the kidnappers as deal. Bill played one of the dumb kidnappers, Shrewdie McDoug. This was one of many pre-” The Farmer’s Daughter” roles where Bill sported a southern accent (his maternal relatives were from the South). He also chewed on a toothpick which he sometimes did for other characters over the years. This was Bill’s first time working with Leslie Parrish. He worked with her on the film “For Love or Money,” on an episode of “Mannix” called The Girl in the Frame and and an episode of “The Wild, Wild West” called The Night of the Flying Pie Plate.

The Donna Reed Show: All is Forgiven(1961): Bill’s first of two appearances. Donna and Alex have dinner one night with their neighbors, Millie and Ed. However things get intense when the lovebirds begin a fight over nothing and then threaten to divorce. The Stones use some conniving to convince Millie and Ed to come to dinner. There’s also the matter of a baby staying at the Stone home. Millie and Ed bond over the baby and forgive each other. Bill played Ed Corwin the neighbor who completely melts when he holds the baby. It’s fun to watch him with the baby as Bill did not become a first-time father until 1964. Once again Bill worked with actress Patricia Barry (Millie). They would work the same year on an episode of “Ben Casey” called the Sweet Kiss of Madness and later on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Rendezvous For Two. Bill and Carl Betz (Alex Stone) were good friends. Bill and Carl later worked together on an episode of “Judd, For the Defense” called Commitment. Bill even did a last-minute Thurber show at a college when Betz got sick. Bill said Betz did a similar favor for him. Bill also attended Betz’s funeral.

The Twilight Zone: Five Characters in Search of an Exit(1961): Bill’s first of two appearances. This was a highly acclaimed episode of the tv anthology. Five strangers are stuck in a room with only an open ceiling. Bill played an army major who awakens in the room with the other strangers. They don’t really care who they are or why they’re stuck. However the Major won’t give up and eventually finds a way out, at the end. Only then does the audience realize the room is a toy donation bin at Christmas time and the “others” are dolls thrown in for collection. Bill appeared in TZ twice and twice in Rod Serling’s other show “Night Gallery.” Bill said he never met Serling and only talked to him after Serling paid him a compliment for the performance in his first “Night Gallery.” Bill said he was appearing in the play “U.S.A” when he was scouted for the role of the major.

Surfside 6: Anniversary Special(1962): Appearance #2. Bill liked playing heavies of all kinds. Well, there’s the heavy who is a violent sadist, which he played in shows like “Gunsmoke” and “F.B.I.” Then there is the heavy who is cold, calculating and sleazy like the role in “The Angry Breed” and then there is the heavy that’s a mix: sleazy, violent and mentally ill. That’s what we the viewers get here. Bill played TV variety show host Robby Brooks who’s loved by millions. He knowns this and thrives on this power. He’s about to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary with a live show in Miami. He’s announced a bevy of stars who will appear on his Anniversary show including Lois. She doesn’t want any part of it and she wants to divorce Robby. He’s been sleeping around and Lois is sick of his years of cheating. Robby fears if she leaves it will ruin his plans of political aspirations. He hires Surfside detective Dave Thorn to keep an eye on Lois, saying she is mentally ill.

(CONT). Lois finally escapes when Thorn is not looking but she is found and is taken to the mental hospital. Robby shows up and has clearly had it with Lois. He grabs her and attempts to throw her out the window, thinking people will believe him when he says Lois committed suicide. Luckily Dave and a police lieutenant hear it all and barge in. It’s unclear if Robby ended up in jail or in a mental institution. Just watching Bill play this character gives one goosebumps. His descent into madness is riveting. He uses his wife, his viewers and his lover to feed his ego.

The Gertrude Berg Show: Goodbye Mr. Howell(1962): The show focused on Sarah Green played by Gertrude Berg. The actress was known for her tv show “The Goldbergs” which showcased the lives of a Jewish-American family. This show was based on Berg’s really-life experience going to college. This episode focused on one of the professor’s, Mr. Howell, who decides to quit teaching and work with his rich friend at an oil company. Bill played Ernie, the friend who Mr. Howell follows into the oil business. Ernie has a beautiful wife, money and a fancy car. He flaunts it an this makes Mr. Howell feel worthless, especially when he insists on picking up the dinner tab and can barely afford it. This is the first time Bill appeared with actor/dancer Ken Berry. They would later work together on an episode of “Mama’s Family” called Mama’s Boyfriend. Aneta Corsaut was a regular on the show. She would later appear on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Katy by Moonlight.

Gunsmoke: False Front(1962): Bill’s second GS appearance. Matt goes to Kansas City to meet with a Senator and a newspaper reporter named Paul Hill. The Senator wants to do away with U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi but Matt disagrees. The Senator thinks the law is not necessary and figures just let the bad guys kill themselves. Matt claims that innocent people may get hurt before it’s said and done. Before heading back to Dodge, Matt stops at a saloon where Mr. Hill shows up. Hill has an idea, that anyone can be turned into a ruthless gunslinger and he decides to find one. Hill makes a bet with a big-time gambler that Hill can turn a kind store clerk into a killer. The reporter heads to Dodge and spreads rumors about the gunman in hopes of raising interest in a shootout, to prove his point. Bill played Paul Hill who was thoroughly convinced he could turn anyone into a killer.

Bus Stop: The Ordeal of Kevin Brooke(1962): This show was based on the famous Don Murray-Marilyn Monroe film. However, the tv show was not like the movie and featured various plots. In this episode Kevin Brooke finds a suitcase full of money and imagines what he should do with it. Meantime he keeps this from his wife and makes some trips to Las Vegas where he develops interst in a lounge singer. Even Brooke’s best friend, Ed, tries to find out what’s going on. In the end Brooke makes thee right decision. Bill played Ed Henderson, Kevin’s best friend and his sometimes conscience.

Follow the Sun: Ghost in Her Gazebo(1962): The show was about two magazine writers living it up in Hawaii. In this episode a widow, Lili St. John, is now the head of a large company but she’s encouraged to sell it by her unscrupulous two sons, Meredith and Van. She’s unsure so she consults a medium to get advice from her late husband. Paul, one of the magazine writers, is also a friend of the family and he smells something funny going on. Of course there’s no ghost, Mrs. St. John was in it on all along. She hoped to scare her boys into not selling the company, using Meredith’s own son as the so-called ghost. In the end, the boys happily agree not to sell the company. Bill played the older son, Meredith, complete with graying hair and college-aged son. He was the last actor to be billed in the end credits. In Bill’s autobiography his filmography listed Chalk One Up For Johnny as the episode he appeared in, but that is not correct.

Thriller: Man of Mystery(1962): This anthology hosted by Boris Karloff was similar to “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” It starts off with a man, Harry Laxer, who is writing a book about a Man of Mystery named Joel Stone. He’s fallen for a young night club singer named Sherry and her headlining boyfriend, Lou Walters, is upset. Soon Sherry becomes an obsession for Stone and he wants to marry her. Lou does his best to find out about Stone and soon, several bodies begin to appear. It turns out Stone is not who he really is. The real Man of Mystery is Stone’s small, creepy butler. However no one would believe this so the powerful Stones hires good looking men to be his puppet. Now there’s a new Man of Mystery…Harlan Croft. Turns out Croft is the new identity of Lou Waters who is now the new puppet being pulled by the strings of the sinister butler. Bill played Lou Walters/Harlan Croft.

Kraft Mystery Theatre: In Close Pursuit(1962): This was the successor to “Kraft Television Theatre” and the forerunner for “Kraft Suspense Theatre.” Bernice Qulllet has a soft spot for men in need. She falls for a broken down alcoholic poet and nurses him back to a better life. They get married but he continues to drink and then has an affair with a waitress, Louise Viaur. So Bernice kills her husband and frames his mistress. Bill played the waitress’ public defender, Vincent Fuller. He’s a down and out attorney who also catches the eye of Bernice who finds the need to help him. However, Fuller gets Bernice to confess to the crime so, not much of a mystery really. Actor George Kennedy appeared in the episode. He would later appear in an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” but not have any scenes with Bill. They would also work on the film “Fool’s Parade”(where he’d shoot and kill Bill’s character, Sizemore), the tv movie “A Great American Tragedy, “and the movie “Mean Dog Blues.” Also co-starring in the show was Jan Sterling who would later work with Bill in the film “The Angry Breed.” Director Robert Altman (MASH) directed this episode. He would later direct Bill in the tv pilot episode of “The Gallant Men,” an episode of “Combat!” and in the crazy film “Brewster McCloud.”

Seven Times Monday(1962): This is the same play Bill did in 1960 but it aired as a tv movie in Western Germany.

Stoney Burke:A Matter of Pride(1962): Stoney Burke (Jack Lord) is a rodeo rider aiming for the Golden Buckle. In this episode Stoney gets involved when a rider is killed and the town decides to cancel the rodeo. The rider’s family is very poor and Stoney wants to help, putting him at odds with a wealthy merchant named Reese Ludlow. He’s a slick furniture salesman who wants to keep the rodeo in town. He assures Stoney that the town will reverse their decision…wink, wink. In exchange, Reese wants some free publicity from Stoney’s rodeo team. Stoney isn’t on board with the plan and it lands him in trouble with the local law. Bill played the merchant, Resse Ludlow. This is the first time Bill worked with Jack Lord. They later work together in two great episodes of “Hawaii 5-0” called Bomb, Bomb, Who’s Got the Bomb? and Which Way Did They Go? Lord was a fan of Bill’s and of this performance. Lord even watched Bill perform Thurber when he did the show in Honolulu in 1985. Also appearing, Bruce Dern. He and Bill would later work together in an episode of “The F.B.I.” called The Nightmare.

77 Sunset Strip: Mr. Bailey’s Honeymoon(1962): Bill’s first of two appearances. The show, similar to “Surfside 6,” focused on two cool private eyes in Los Angeles. In this episode Stu Bailey (Efrem Zimbalist, jr.) ends up in Oklahoma with amnesia, a new name, and a wife. Stu regains his memory but he soon finds himself in the middle of a con with Calvin Otterman and his sister. Bill played Otterman, a crook who tries to go straight. He’s the manager of a motel that Stu is staying in. Zimbalist and Bill were very good friends.

The Lucy Show: Lucy Digs Up a Date(1962): Lucy and Viv are supposed to attend a dance with their boyfriends but the men aren’t available. So Lucy tries to find a replacement in the form of Jerry’s teacher “Old Man” Taylor. The teacher is failing Jerry and Lucy has him over for a talk. Turns out Henry Taylor is quite handsome. In the end, the girls end up with 3 dates each. Bill played Old Man Taylor. Apparently Bill had a rough time playing the role. He reportedly was not getting his character to click during rehearsal. Lucy told him he wasn’t funny and that it wouldn’t work. However, Bill went home and returned the next day with a completely different take on the character. Afterwards Lucy told him that she loved him and what he did for the role. Bill worked with Vito Scotti in this episode. They later worked on two episodes of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Mismatch Maker and High Fashion and then on an episode of “Police Woman” called Silky Chamberlain (named after Bill’s character).

The Twilight Zone:Miniature(1963): Appearance #2. Charlie Park (Robert Duvall) lives with his mother but finds fascination in a doll house and its inhabitants. Bill played psychiatrist Dr. Wallman, who is trying to convince Park that the dolls are just that and NOT real people. Bill worked with Duvall in “To Kill a Mockingbird” where Duvall played Boo Radley. Both men were in the film “The Detective” but did not have scenes together. Also appearing in this episode, actress Sally Kellerman. She and Bill would later work on the film “Brewster McCloud.” Actress Barbara Barrie had a role. She and Bill appeared together in an episode of “Armstrong Circle Theatre” called Black Market Babies. They later worked together on the short lived Martin Mull series “His and Her’s” as the main character’s parents. Bill provided some audio commentary for the episode when it was released on DVD.

Empire:Hidden Asset(1963): The show is about Jim Redigo, who is the foreman of a large Ranch run by a matriarch and her two children. In this episode Redigo is forced to layoff some of the ranch workers because of money issues. He soon gets into a mess when the ranch hands are riled up by a local lawyer named Lawrence Ronan. He’s rather opportunistic as he has big political aspirations. He tries to convince the farm hands they’re being railroaded by Redigo. One of the ranch hands sabotages a dam causing a flood and Redigo must find a way to save the ranch. Bill played Lawrence Ronan the opportunistic lawyer. This is the first time Bill appeared with actress Barbara Bain. They would later work together on two episodes of “Mission: Impossible”: The Train and The Widow.

77 Sunset Strip:The Checkmate Caper(1963): Appearance #2. Stu Bailey is hired by a wanna be crook named Cuthbert Carmichael. He’s the odd ball in a family of rich crooks. He doesn’t want to live up to the criminal family tree but his grandmother threatens to cut off his money. Cuthbert hires Stu to help in a fake robbery, so Carmichael’s family will respect him. However, Cuthbert’s cousin overhears this and tells grandmother that the robbery is a hoax. She decides to make it real, to Cuthbert’s surprise, and Stu is left holding the bag. Stu has to try and clear his name and soon he and the police are involved in a shoot out with the Carmichaels. Cuthbert convinces his grandmother to give up because when the odds are against them, Carmichaels know it. Finally grandmother believes her grandson IS a Carmichael after all. Bill played Cuthbert Carmichael, the black sheep. An interesting trivia note, Carmichael asks Stu if he’s ever watched the tv show, “Checkmate.” Bill had appeared in an episode of the show two years prior. Actor Roger Smith was also one of the detectives on the show. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called One-Eyed Sloth. Smith played Walter Morley the younger brother of Bill’s character, Glen.

Combat!:Off Limits(1963): The WWII drama focused on front-line fighters throughout Europe. In this episode a female lieutenant nurse, who is married, falls for her captain, Lew Anders. Meanwhile her husband is injured during a mission and Anders must operate. The question is, what will happen if the soldier lives or dies. Bill played the love-struck, duty bound Capt. Anders. Bill is seen smoking his pipe in this episode. Actor Jeremy Slate played the husband. He and Bill would later work on two episodes of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Where’s Katy? and The Waiting Game. Jeremy played a fellow Swede in both episodes. Robert Altman produced this episode.

ABC Fall Preview(1963): Every year the networks would air a Fall preview special of their shows airing during Prime Time. This was the first year for “The Farmer’s Daughter” so the network gave it a nice sneak-peak for it’s time slot, originally on Fridays before moving to Wednesdays a few months later.

ABC Fall Preview(1964): This time around “The Farmer’s Daughter” got a quick treatment since it wasn’t a new show. Following it, at 8:30 on Fridays, was “The Addams Family.”

Hollywood U.S.A.(1964): This show, promoted by the NAACP, featured actor Greg Morris (“Mission: Impossible”) showing clips of various shows that included African American actors. A clip from “The Farmer’s Daughter” was featured in the show.

12 O’clock High:Gauntlet of Fire(1966): This military drama focused on the Army Air Corp. In this episode, continuous missions are taking its toll on the 918th. Bill played Lt. Col. Bill Christy, who is worried about his men falling to pieces but has to play hard nose if it means their safety. During a raid the Germans kill Christy while he’s piloting his plane. Andrew Duggan was a regular on the show. He and Bill would later appear in the pilot for “The Waltons” called “The Homecoming” and then on an episode of “McMillan and Wife” called Game of Survival.

The Wild, Wild West:Night of the Flying Pie Plate(1966): In this episode, agent West is protecting a gold shipment when he sees something in the sky. It’s a UFO and three martian women come out asking to trade their valuable gems for the gold that will fuel their saucer. Meanwhile, the town loon preaches fire and brimstone to scare the townsfolk. But it is an elaborate hoax. Ben Victor, the local assayer, has set the whole situation up in hopes of keeping the 2500 lbs of gold dust for himself. Bill played Ben Victor. In the end, he and his assistant get blown up. This is the second time Bill worked with Leslie Parrish (one of the martian women). They had worked on the film “For Love or Money,” an episode of “Surfside 6” called The Affairs at the Hotel Delight and would work on an episode of “Mannix” called The Girl in the Frame.

Iron Horse:Town Full of Fear(1966): A Western about a man who wins a partial railroad line in a card game and must fight to get it finished. In this episode, Ben (Dale Robertson) is trying to get the line to run through a ghost town but it holds a secret that no one wants revealed. A group of miners, led by Irishman Colin McCrory, are keeping a secret about a hidden gold mine. The group will kill anyone who comes to town snooping around. In the end all the men face off against the business end of a gun. Bill played McCrory. Co-starring in the episode was actor Gary Collins. He and Bill would appear, with their wives, on the game show “It Takes Two” and the two would later work together on the unsold tv pilot “Jamison’s Kids.”

The. F.B.I:The Assassin(1966): Bill’s first of 4 appearances. The episode starts in Manila where a police officer is about to tell investigators about an assassination plot against a Bishop on a peace mission to the US. The assassin is Anton Andre Christopher, a Communist sympathizer. The F.B.I. and Agent Erskine continue to provide protection for the Bishop but it turns out the Bishop’s good friend has hired Christopher. The assassination is a failure and Erskine eventually finds Christopher who doesn’t care what happens to himself. Bill played the character of Anton as bordering on a nervous breakdown. But, instead of playing it hysterical, he plays it with aplomb, as if he doesn’t care whether he lives or dies. A very powerful performance. This is the second time Bill works with actor Tom Skerritt (“Top Gun”). They first worked together in the film “One Man’s Way.” The PR people for the show decided to link Bill and Zimbalist’s friendship as going back to their college days at Yale. The two never met at Yale, it was when they were starting out on Broadway.

(CONT.) The director, Ralph Senensky, remebered he wanted actor David Wayne to play Anton, followed by Gig Young. They were unavailable and someone suggested actor Fritz Weaver. Senensky did not want Weaver who was known for playing heavies. Senensky remembered an actor from the UCLA theatre group: William Windom. Bill received rave reviews for his portrayal of Anton Christopher.

Run For Your Life: The List of Alice McKenna(1967): The show focused on Paul Bryan, a man with less than two years to live. So he lives life to the fullest. In this episode Paul returns to his hometown to attend his aunt’s funeral. He gets together with old friends Ralph and Debbie Wilson. Paul mentions another friend, Alice McKenna, who spent 7 years for murdering her husband. She swears she was innocent and asks Paul to help clear her name in the old town. Soon several towns people, including Ralph and Debbie, are on Paul’s list. Turns out Debbie was having an affair with McKenna’s husband. Meanwhile, the town tramp, Billie, says that Ralph offered her a suite in one of the buildings he owned. The catch was Billie would pay the rent to Ralph with something else besides money. However Billie said Ralph changed his mind when his wife admitted the affair and admitted it was over. The couple reunited but are angry with Paul for digging up dirt. In the end Paul figures out that Alice really DID kill her husband. Bill played Ralph Wilson to Cloris Leachman’s Debbie. It’s never made clear if Ralph did engage in an affair with Billie or he made an attempt but changed his mind. Bill worked with actress Geraldine Brooks (Alice McKenna) in this episode. The same year they would play husband and wife in an episode of “The Fugitive” called The Ivy Maze.

The Fugitive:The Ivy Maze(1967): In this episode Kimbel reunites with a Frat brother who is involved with sleep research at a local University. He tells Kimbel he’s seen the one-armed man on campus and has a plan to extract the truth. Professor Fritz Simpson is running sleep experiments and thinks he can get the one-armed man to confess. However Simpson’s wife thinks he’s doing this not to help Kimbel but because Simpson was in love with Kimbel’s late wife. She and Simpson were engaged before Kimbel took her away. The experiment almost works, but not quite. Kimbell is on the run again and the Simpsons resolve their differences. Bill played Professor Simpson. This is the second time Bill works with Geraldine Brooks, the first being in “Run For Your Life.”

Mission:Impossible: The Train(1967): Bill’s first of 4 appearances. The leader of a European nation is on his death bed but he’s already chosen his replacement, Premier Milos Pavel. However, Pavel has plans of his own when he assumes power. The IMF group intends to show the dying leader what his protégé is really like. Bill played the evil Deputy Premier Milos Pavel, complete with German accent. This is the first time Bill appeared with actor William Schallert.

Mission:Impossible:The Widow(1967): Appearance #2. In this episode Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) becomes the leader of IMF. His first mission: to stop two deadly heroin traffickers, Cresnic and Walters. Bill played the smooth German Alex Cresnic. This is Bill’s second time working with Peter Graves, the first was during an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called The Playboy of Capitol Hill. Also appearing in this episode, Joe Maross who played Mark. He and Bill would later work together in another “MI” episode called The Fighter.

Star Trek: The Doomsday Machine(1967): One of the most famous episodes of the original series. The USS Enterprise meets up with the USS Constellation with Commodore Decker at the helm. He is obsessed with a giant planet-destroying robot ship that killed his crew. The writer of the episode equated Decker to Captain Ahab but some fans recognize more of a Captain Queeg personality. Bill was not a fan and really was just happy to say his lines and go to lunch. Bill said he harbored slight animosity towards William Shatner as Bill was Shatner’s understudy in an awful play from their New York days. Trivia note: The character’s original name was going to be Curt Decker but it sounded too much like Kirk so it changed to Matt. There’s one scene where the crew is looking above and one character is covering her ears. They were told audio would add the sound of an alarm in the final cut but it never happened. So they’re acting like there’s a sound affect but it never occurred.

The Invaders:Doomsday Minus One(1967): Appearance 1 of 2. The show focused on alien invasions. A man named David Vincent sees a UFO land and now he tries to convince everyone that aliens have landed and are slowly taking over Earth. In this episode, the aliens plan to explode an anti-matter bomb in Utah during a test. Bill played Major Rick Graves who is approached by Vincent about the UFO sighting and explains that the aliens are on base. Soon the aliens get to the Major’s superiors to have him sent away but he won’t go. Vincent and Graves hope they’re not too late.

The Invaders: Summit Meeting parts I & II(1967): Appearance 2 of 2. This time Vincent is kidnapped by industrialist Michael Tressider. No one but Vincent will understand. Tressider says radiation levels are rising on Earth and will soon destroy everything. Only one area is safe and it’s the site of an upcoming world summit meeting. However Vincent finds himself facing invaders including one, who is willing to help humans. Turns out, the invaders want the leaders to think they are working towards peace at the summit when the aliens want the leaders all in one convenient spot to be assassinated. Bill played Tressider, who is trying to fight the invaders and keep the Earth safe, only to sacrifice his own life.

Custer:Under Fire(1967): This series explored the adventures of Gen. George Armstrong Custer before Little Big Horn. In this episode, Crazy Horse approaches a deceitful gold prospector, Clark Samson. The native offers his tribe’s mountain of gold in exchange for Custer. Clark goes to Custer asking for protection to survey the mountains for gold and then pledges it to the US government. However Clark intends to double cross everybody. Samson and Custer battle it out and Samson is thrown over a cliff. Bill played Clark Samson and a publicity photo from the shoot is featured in Bill’s autobiography. Bill joked that he was slowly getting back to his “heavy” roots after playing the nice guy Glen Morley. Bill once said, “I understand Barry Sullivan turned down the part because he didn’t want to be that bad but I’m used to it.”

Gentle Ben:Jennifer(1967): The family series about a game warden and his family and their pet bear, Ben. In this episode young Mark and Ben search the everglades for a missing girl who’s about to be attacked by a puma roaming the area. The girl and her adopted parents had pulled over for a rest and the little girl wandered off. Bill played the young girls father, James Harkness, who is distraught at the thought of his little girl in danger. The episode title comes form the little girl’s name. This is the second time Bill worked with Dennis Weaver. They previously worked on a “Gunsmoke” episode called Nina’s Revenge.

Dundee and the Culhane: The Thy Brother’s Keeper Brief(1967): The story of a British barrister and his young partner traveling the American Frontier and offering their services. This starts out with Dundee and Culhane at a mining camp telling a miner that the mine he’s working is empty. The man is not convinced because the assayer, Robert Campbell, is honest and told him the samples contained gold. Maybe he made a mistake? The miner suggests Dundee and Culhane take new samples back to Campbell and they agree. Meanwhile the miner goes back into the mine and he’s murdered by two men. Dundee is listed as the next of kin and is now responsible for the miner’s young son. Dundee tries to find a new home for the boy but family friend/gold assayer Campbell would like to be the guardian. Soon the young boy is kidnapped by his father’s murderers. Turns out Campbell was in on the murder and kidnapping. He wants the boy and also the gold. There’s a shootout and Campbell ends up dead. Bill played Campbell, who was certainly greedy but also had a soft spot for the young boy left parentless.

Judd For the Defense: Commitment(1967): Carl Betz played the lead roll as a high-priced lawyer and his partner taking on various cases. In this episode an escaped convict approaches Judd asking to take his case and prove him innocent of a murder he served time for. Judd asks for a new trail stating the last attorney, Ira Creighton, did not do his client justice. Ira is an alcoholic who gave his client the wrong advice. Judd tracks down Ira who doesn’t want to take part in the new trial because it could affect his new job. However in the end he admits to his past mistakes and tells the judge a new trial is needed. Bill played the downtrodden Ira Creighton. The convict is played by Brock Peters the same actor who worked with Bill as the suspect in “To Kill a Mockingbird” only this time Bill is the defense not the prosecution. Bill and actor Carl Betz were good friends.

The. F.B.I.: By Force and Violence I & II(1967): Bill’s second of four appearances. In this episode, criminal Max Griswold has been in hiding and has established a legitimate, albeit new, life complete with new (fake) identity. A former colleague, David Roger “Davey” Spiers, has found Griswold and threatens to go to the police unless he helps Spiers on one last heist. Griswold is un-phased so Spiers resorts to plan B, kidnapping Griswold’s estranged son. Griswold agrees and the robbers are successful in the money heist. They even get away but the F.B.I. track them down on the ocean and exchange gunfire, killing Spiers. Griswold admits his involvement and is sent to jail, again. Bill played Spiers with ice water in his veins. Actor Arthur Hill and Bill both worked together on an episode of “Ben Casey.” Another actor in this show, Leonard Stone, later worked with Bill on an episode of ” The Mod Squad” called Hello Mother, My Name is Julie. Actor Don Gordon would later work with Bill in an episode of “Cannon” called Death Chain. Also appearing, actor Robert Hogan. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “The Streets of San Francisco” called 45 Minutes From Home. An interesting trivia note, during a rehearsal Bill decided to do his line while reaching for and lighting his real pipe. The pipe worked so well in the rehearsal the director decided to use it for the shoot. Bill came up with the idea at the last minute, as an experiment. Pipe smoking is not something usually associated with criminals and heavies and Bill wanted the audience to think differently.

The Virginian:To Bear Witness(1967): The first of Bill’s four appearances. A disliked general store owner is found dead outside the home of the town nurse. Both Trampas and Doc Baldwin become suspects. The Doc’s attorney, Arthur Blanton, is especially angry since the Doc won’t confide in him about an alibi. Blanton is a regular of Doc’s because Blanton’s little girl needs leg braces to walk and she recently damaged them. The Doc tells Blanton and Trampas about what really happened the night of the murder but will not reveal it in court. Trampas decides to testify instead and the town gets angry that he’s betraying the doctor. In the end, Trampas finds out that Blanton was the real killer. He was at the nurse’s house that night because he is in love with her. He killed the man out of self defense but he couldn’t admit this because he is married. Bill played Arthur Blanton, the attorney with a lovable little girl.

The Name of the Game:Lola in Lipstick(1968): Bill’s first of two appearances. The show was part of the NBC mystery movie rotation. What’s more, these movies also had a three character rotation. All three worked for a major publisher and each episode would focus on one of them. In this episode the character Glenn investigates the lives of the Jet Set in Rome and discovers a web of sex, drugs and murder. The episode starts with the death of a young woman in Rome, after a party with a group of men. Back in the U.S. Glenn learns of the girl’s death. Her name is Lola and she was a well known hooker. Soon Glenn heads to Rome to investigate. He meets an old friend named Charlie Ross. The reporter-turned-alcoholic has a great story and asks Glenn for a job. Glenn says he can’t do much and shortly after Charlie is found dead of an apparent suicide. It turns out Charlie was murdered because of the story he was working on. The plot soon involves fascists, drug dealers and a prostitution ring. Bill played Charlie, the washed up reporter who met a terrible fate. This is the first time Bill worked with Gene Barry (Glenn) and Susan St. James. Bill and Gene would work on another episode of “The Name of the Game” called The Time is Now and on the new “Burke’s Law” called Who Killed the Tennis Ace? Bill and Susan St. James would later work on an episode of “McMillan & Wife” called The Game of Survival. Also this is the second time Bill worked with Kathie Browne (Mrs. Darren McGavin). They had worked on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Help Not Wanted and they would work on an episode of the “The Outsider” called Service For One.

The F.B.I:The Nightmare(1968): Appearance 3 of 4. A bank officer, Howard Converse, is in debt and has a sick wife. The couple have been embezzling money to pay for their gambling debts and now the wife is in an iron lung. Converse has a plan to go on the lamb with some stolen money and the F.B.I. is called in to track him down. However Converse’s life is in danger when he joins up with a fugitive and his girl who want the money for themselves. Bill played the hard-on-his-luck banker, Howard Converse. This was the first time he worked with Lee Merriweather. She and Bill would later work on an episode of “My World” called Middle Years. She played the next door neighbor John fantasizes about while his wife’s away. She would also appear with Bill in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Lady in the Lake. Trivia: A newspaper story mentioned that Bill would break up cast members on this specific episode. Apparently he could only start his lines if someone spoke to him first or if he was the first person speaking. If he was the first person, he would start his lines by including stage direction like, bullets flying or helicopter whirling overhead. He would make these sound affects to help with his lines and the scenes had to be re-shot. In book about QM productions, Lee Merriwether talked about how hard it was for her as her character was in an iron lung. She had to speak while exhaling and Bill and Efram would tickle her through the leg holes of the iron lung.

Bonanza:Star Crossed(1968): In this episode the Bonanza hired hand, Candy, falls for the new girl in town named Laura Jean. She’s being blackmailed by the Marshal from another town, named Passmore. He shows up in Virginia City pretending to be Laura’s cousin. He’s blackmailing her for a murder he actually committed. She promises to pay him the money but he wants even more. He demands Laura forget about Candy and cozy up to one of the Cartwrights because of their wealth. Passmore shoots and kills Laura in the end and Candy kills Passmore. Bill played the evil Marshal Passmore complete with Irish accent and a scar on his face. This is the first time Bill appeared with actor Lorne Greene. They would later work together on Greene’s show “Griff.”

Mannix:The Girl in the Frame(1968): Bill’s first of 3 appearances. A wealthy art collector, Calvin Norris, thinks his latest painting is a forgery. That’s because he spies on a female model who looks exactly like the subject in the painting. Norris asks Mannix to track the woman down but she’s in more trouble than she thinks. In the end Mannix introduces her to Norris, who really wanted to meet her because he was so smitten when he saw her from afar. Bill played the hapless Norris and actress Leslie Parrish played the model, Linda. She and Bill worked together an episode of “The Wild, Wild West,” “Surfside 6” and on the film “For Love or Money.” Also appearing in the show, Joseph Campanella. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “Petrocelli” called The Golden Cage, on the TV movie “Journey From Darkness” and on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Sticks and Stones.

Ironside: A Trip to Hashbury(1968): Bill’s first of two appearances. Ed and Eve are investigating a home for runaways run by a hippie guru named Freddy. Eve hears a girl scream and bursts into one of the bedrooms. It looks like Ed was beating up the girl, Barbara Chase. Now Ironside has to find out what really happened. The girl’s father. Eldon Chase, wants Ed imprisoned for assault. She tells her father it was a one-time visit and then she succumbs to her injuries. As the team investigates the situation it’s learned that Barbara was going to the house all the time and partying, even though she had a clean-cut boyfriend in college. Surprisingly, it was the boyfriend who killed Barbara. It seems he was leading a double life as a hippie. Bill played the distraught father, Eldon Chase. What’s interesting about this episode, the message is that teens really don’t want their parents to be their “Friends” but as disciplinarians.

The Virginian: The Orchard(1968): Appearance 2 of 4. In this episode, Tim Bradbury (Burgess Meredith) wants to rebuild his ranch and asks his old friend Grainger for help. However Bradbury’s two sons are of no help. One son is lame and is convinced the land should be a farm instead of a ranch. The older brother works at Shiloh but spends all his money on gambling. He loses big to a gambler named Chick Mead, who’s been stealing cattle from Shiloh. When Bradbury’s son gambles away the money meant to buy his dad a steer, Mead gives it back with a catch. He blackmails the son into helping steal the Shiloh cattle. In the end the son refuses to go along with the plan and both he and Mead die in a shootout. Bill played Chick Mead and he worked with Ben Murphy for the first time. They would later work on an episode of “Alias Smith and Jones” called Wrong Train to Brimstone, an episode of the show “Griff,” a tv movie called “Bridger,” and then on the tv series “Lottery!” in the episode Boston: False Illusion. This is also the first time Bill worked with actress Tyne Daly. They would later appear in an episode of “Hawkins” called A Life For a Life. Bill would again work with Burges Meredith on the unsold pilot “The New Healers.”

The Mod Squad:Hello Mother, My Name is Julie(1969): The show about street wise kids who become police officers. In this episode, Pete and Linc go undercover with a thief planning a big heist. Meanwhile Julie’s mother shows up to announce she’s getting married again, to a businessman. However when everyone meets for dinner the fiancé turns out to be the thief, Fred White aka Fred Williams aka William Franklin. He threatens Linc and Pete saying he is in love with his fiancé and that no one needs to know about his work. Unfortunately Julie learns the truth when Linc gives her a set of finger prints to process. Williams gets the money in the heist but is arrested on his wedding day in front of his bride. Bill played the groom-to-be/thief.

Mannix:Shadow of a Man(1969): Appearance 2 of 3. Mannix is almost killed by a businessman who is suffering from PTSD and headaches from a plate in his head. The man, Nils Sanderson, keeps having flashbacks from Korea. At one point he loses it when the police are called to his house and he draws a gun. Sanderson is convinced Mannix reported the original shooting attempt. Mannix tries to talk Sanderson down but he’s shot and killed and not by the police. Mannix soon realizes that someone was using Sanderson and his illness. The story takes a unique twist when a Korean student, who knew Sanderson during the war, tells Mannix, Sanderson died in Korea as did her parents. They were friends with Sanderson but were murdered while he died in combat. Mannix learned that was a lie. Sanderson killed the Korean couple over a gold shipment. An investigator friend of Mannix learned about Sanderson’s past and blackmailed him to kill Mannix. Bill played Sanderson, who flies into the fits of rage and can’t control himself. Also appearing in the show, as a police officer, was actor Larry Linville (MASH). He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “Men at Law” called Let the Dier Beware, they would appear on the same two-part episode of “The Love Boat” with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and then on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Curse of the Daanav.

Lancer: The Great Humbug(1969): One of the many formula Westerns of the day. In this episode a grifter named Claude Buttermere comes to town to cheat the locals in a phony land deal that causes a rift between Murdoch Lancer and his good friend. Buttermere and his little girl go from town to town with new ways of scamming people. In the beginning of the episode Scott Lancer saves Buttermere after he’s almost tarred and feathered for one of his scams. Then Buttermere and his daughter show up at the family ranch with a new swindle. Bill played Irishman Claude Buttermere and his daughter, Vinny, was played by Lisa Gerritsen. She would play Bill’s tv daughter in “My World and Welcome to It.” There is a very touching scene when Vinny tells her dad she’s sick of the swindles and she doesn’t want to stay with him anymore. Viewers can see the tears welling up in Bill’s eyes during the scene. This was the second time Bill worked with Wayne Maunder who played Scott Lancer. He also played Custer in the episode of “Custer” that Bill did called Under Fire. Bill would once again work with Lisa (Leisa) Gerritsen when she would play his daughter on “My World and Welcome to it.”

The Outcasts:The Stalking Devil(1969): The series was about a bounty hunter who was a Confederate soldier teaming up with an ex-slave who fought with the Union. Both were considered outcasts. In this episode the two men are on a bounty for the black devil which is harassing a local native tribe. Lafe Partman is the killer who disguises himself as a black man. He admits he wants to kill any member of a local tribe because they murdered his wife and baby. This causes a disagreement among the outcasts and the tribe capture both men. Partman convinces the tribe to kill the two. However they escape and when the tribe tracks them down, Partman gets a chance to kill the native who lead the war party on his family. Partman is successful and admits to the tribe that he is the Black Devil. Bill played the revengeful but remorseful Lafe Partman. This is the second time Bill works with actor Don Murray (the confederate soldier). They also worked together in the film “One Man’s Way.” Bill would later work with Murray’s ex-wife and son, Hope Lange and Christopher Murray, on two different episodes of “Murder, She Wrote.”

The Virginian:Half Way Back From Hell(1969): Appearance 3 of 4. In Arizona, Trampas becomes the foreman of a ranch worked by ex-convicts. However the towns people and the US Marshal want to run the group out. The convicts are part of a rehab program to turn the prisoners into productive members of society. The foreman is Joss Cardine who will get a pardon if the program succeeds. Cardine is serving life for killing a U.S. Marshal he caught sleeping with Cardine’s wife. Cardine hides Trampas’ ID and forces him to take on the identity of a prisoner. Cardine just wants to keep Trampas on for a couple of months to help make the ranch work. Luckily the marshal’s daughter has a kind heart and tries to help the men. When the marshal insults one of the prisoners he makes a break for the Mexican border. Luckily Trampas finds him before the marshal kills the prisoner. He returns to the ranch and the marshal realizes how badly he treated the group. Bill played Joss Cardine, the man who was spared the gallows only to be tortured in prison. This is Bill’s third time working with Parley Baer. They worked on two episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Katy’s Castle and Moe Hill and the Mountains and later on with the California Artists Radio Theatre.

The Outsider:Service For One(1969): This detective vehicle starred Darrin McGavin as P.I. named Ross. In this episode Ross must serve a subpoena to an eccentric millionaire named Bernard Christie. He’s never been seen except by the upper echelon he allows himself to be surrounded by. Ross has a hard time finding Christie who, as it turns out, is also living a double life as Harry, a regular guy. In the end Ross figures out a way to get Christie to meet him. The ruse is up and Christie get’s served. Bill played the elusive Christie/Harry. McGavin’s third wife, Kathie Browne, also appeared in this episode. She played Harry’s girlfriend, Amy, who learns the truth about her man. Kathie and Bill had appeared in an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Help Not Wanted and in an episode of “The Name of The Game” called Lola in Lipstick (they didn’t have any scenes together). Also appearing is actor Henry Jones. He and Bill were good friends going back to their ART days when both appeared in the performance of “Alice in Wonderland” in 1947. They would later work together in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Mr. Penroy’s Vacation.

CBS Playhouse:Shadow Game (1969): An anthology of various screen plays. This episode focused on several employers and employees at a high powered New York City office. It’s supposed to take during the blackout of 1965. While trapped the group decides to throw a party and personalities are revealed. One executive is a lady killer who is also stealing clients from his co-worker, Saul. Meanwhile, an older executive, Art Richardson, has a little too much to drink. He spots a blonde secretary named Gayle and invites her into the executive office. They talk about loneliness and the dark before and soon they’re so drunk they give into their desires. As the night continues each character goes through a change. Richardson doesn’t want anyone to know about what he did with the secretary so he tells her to leave as if nothing happened. Bill played Art Richardson who seduced the young girl and then brushes her off after he’s made love to her and he’s sobered up. Bill was never cast in many romantic roles but he had the acting chops to pull them off. While Art is seducing Gayle, instead of kissing her passionately at first he gives her sensual kiss on the forehead. Bill was quite impressed with the talent, charm and beauty of young Alexandra Hay who played Gayle. CBS Playhouse claimed to be live performances put to tape. Bill called BS on that. He said it was shot just like a movie…when there was a mistake the scene was re-shot. The director of the film won an Emmy for this project the same year Bill won his Emmy.

My Friend Tony:The Shortest Courtship(1969): The show focused on the relationship of Professor John Woodruff , a criminology professor, who is reunited with an orphan he met in Italy many years before. The boy, Tony, now a man joins Woodruff (in America) on a series of cases. In this episode Tony helps a young woman being forced to work for a watch smuggler. Their ringleader is a gay man named Phil Wiser who also goes by an alias name of Edwards. He is using the young girl by having her marry Tony. Her last “husband” had the stolen watches and gave them to her. Now Tony is involved in the scheme. Then all three board a plane to LA where the goods are to be exchanged. Afterwards, Wiser will let the girl and Tony go free. There’s a double cross and a shoot out at the end. Bill played Wiser complete with Mod suit and comb over. While he’s not overtly effeminate he does say that 19 year old college girls are not his cup of tea. It was this performance that got Bill the role for “My World…” According to Bill, who intially forgot this story when first asked about his casting in “My World…” Bill later recalled that Sheldon Leonard also produced “My Friend Tony.” Leonard must have been pleased with Bill and when the idea of doing a third version of a James Thurber show (it had been done in ’59 and ’60), Bill came to mind.

Hawaii 5-0:Which Way Did They Go?(1969): This was Bill’s first of two appearances. Criminal Ossie Connors is now a free man and ready to exact some revenge on McGarrett. He put Connors away several years before. Connors has a plan to rob a bank right from under McGarrett’s nose. McGarrett keeps harassing Connors who just laughs it off, until he finally gets caught. Bill played Connors, calm and cool. An article from “Hollywood Studio Magazine” for August 1969 said he had just returned from shooting the episode and was about to start “My World.”

The Today Show(September 1969): Bill appeared on the NBC morning show along with Danny Arnold, Bill’s producer on “My World and Welcome to It.”

The House on Greenapple Road(TV Movie)(1970): Lt. Dan August investigates the disappearance of a rather promiscuous wife, Marian Ord, played by Janet Leigh. We learn about Ord in a series of flashbacks. She was married to a milquetoast salesman but also having several affairs. It’s possible all the men have motive for the disappearance. By the end, Ord shows up. She actually ran after killing one of her lovers, Paul Durstine. He was one of the original suspects and August had told Durstine’s wife about the affair. Durstine had denied it up and down. However, Ord admits that Durstine came to her home. He was breaking it off, calling her a little tramp. Ord begged him to marry her as she loved him. Durstine just laughed and told her all the promises he made while making love was so that she wouldn’t feel like a whore. That’s when Durstine and Ord fist fight and she stabs him to death. Bill played Durstine as a man you love to hate. This is the first time Bill worked with Christopher George who played August. They work again in the pilot for the show “Escape.” Bill was great in the scene with Leigh. He would later work with Leigh’s daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis in a 1986 film short called “Welcome Home” and in the film “Grandview, USA.” Once again Bill appeared with Keenan Wynn. They had worked on the film “The Americanization of Emily” and would work together a on the tv movie, “Assault on the Wayne.” Finally, Peter Mark Richman also appeared in this film. He would later work with Bill on an episode of “Banacek” called Project Phoenix, an episode of “Matt Houston” called Heritage and an episode of “Hotel” called Anniversary. Trivia note: the film was supposedly made in 1969 but it’s premiere was postponed due to the Mason Family murder spree and the rather bloody scene in this film. The film had at least two working titles: “The Red Kitchen” and “Valentine.”

It Takes Two(1970): The first of Bill’s appearances on several game shows through the 70s and 80s. In this show three celebrity couples competed (married or just friends). Both gave individual numerical answers which were averaged into their final total. Then an audience member would guess which couple came closest and win a cash prize. Bill appeared with his fourth wife and competed against Gary Collins and his wife Mary Ann Mobley. The other couple were “Laugh-In’s” Jo Ann Worley and Alan Sues. Bill and Sues appeared together in the film “The Americanization of Emily.” Bill also worked with Collins on an Un-Sold tv pilot called “Jamison’s Kids.”

The Name of the Game: The Time is Now(1970): In this episode Glenn (Gene Barry) investigates a powder keg at a local college after a conservative African-American professor is killed. Soon a rebellion is created between Black Conservatives and Black Militants. Glenn promises to help the leader of a militant group, who is accused of the murder. Glenn soon learns the real killer was being paid off by a Mr. Price, a rich white man who wanted the professor eliminated. Bill played Mr. Price although imdb.com lists him as D.W. This episode was directed by Nicholas Colasanto, best known for playing coach on the sitcom “Cheers.” Also Jack Klugman appeared in this episode. He and Bill appeared in the film “The Detective” but had no scenes together. They later worked together on Jack Klugman’s crime drama “Quincy, M.E.” in an episode called The Hot Dog Murder.

The Forty-Eight Hour Mile(Tv Movie)(1970): This was actually a combination of two episodes of the show “The Outsider” starring Darren McGavin. They combined Bill’s episode, “Service For One” with another episode called “The Flip Side.”

Love, American Style:Love and the Visitor:(1970): Bill’s first of 3 appearances. In this silly vignette Bill played an archaeologist named Harrison, who’s waiting for his wife, an anthropologist, to come home. She’s been on safari for 6, LONG months. She arrives and boy does Harrison miss her. However she’s brought along a friend, a gorilla who has become attached to her and doesn’t really like Harrison. Soon Harrison has to learn to live with the new roommate. The episode was written by actress Valerie Harper (“Rhoda”) and her husband at the time, Richard Schaal. Harper said what they wrote was much different than the final product. This is the first time Bill worked with actress Anne Francis. They would later work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Keep the Home Fries Burning.

Insight: The Dangerous Airs of Amy Clark(1970): Bill’s first of three appearances. This weekly anthology series used religious themes to look closely at society. The show drew many high caliber actors including Martin Sheen. The episode starts out in the future where people must stay inside or risk death from all the pollution. However Mr. Clark and his wife are protected as long as they stay inside. The episode goes back and forth with flashbacks of how Mr. Clark’s company created the pollution problem. This would lead to an estrangement with his environmentally conscious son. At the end of the episode the son and his daughter are coming for a visit. He shows up but without little Amy. She died because she forgot to put on her gas mask. Bill played the father Mr. Clark who realizes the long-term affects of poor judgement. This was the first time Bill would work with actress Jane Wyatt (“Father Knows Best”). They would later appear on an episode of “The Love Boat” called Here Comes the Bride, Maybe.

The 22nd Emmy Awards(June 1970): Taped at The Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angles. David Frost and Danny Thomas were the hosts. Bill won his award for “My World…”and gave a brief speech.

The Virginia Graham Show(February 1971): Bill appeared on this talk show along with Dave Meggyesy and Rosey Grier (who Bill worked with in the tv movie, “Second Chance”).

Guest of Honor: Paul Revere(1971): Not a lot is known about this project. It was envisioned as a live-action, syndicated show about American history and produced by Filmation. Bill appeared as Paul Revere in one of the episodes. The director was William Shatner.

The Steve Allen Show(April 1971): Bill was a guest along with Abbey Lincoln, Ed Bolton and his singing dog, and Pat Buttram.

The Movie Game(1971): This game show was co-hosted by Army Archerd. A panel of 3 actors faced off against another panel of 3 actors. Meanwhile a lucky audience member was able to win prizes based on the team he/she was given and if that team won. Bill appeared twice on the show. On one episode he appeared with Celeste Holm, Elizabeth Ashley and Daren McGavin. Bill had worked on an episode of McGavin’s P.I. show “The Outsider.” Bill would later work with Celeste Holm on the tv movie made by Disney called “Bluegrass Special.” Bill also teamed up with Elizabeth Ashley who he later worked with on the tv movie “Second Chance.” The next episode featured Henry Fonda, Werner Kempler, Jack Cassidy and Angie Dickinson. Bill and Angie would work together twice on her show “Police Woman” in the episodes The Beautiful Die Young and Silky Chamberlain (named after Bill’s character).

Imperial Oil/Esso Commercial(1971): This was a commercial for Esso in Canada. Bill wanders around observing sputtering cars and saying, “That’s not performance.” Then he gets into his own car and it runs smooth. Bill breaks the 4th wall by turning to the camera and saying (about his car) “Now, THAT’S performance.”

The Virginian:The Politician(1971): Bill’s final appearance. The Virginian is called to the Bonham ranch, which is up for sale, and gets caught up in a feud between brothers Foster and Jack. Jack is an alcoholic and his brother Foster has decided to sell the ranch now that he’s about to become a Senator. Jack does whatever he can to sabotage the ranch sale. At one point, we see Jack assault a young wife who was a former saloon girl. When she’s found dead, he becomes the prime suspect. Jack doesn’t remember the previous night but the scandal will cause problems for brother Foster. Turns out the popular Senator has a secret that his brother knew all along. Foster was having an affair with the victim, Eileen, back when she was a saloon girl. She met a good man who married her but they were poor. Foster provided the couple with a piece of land on his ranch and farm equipment. However, he did this to be closer to Eileen especially when he sent her husband out of town to pick up farm equipment. Foster’s wife found out about this and they hatched a plan: pay off Eileen to not tell the Governor about the affair and pay off Jack to just leave town. Foster was too afraid about his reputation and confronted Eileen by himself. She had a gun, they fought and the gun went off killing her. In the end Foster’s career ends when the town finds out what he did. Bill played Foster Bonham and Jon Ericson played Jack. The two had worked together in the early days of tv on “Studio One” and later would work together on the “Fantasy Island” episode “Daddy’s Little Girl” and the “Murder, She Wrote” episode Joshua Peabody Died Here…Possibly. Actor Denny Miller also appeared in this episode. He and Bill would later appear in a “Murder, She Wrote” episode called Sticks and Stones.

Night Gallery:They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar(1971): Bill’s first of two appearances and his favorite tv role of all time. A plastics salesman is falling apart. Randy Lane is old, his wife is dead and his young assistant is slowly taking away his territory. Randy, who has been drinking a lot, learns that his favorite old bar is being torn down. Randy feels just like the bar. Soon he’s chasing old ghosts and memories of a better, more youthful time. However Randy’s long suffering secretary, who loves him, encourages the company to celebrate Randy’s 25th year a party. Bill played the downtrodden Randolph “Randy” Lane. There was a rumor about this episode that circulated for many years. A BIG thanks to Rod Serling’s daughter, Anne, for explaining it to me via the book “Rod Serling’s Night Gallery: AnAfter-Hours Tour” by Scott Skelton. The author referrred to a biography of Rod Serling written by Joel Engle. He interviewed Bill about the episode and this is what he had to say, “They mushed the tag. Don Taylor (the director) said, ‘We’ve got to do this other ending for the Tower,’ or for whatever. The tag in the original script, the way we wanted to film it, shows the bar destroyed by the wrecking ball and my character standing on a cement slab with the rain pouring down, that’s all. End of show. No last-minute rescues in that version. Lane is left as a man who can’t live in the past and is unwilling to live in the present.“

(CONT.) Actress Susannah Darrow, who played Lane’s wife in the hallucinations, said her script was also very blunt, but sad and hearfelt with Randy looking up in the rain. However, director Don Taylor said the “jolly good fellow” celebration ending (as it became known) was always the intended ending. So that’s two actors vs. one director as to which ending was original. Confused? Well, consider this (as Serling would have said), Rod Serling wrote a script called Backward, Turn Backward. He revised it and it became Tim Riley’s Bar, complete with “jolly good fellow” ending. There were a few more script revisions but all had the same ending and Serling submitted the final draft to Universal. This is according to the Rod Serling Archive. So, where did Bill and Susannah get this memory of a sad, rainy ending? The answer may be from the following: Actor John Randolph, who play Randy’s boss, donated a script to the Hollywood Regional Library Branch. Scott Skelton refers to page 42 which said it was a revision, typed up by the secretary of producer John Laird. It had the secretary’s initials on it. That means the “jolly good fellow” scene WAS revised (as Bill and Susannah recall). It is suspected that the producer of Tim Riley, decided to take Serling’s “jolly good fellow” and change it to the more depressing ending. Serling, since he wrote this and other episodes, fought very hard to make sure his words were not changed by production staff. This probably explains why Mr. Randolph’s script said “revision,” meaning the producer reinstated Serling’s original ending.

(CONT.) The night this aired there was a blackout in Los Angeles and the last minutes went black. A news station aired the ending the following day. The episode was nominated for an Emmy award but lost. Bill felt the studio didn’t give it enough press during the nominations. Bill loved this role so much he even bought a copy so his children could see him “at his best.” He said, “It was the best script I had ever been offered. The character and story were incisive and believable. After it aired, I got a most welcome phone call from Rod Serling. Thanks for doing the job, the usual nice stuff I was rather proud of that.” Bill even used his own military record, as a paratrooper, for the character of Randy. This was the first time Bill worked with actor Bert Convy. They worked together later in an episode of “Love, American Style” called Love and the Television Weekend, they also worked on an episode of “Banacek” called Project Phoenix and finally when Bert hosted the game show “Super Password” in 1986. This was a departure from the normal format of “Night Gallery” since the show usually focused on mystery or the supernatural. This was also the season finale episode and the last to be done in 60 minutes. When the show returned it was only 30 minutes. Diane Baker played Randy’s comforting secretary. She and Bill would later work together on two episodes of “Murder, She Wrote” called Simon Says, Color Me Dead and A Christmas Secret.

That Girl:That Script(1971): In this episode Ann falls in love with a novel and wants her agent to get the rights so she can buy it for a movie. Donald agrees to help finance the purchase however the writer, Joseph Nelson, has long retired and doesn’t want to sell. Ann and Donald track him down at his home and, after meeting Ann, he agrees to sell her the rights and write the screen play. Bill played the elderly author Joseph Nelson. The reason he changed his mind is because Ann looks exactly like his first wife who died. This was the second time Bill worked with actress Nina Foch. They had worked on the pilot movie for “Columbo” and later on an episode of “McMillan & Wife” called Phillip’s Game.

The Tonight Show(July 1971): Bill was one of Johnny’s guests back when Carson did the show in New York City. It was here that Bill told Johnny that “My World and Welcome to It” didn’t last because it could not beat “Gunsmoke.” A fan pointed out that Bill joked about being the President of the Pasadena Yacht Club. No boats, no water, just a chain link fence and plenty of booze! The Carson people told me this episode no longer exists due to improper archiving back in the 1970s. At that time, the shows were taped over each other.

Hollywood Television Theatre: Big Fish, Little Fish(1971): This was the first episode of this PBS series, taped in Los Angeles, and aired on KCET-TV. It was based on the 1961 play. William Baker was a one-time rising academic and is now in a lowly editor’s position at a publisher. When we first meet him, it’s his birthday. He lives in an apartment that practically has a revolving door. His friends come in and out…who comes, who goes? Among his friends are:Jimmie an effeminate art teacher, Edith who practically lives with William even though she’s married. Their sex life was passionate but has since fizzled. Basil, an intellectual with a dirty mind, Hilda and older lady who is picked on by Basil, Ronnie, a young writer who has been a good friend of William and Viola, a former lover who always calls William. He can’t say no to them coming in and out of his life. However, Ronnie offers William a chance to get a prestigious job in Switzerland. William turns it around and accuses Ronnie of trying to break the cycle between William, the big fish and his friends, the little fish. Do they need him or does he need them? We also learn that William was a celebrated biology professor who lost his job when a female student killed herself in his apartment. She left a note saying the two had just ended an affair but William denied it. At the end of the play it turns out William lied…he did have an affair with the girl. She was the unattractive daughter of a trustee who would almost guarantee William the role as president. William even proposed marriage but got cold feet and sent the girl a note saying “sorry.” That’s why she killed herself. William eventually agrees to leave his pond only to have the job fall through. His friends feel orphaned. Willam still decides to go to Europe, even for just a getaway making it unclear if he will return to his pond. The play was quite interesting with all the action happening on one set. Bill played the lead, William, who welcomes everyone with open arms, especially the women. According to a newspaper review, the play was not changed for this performance, even the curse words remained.

This is Your Life Bill Bixby(1971): Bill appeared on behalf of friend Bill Bixby.

Love, American Style: Love and the Television Weekend(1971): This was Bill’s second appearance on the show. Charlie is left home alone while his wife visits her sick mother. When we first meet him, he’s essentially a slug sitting around drinking beer. However, his wife points out how he had a lot of women’s hair on his coat and that he was getting letters from a massage parlor. Charlie insists he’s faithful now and he’ll just hang around and watch tv. However, as soon as his wife leaves, Charlie calls his friend Herbie, a swinger. They plan a trip to a new strip club called The Raunchy Rabbit. Charlie keeps hitting on women with no luck until Herbie points him to the direction of a mysterious stripper. All three end up at Charlie’s apartment and just at the right moment, Helen walks in. Charlie fumbles, trying to explain that nothing was happening and Helen forgives him. At the end, we learn that Herbie and the stripper were in on a plan with Helen to keep Herbie from getting into “trouble.” Bill played Charlie who acts like a nerd but thinks he’s a real ladies man. It’s actually laughable to think his wife is so worried that he’ll go out an cheat on her. It’s even funnier to watch Bill just go all out in this episode, drooling over the stripper during her performance and getting turned on when she wants to show him “position #4” in yoga. Charlie clearly has a lot of bark but no bite. This is Bill’s third time working with actor Bert Convy. They worked on Bill’s famous “Night Gallery” episode, then on the “Banacek” episode Project Phoenix and Bill made some appearances on “Super Password” which Convy hosted in the 1980s.

Assault on the Wayne(TV Movie)(1971): It’s the Cold War and enemy agents board a submarine, the Wayne, disguised as U.S. Navy personnel. Their goal is to sabotage and steal the submarine’s anti-ballistics missile guidance system. Commander Bill Kettenrig is heading up the mission. He had some mental issues in the past and his mental state is questioned by Dr. Frank Reardon who is among the crew onboard. Unfortunately Reardon is one of the enemy agents and, as a doctor, he’s slowly trying to kill the Commander with injections and pills. The plot is thwarted and Reardon is hauled away in cuffs. Bill played Dr. Reardon. Once again he worked with Leonard Nemoy. This was also the first time Bill worked with “Murder, She Wrote” co-star Ron Masak who played CPO Corky Schmidt. However, they don’t have any scenes together. This is also the first time Bill worked with actor Sam Elliot. They would later work on the miniseries “Once an Eagle” (also co-starring Ron Masak) and then on the nighttime soap opera “The Yellow Rose” in the last episode.

Alias Smith and Jones:Wrong Train to Brimstone(1971): Hayes and Curry have to leave town because the sheriff knows who they are. The two steal train tickets and head for Brimstone. Turns out the tickets belong to a pair of detectives hired to destroy Hayes and Curry’s old gang. The train is carrying gold and it’s expected the gang will rob it. Luckily no one on the train know what Curry and Hayes looks like except the only woman joining the detectives. Jeremiah Daley is the man who came up with the plan to trap the robbers. However he really has plans to steal the gold for himself and the female detective…Daley’s girl. Luckily, Hayes and Curry thwart the plan and Daley and his girl get tied up in the end. Bill played Jeremiah Daley. This was the second time Bill worked with actor Ben Murphy (Jones). They had worked together on an episode of “The Virginian” called The Orchard. They would later work on the tv show, “Griff” on the TV movie “Bridger” and in an episode of “Lottery!” called Boston: False Illusion. A few years later the networks would team this Brimstone episode with another episode and air it as a movie called “The Gun & The Nun.”

Mission:Impossible:Blues(1971): Appearance 3 of 4. This episode is a little out of the IMF’s league. It’s got nothing to do with Cold War spies. Instead, the team is investigating a corrupt record producer, Stu Gorman, who’s accused of killing one of his star singers. They let Barney go undercover as a rising star to infiltrate the record company. Bill played Gorman as a cool and calculating, but slimy producer and killer.

Men at Law:Let the Dier Beware(1971): The show was originally called “Storefront Lawyers” with the main character leaving a big law firm and opening up a small office on the streets. The show switched themes (due to poor ratings) and had the lawyers return to a big law firm. In this episode, an heiress named Kate Callendar tries to take her grandfather out of a controversial clinic. However, the elderly man is convinced he’s alive because of the clinic. The doctor, Simon Branby, is controversial for using acupuncture as treatment. He refuses to release the patient and has Kate arrested for a variety of charges. That’s when Hansen shows up to get her out of jail since his firm already represents the heiress. Branby drops the charges but is later murdered. Kate is the prime suspect and Hansen soon uncovers the late doctor’s past.

(CONT.) Turns out Kate’s grandfather killed Simon Branby. The “doctor” ordered the older man to leave because his case was causing too much trouble at the clinic. The older man refused and pulled out a gun, which he kept for protection. Branby tried to hypnotize the elderly man but it didn’t work and he shot Simon. Bill played Dr. Simon Branby as cold, calculating and drunk on power. He sported a unique moustache and beard that was his own. You can tell how he maintained the various angles of growth with his straight-edge razor. This is the first time Bill would work with Robert Foxworth. A year later they would appear together in the unsold tv pilot “The New Healers.” Also appearing in the episode, Larry Linville who worked with Bill on an episode of “Mannix” called Shadow of a Man, then later on an episode of “The Love Boat” and also on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Curse of the Daanav. This is the first time actor Gerald O’Loughlin appeared with Bill. They would later work on an episode of “The Rookies” called Time is the Fire, on the miniseries “Blind Ambition,” on an episode of “Automan” called Staying Alive While Running a High Flashdance Fever and then on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Badge of Honor. However, they only had scenes together in “The Rookies” and “Murder, She Wrote.” In the later, Bill’s character Seth and O’Loughlin’s character Ben played army buddies. Seth shares a touching story about Ben saving Seth’s life. Also appearing in the episode, actress Mary Jackson best known as Miss Emily on “The Waltons.” She and Bill would later work together on the tv show “Parenthood” where Jackson played the grandmother and Frank’s (Bill’s character) mother-in-law.

Cannon:Death Chain(1971): Harry Kendrix, arrives at the home of his mistress Donna. Someone shows up and it’s a man Donna apparently knows. He forces her into a car and Harry tries to run after them but he barely gets a look at the kidnapper. The man ends up killing Donna. Kendrix hires Cannon to find out who did it but wants it hush-hush so Mrs. Kendrix doesn’t know about the affair. It turns out Donna was using Kendrix to get close to him and learn about a money exchange that was happening at the bank that Hendrix was the president. Bill played the husband/lover Harry Kendrix. This is the second time Bill works with actor Don Gordon. They worked together in a two-part episode of “The F.B.I.” called By Force and Violence. In both shows their characters are involved in a fist fight. Bill would later work with William Conrad when he directed the tv horror film “Side Show.”

A Taste of Evil(TV Movie)(1971): This tv movie starts out with the abuse of a young girl by a stranger. Fast forward to the present. The girl, Susan, is now a young lady, having spent several years in an institution since the attack. Her mother is taking her back home. Once there, she sees her “Uncle” Harold Jennings who has since married Susan’s mother after the death of Susan’s father. Uncle Harold leaves for a business trip but Susan begins to hear things and also see his body in different parts of the house. Is she going crazy? Is it real? It’s hinted at that Uncle Harold abused Susan. Turns out it was the family groundskeeper. He and Susan’s mother were also trying to make the girl go crazy so the mother could get her hands on her daughter’s inheritance. Uncle Harold was never dead, the groundskeeper and Susan’s mother were using a dummy to gaslight Susan. Uncle Harold is very much alive and arrives in the nick of time.

(CONT.) Bill played Uncle Harold who was originally a family friend before becoming a step-father. The sheriff who arrives at the end is actor Kurt Russell’s father. Bill worked with the younger Russell in “Fool’s Parade” shortly before this and then in Disney’s “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t” a year later. This was also Bill’s second time working with Roddy McDowell, who played Susan’s doctor. They worked together in the movie sequel “Escape from the Planet of the Apes” and then a year later in an excellent episode of “Columbo” called Short Fuse. In the 1980s they would work on “Murder, She Wrote” in Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble and with the California Artists Radio Theatre(CART). Ironically Arthur O’Connell, who played the gardener, was the second actor to play John Monroe in a failed attempt at trying to sell the James Thurber character on an episode of “The June Allison Show.” He and Bill would appear together a year later in an episode of “The Jimmy Stewart Show” called Old School Ties. In the year this movie aired, Bill would work with actress Barbara Parkins (Susan) again in the film “The Mephisto Waltz.”

Marriage: Year One(TV Movie)(1971): This film starred Sally Field as a young woman from a rich family who marries a medical student. He insists on the couple living off his pay with no help from her family. Bill played Warren Duden, her father. This is the first time Bill worked with Sally Field. They would appear again in her sitcom “The Girl With Something Extra.” Actress Agnes Moorehead (“Bewitched)” co-starred as the liberal grandmother of Field’s character. Randolph Mandtooth played the medical student husband. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Murder Digs Deep. In a book about Agnes Moorehead, Bill said she was the only memory he had of doing the film.

Medical Center:Blood Line(1971): Bill’s first of 4 appearances, not counting his appearance in the pilot. Young Jimmy McCrae has an accident and is rushed to the ER. There Dr. Joe Gannon learns the boy needs surgery but there’s a problem with his blood Meanwhile his father, Nick, is living in Canada after jumping bail for a murder charge. Nick has been secretly visiting his wife and Jimmy thinks his dad is working in Canada. Jimmy has a form of anemia and the only one who can provide a blood transfusion is his father. Gannon knows Nick is around and is determined to get the blood to help Jimmy. One night, Nick shows up at the hospital hoping to take Jimmy away and make a break for Canada but the boy is too weak to make it. However Gannon arrives and takes the boy in for immediate treatment. Bill played the down on his luck fugitive, Nick McCrae, who will do anything for his family. He gave a touching performance when he finds his son in a hospital bed.

Cade’s County:Violent Echo(1971): Cade (Glenn Ford) helps a man about to be executed for the murder of his girlfriend, Laurie, 8 years before. Cade believes the man is innocent and tries to convince the defense attorney Frank Leonard to do something before the man is executed. Leonard said he did all he could and that no more can be done. Cade begins to look into the case again. Laurie had kept journals that mentioned an older man she was seeing. He was married and he eventually broke it off after learning Laurie was pregnant. In the end Cade learns it was attorney Frank Leonard who was the lover. He killed Laurie because she would be a threat to his political aspirations. In the end, Cade takes Frank down and arrests him while saving an innocent man from execution. Bill played Frank Leonard the attorney who seduced a young girl, got her pregnant, then killed her to protect his image. This is the first time Bill appeared in a project with actor Glenn Ford. They would later appear in the tv miniseries “Once an Eagle.”

Marcus Welby, M.D.:Ask Me Again Tomorrow(1971): In this episode Dr. Sam Mason, a talented neurosurgeon, is taking on too big of a patient load. He’s also been snappish with Welby, he colleagues and his wife. No one can understand what’s happening. When Dr. Mason’s patient needs a second procedure he runs low on energy during the procedure and it’s discovered Mason is taking uppers. The next day his patient dies. When Mason is operating on another patient he demands a shot of drugs but almost kills the patient on the table. Defeated, he allows another doctor to finish and Mason admits to his wife his problem. They end up arguing and, while DT’ing, Mason slaps Nancy. She decides to leave him for good. Only then does Mason realize what’s in jeopardy. The episode was shot early in the season but was held over for several months. Reportedly the AMA was going to file a lawsuit because it disapproved of the script showing a doctor addicted to drugs (which was very common but not publicized). Bill played the addicted Dr. Mason. Bill and Robert Young had worked together on the variety show “Robert Young Presents: The Family.” This was the first time Bill worked with actress Sharon Acker (Nancy Mason). She and Bill would appear in an episode of “The Delphi Bureau” called The Terror Broker Project and then again in the “Murder, She Wrote” episode Keep The Home Fries Burning. The episode title is from a line Dr. Mason says to Dr. Welby.

The Man and the City:The Deadly Fountain(1971): In this episode, an aging Congressman Ralph Lawson, is going to dangerous extremes to look younger (dying his hair, and taking uppers). He’s running for Senate and hopes his look will help him gain the more youthful vote. Bill played the politician, who’s trying to reverse the aging process. The show starred Anthony Quinn and his daughter, Valentina, made her first acting role in this episode. It reportedly took two hours to make Bill look like he turned back the hands of time. Appearing in this episode is actor Mike Farrell. He and Bill would later appear in an episode of the tv show “Providence” entitled The Invisible Man.

Robert Young and the Family(1971): This falls into the genre of variety show. Young and fellow cast members, including Bill, appeared in various comedic sketches about the American family. Others in the show included Jack Warden, Dick Van Dyke, Lee Grant and Beau Bridges. Bill had worked with Robert Young on an episode of “Marcus Welby, M.D.” called Ask Me Again, Tomorrow. Bill was interviewed for his appearance and was able to spout a lot of statistics about the number of Americans families in the US at the time and the number of new products introduced on the market. Bill loved to memorize obscure facts.

All in The Family:Success Story(1971): A rather sentimental episode. Archie gets a call from an old army buddy who wants to visit him. Eddie Frazier is a millionaire car dealership owner. He arrives at 704 Hauser Street for a reunion with Archie and some old pals. They all admire him, especially Archie. At one point Eddie excuses himself to call his estranged son. The rather long phone call shows Eddie pleading for his son to see him. The audience learns that the son refuses. Eddie yells and even cries during the call. Mike overhears and asks Eddie what his son wanted and Eddie says, “He wants me to stay the Hell away from him.” Then Eddie rejoins his friends, tells some really bad jokes and sits while the guys sing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Bill did a great job as Eddie, a man laughing on the outside and crying on the inside…money can’t buy love. This script was a departure from the usual scripts. Also in 1971, Bill had worked with Norman Lear and Rob Reiner on a one-episode variety show called “Robert Young presents the Family.” It’s unclear if this was the impetus that lead Lear to cast Bill in “All in the Family.” Lear later had Bill appear in episodes of “One Day at a Time” and “The Facts of Life.”

Columbo:Short Fuse(1972): The heir to a chemical company, Roger Stanford, is pressured into giving up his birthright by his uncle, David Buckner. Stanford is a carefree photographer and also a chemical genius and he would be next in line to run the family’s chemical company. Stanford rigs a box of cigars with explosive chemicals to kill his uncle when the box is moved even the slightest. Buckner is killed but it looks like his limo driver ended up crashing the car in a ravine on a way to an important meeting. Presumably Vice President Everett Logan is set to take over, but Stanford invokes his birth right and becomes the president. Columbo is hot on the case making sure he annoys Stanford enough for him to slip up.

(CONT.) Columbo knows Stanford is the killer. He calls for him and Logan to meet in a tram going up a mountain. It would arrive at the home of Sanford’s aunt at the top. The detective fools Stanford into thinking the cigar box didn’t explode and that it’s in the tram with Columbo and Logan. Stanford breaks down and admits the murder plot out of fear the box will explode. The episode ends with Stanford laughing at his own incrimination. What’s interesting about this episode is the end was shot on a real tram in Palm Springs. At one point Stanford opens the tram door while it’s moving. Bill said this was one of the worst experiences of his life and that he would never have agreed to do the show if he knew. For some scenes Bill had to run the camera as the tram had limited space for the three actors and equipment. This was Bill’s second “Columbo” appearance, his first being the pilot called Prescription: Murder. This was the first time Bill worked with creators Levinison & Link. He would later work with them on “Murder, She Wrote.” Once again Bill works with Roddy McDowell who played Stanford.

It’s Your Bet(1972): This game show teamed up celebrity husbands and wives playing for an audience member. One spouse would get a question and then bet in certain increments what the spouse would answer. The host would get a question by phone, then call the spouse to answer. The other half of the couple was separated by a wall so he/she wouldn’t hear the question or answer. Bill appeared with his fourth wife and the other pair on the episode was Jane Withers and her husband.

Mantrap(1971): This unusual talk-show format featured 3 female celebrities interviewing a male celebrity on a series of topics. Bill made an appearance on the show which was hosted by Alan Hamel. He went on to marry actress Suzanne Sommers. Bill and Sommers would later work on a pilot show called “The Suzanne Sommers Show,” which never made it to air.

Get Well Soon(1971): Bill was the narrator of this program special. It took a close look at the high cost of medical care in the Southland. It sounded like a public television special.

Medical Center:Vision of Doom(1972): Appearance 2 of 4. A professor, Charles Nolan, has the gift of ESP and he’ll soon show his technique to some of the doctors at medical center including Dr. Gannon. Charlie then has a vision that his wife collapsed and is in the ER. A few minutes later Gannon learns the woman has just shown up. She needs surgery due to a brain tumor and a friend of the Nolans and Gannon is nominated for the job. However, Gannon catches Charlie and Ruth kissing, and Gannon thinks the vision is more of a guilty conscience. Charlie admits the affair to Louise who decides not to have the surgery. Only Ruth can convince her to “fight” her for the love of Charlie. While under anesthesia Louise does crash on the table but is saved by the defibrillator. Charlie’s prediction partially came true. In the end, Ruth realizes the fight for Charlie is over. Bill played the role of Charlie as a tortured man torn between two women he loves. He played many of these roles in the 1970s. What’s odd is that in this episode the make-up person decided to add dark eye shadow around Bill’s eyes to the point he looked like a racoon.

The Mike Douglas Show(June 1972): Co-hosting the show was Bill’s good friend Bill Bixby. Other guests were Pat Paulson, Riva Poor and Bobby Short.

Love, American Style: Love and the Ghost(1972): Bill’s third appearance on the show. Hubert Kreitman is a widow who is visited by his wife’s ghost. She thinks the two can resume their marriage however Hubert is about to get married to his new girlfriend. Hubert hires a ghostbuster who says he can solve everything. In the end there’s a double wedding: Hubert and his new wife while his ghost wife weds Abraham Lincoln. Bill played Hubert with comic flare. Actress Pat Delaney played Hubert’s fiancé. She and Bill worked together that same year on the film “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t.” Betsy Palmer played Hubert’s ghost wife. She and Bill would later appear together in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Sticks and Stones.

Ironside:Achilles’ Heel(1972): Appearance 2 of 2 for Bill, The son of a prominent judge, Lawrence Van Buren, is framed for murder. The judge tells Ironside both father and son have been offered high profile jobs if the judge goes easy on a mobster, Frank Stillwell. Unfortunately Van Buren’s son picks up a girl one night and wakes up the next morning in her apartment with her dead body on the floor. The man can’t remember much and it’s up to Ironside and his team to find the real killer. Judge Van Buren is pressured to go easy on the mobster’s sentencing but in the end Van Buren does a double cross. This leads to the son’s exoneration. What’s interesting about this episode is that it rains the entire time. At the end it stops and the judge has the last line, “Looks like the son (sun) IS coming out.” Bill played the loving father and judge, Lawrence Van Buren. Actor Henry Beckman appears in this episode. He and Bill appeared in the “Night Gallery” episode about Tim Rileys’ bar. However he and Bill do not have scenes in this episode. Actor Rick Lenz played son Larry Van Buren. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called If It’s Thursday, It Must Be Beverly.

Night Gallery: Little Girl Lost(1972): Bill’s second episode and, though not as powerful as his first, it’s still a great performance. Professor Putnam, a genius scientist, is working on a formula for fusion. The problem is, Putnam is hallucinating that his dead daughter is still alive and with him. Putnam combs invisible hair, puts an invisible girl to bed, etc. The government sends Tom Burke to befriend and encourage Putnam to finish the weapon. Burke even pretends the invisible girl is real, all to make Putnam finish the formula. At the end Putnam tells the invisible child that the world is full of bad people and that they’ll be together soon. Putnam attempts to kill himself by driving his car off the road but Burke prevents it. Putnam later admits that he knows his daughter is dead, he just couldn’t live in a world without her. That’s why he attempted suicide. However, this time he’s making sure his attempt goes through by finishing the fusion project and blowing up the entire planet. Bill played the distraught and delusional Putnam.

The Jimmy Stewart Show:Old School Ties(1972): In this episode James’ college is hoping to build a new field house. They need a lot of support and one alumnus pledges a huge check. It’s Martha’s (James’ wife) old flame, Mike “My-lord” Carruthers. He invites James and Martha out for dinner with his wife. The entire time he flirts with ex-girlfriend Martha and boasts about his riches. His wife is sick of it and all the other times he’s cheated. She is the one who’s rich and she cuts Mike off at the knees. Bill played the fun-loving Mike Carruthers but his character only shows up in the first half of the show. Jimmy even introduced the episode saying it was filled with a lot of old friends including, “William Windom.” At the end, Jimmy turns to the camera and wishes the audience his blessings until next week. Bill was perfect in the role as the rich, boisterous fool who acts silly, brags and only has eyes for his ex-love. This is Bill’s second time working with Jimmy Stewart. The first was the film “Fool’s Parade” and later they worked together in 1973 on Stewart’s crime drama “Hawkins” in the episode A Life For a Life. Also appearing in this episode, Julie Adams who played Jimmy’s wife. She and Bill would play a couple in the film “Goodbye, Franklin High” and then in “Murder, She Wrote.” Julie played semi-regular Cabot Cove resident Eve Simpson. Another Cabot Cove citizen was actress Gloria DeHaven who played travel agent Phyllis Grant and one of the town gossips along with the Eve Simpson character. DeHaven played Lucy Carruthers, Mike’s fed-up wife. Another actor in this show, John McIver. He and Bill worked together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called The Wife Of Your Friend May Not Be A Friend Of Your Wife.

Banacek:Project Phoenix(1972): An experimental car (worth half a million) AND the train car it was being transported on, has disappeared without a trace. Rather odd since the train never even made a stop. Banacek is asked to investigate so that an insurance company doesn’t have to pay on the huge claim. The car’s engineer, Harry Wexler, is convinced a competitive car maker is behind the theft. Turns out Wexler and the company president did it. Originally, Wexler was working on a computer system for the car but it wasn’t ready by the deadline. This made the car worthless and only Wexler and the president knew it. So they planned the theft so they could buy extra time and finish the car. Bill played the frustrated engineer Harry Wexler. This is the first time Bill worked with George Peppard. They later worked together on the film “Guilty or Innocent: The Sam Sheppard Murder Case,” an episode of “Doctor’s Hospital” called Surgeon, Heal Thyself, and in the pilot episode of “The A-Team” called Mexican Slayride. Bill joked that he kept mis-pronouncing Banacek. Once again Bert Convy works with Bill after they had already worked on “Night Gallery.” Also appearing in the episode, John Fiedler. He appeared in an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called My Papa the Swinger and he would later appear in the “Hart to Hart” episode With This Hart, I Thee Wed that Bill appeared. Character actor Stuart Nisbet played a security guard. He had worked on two episodes of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Forever Is A Cast-Iron Mess and Jewel Beyond Compare. Finally Peter Mark Richman was in this episode. He and Bill had worked on “The House on Greenapple Road,” then on “Blind Ambition” later in the 70s, on the Matt Houston episode “Heritage” and the “Hotel” episode Anniversary in the 1980s.

Second Chance(TV Movie)(1972): A rich stockbroker, Geoff Smith, decides to buy a ghost town to get away from his hectic life. His wife doesn’t want to leave where they live so she only comes for infrequent visits. Soon Geoff and his young son realize they need other people in the town so Geoff convinces other people to move to the new oasis/commune. Among them are a neurotic doctor, convict/handyman Stan Petryk with a wife and 7 kids, a former football player/blacksmith and a showgirl turned teacher. Soon the townspeople feel the town is no longer an oasis but a dictatorship. Bill played ex-convict and carpenter Stan Petryk of Chicago. He and his wife and their brood are rebuilding the saloon/hotel in the town. This was Bill’s second time working with Brian Keith who played Geoff. They previously appeared together on an episode of “77 Sunset Strip” called The Checkmate Caper. They would later work together on an episode of “Hardcastle & McCormick” called Surprise at Seagull Beach. Bill was one of the first 3 actors to sign on for the movie. He probably found the job easy. He wore one costume which was an old sweatshirt and old khaki pants. Also his hair was never combed and was actually pretty wild looking. Bill had appeared on a game show with Elizabeth Ashley who played Geoff’s wife in the film. Pat Carroll played Stan’s pregnant wife. She said Bill was the inspiration for her doing a one-woman show about Gertrude Stein.

Gunsmoke:The Judgement(1972): Appearance 3 of 3 for Bill. A convict named Musgrove is looking for revenge on Ira Spratt. He ratted out Musgrove as an army deserter and Musgrove served time. Musgrove takes Spratt, also a wife beater, from his home and rides him into Dodge to kill the cowardly man. There’s a shootout and Spratt escapes, taking shelter in a nearby barn. Musgrove takes the barn owner hostage and threatens to kill him unless the city turns over Spratt. Bill played the cowardly Spratt.

Circle of Fear: The Summer House(1972): A couple plan a return to their summer home for the season. The husband is away on business and wife, Martha Alcott, is left home alone. She’s never liked the house and she suspects something sinister is going on. Her neighbor, married man Charlie Pender (we never see his wife) is her saving grace. He’s always around when she calls in a panic. The mystery is focused on a well in the basement that keeps opening despite always being covered. In the end Martha’s husband arrives but he is murdered, at the well. Next we see Martha wakening up from a dream, screaming. It’s unclear if she killed her husband and keeps reliving it in a dream or if it was really the sinister house. Bill played Charlie Pender, the tender and kind neighbor who tries to offer help. This is the first time Bill appeared with with Steve Forrest. A few years later they worked on an episode of Forrest’s show “S.W.A.T.” called Coven of Killers and on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Race to the Death. This was also the first time Bill worked with actress Carolyn Jones (“The Addams Family”). They would work together on an episode of “Fantasy Island” called Daddy’s Little Girl.

The Rookies: The Time is Fire(1972): A deranged man, Frank Queenlin, has a grudge against rich people. So he kidnaps wealthy Andrea Sloan, at least her family is wealthy. The police try to track down Queenlin but he’s always one step ahead. However the kidnapper slips up and the police are able to track him down at an old factor. Officer Riker and Queenlin shoot it out but a fatal bullet hits Queenlin. Bill played the angry Frank Queenlin who thinks kidnapping is the answer. Bill probably enjoyed this role a lot. He started off as a straight man and the he descends into lunacy. In one scene he holds the girl in an abandoned theatre and does an improv burlesque show; Bill enjoyed burlesque comedy. This is the second time Bill appeared with actor Gerald S. O’Loughlin. They had appeared previously on an episode of “Men At Law” called Let The Dier Beware. They later worked together on the miniseries “Blind Ambition,” on an episode of “Automan” called Staying Alive While Running a High Flashdance Fever and also an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Badge of Honor.

The Great American Tragedy(TV Movie)(1972): A film about what it’s like to get older. Brad Wilkes (George Kennedy) is laid off from his well-paying job. However, he’s considered too old to be hired elsewhere. As the bills pile up and the economy shifts, Brad’s wife goes out and finds work and this puts a strain on the marriage. Brad is not alone, his neighbor Rob is going through the same situation. He ends up as a gas station attendant. Bill played Rob Stewart, who agrees that life stinks when you get older. Bill worked with George Kennedy on a episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” and the films “Mean Dog Blues” and “Fool’s Parade” although they shared one scene together in “Fool’s Parade.” Kevin McCarthy (Mark Reynolds), a good friend of Bill’s, also appeared in this film. Bill and Robert Mandan (Leslie Baker) would work the same year on an episode of “Circle of Fear” called Summer House. For the early part of the 1970s, Bill played several of these Male Menopause roles. He actually hosted a PBS show about the subject and when asked how he felt, Bill said he never went through it. He said aging was a part of life and he was fine with it.

The F.B.I.:The Jug Marker(1972): This was Bill’s fourth and final appearance on the show. The F.B.I. is after a criminal mastermind called the jug marker, Elias Devon. He’s the monetary backer behind a series of bank robberies. He comes up with the plans and money and then hires the strongmen. However, one of them, Murzie, is not too happy with his role. Meanwhile, one of Murzie’s men gets caught by police and talks. The F.B.I. is hoping they can use this information to catch the group and their jug marker. Elias Devon is a smart businessman who uses his charm and blackmail to get information on big money deliveries. Meanwhile, his wife is in a mental institution due to his years of mental abuse. In the end it doesn’t take long for Erskine to catch up with Devon, who gives up quite easily. Bill played Elias Devon aka the jug marker. Actress Katherine Helmond played Devon’s wife. She and Bill would work together, the same year, on an episode of “Gunsoke” called The Judgement.

Pursuit(TV Movie)(1972): A political extremist plans to steal a powerful nerve gas and unleash it during a political convention. A group of investigators, including Robert Phillips, is running out of time to stop the plot. Bill played Robert Phillips, one of the investigators on the case. This is the second time Bill worked with Ben Gazzara. They first worked on an episode of “Run For Your Life” called The List of Alice McKenna. This is also the first time Bill worked with Martin Sheen. A few years later they worked together on the miniseries “Blind Ambition.”

The Streets of San Francisco:45 Minutes From Home(1972): The first of Bill’s 3 appearances and my personal favorite. Pharmaceutical conventioneer, Russ Rankin, is in his car driving around San Francisco. A young girl, Lita, spots him and hops in, asking for a ride home. Russ is nervous but goes along. Lita invites him to her apartment and comes onto Russ. At first, he’s reluctant but then gives into his desires. However Lita insults Russ who pushes her aside and she bumps her head, falling unconscious. Russ thinks she’s dead and he flees. However, her boyfriend see’s Russ leaving the scene. The man is angry that Lita once again brought home a strange man and kills her. He then finds Russ in an attempt to blackmail him. Stone and Keller have to figure out who really killed Lita. Russ hatches a plan to shoot Lita’s boyfriend during the planned payoff. However, Russ’ wife arrives and he’s forced to explain the whole story.

(CONT.) Russ tells his wife not to worry, that he’s going to the boathouse to confront the blackmailer and only scare him. Russ’ wife is terrified and calls the police. Keller and Stone arrive just before Russ is about to shoot the blackmailing boyfriend. He makes a run for it but it caught in the end and is questioned along with Russ about who really killed Lita. Bill probably never gave this episode a second thought however it’s one of his best performances. You can see how his character is really torn and, when talking on the phone to his wife, he begins to tear up. Russ sees a girl his daughter’s age and wants her to be safe at home instead of on the streets. He’s also a straight-laced man secretly yearning for a little bit of excitement but afraid to get caught by his wife. When a young woman begins kissing him and making him feel wanted he can’t help but give into it. His breakdown to his wife clearly shows Bill living up to the nickname Willie the Weeper.

Medical Center:Broken Image(1973): Appearance 3 of 4 for Bill. An aging neurosurgeon, Dr. Brandon Gillette, becomes combative with his co-workers, including his wife, Arlene. Brandon is 53 and going through male menopause. One day a young woman, Maria, comes into the hospital with a brain tumor. Turns out she was a former patient of Brandon and had fallen in love with him. She asks him to take her case and he does. Soon he is falling for the girl. When the girl is in need of emergency surgery Gillette thinks he can save her with a risky procedure but Dr. Gannon tries to make him see the case differently. Gillette realizes he’s been acting stupid and he needs to leave his ego at the door. So Gillette steps down and let’s his wife perform the surgery. In the end, Brandon realizes he can’t go back in time and he can only hope to save his marriage. In one scene, Bill’s character is wearing red socks. Bill would wear his red socks when performing his Thurber one-man shows.

(CONT.) I would rank this performance right up there with Bill’s “Tim Riley’s Bar.” Once again the story is about an aging man who thinks life is over…a sort of male menopause. When Brandon meets Maria, there’s an awakening in him. Maybe because she’s young, because she’s giving him attention or because he may able to prove himself by saving her with his experimental procedure. The affair of the heart doesn’t go farther than a lunch in the park and some hand holding. Maria was played by actress and accomplished singer/song-writer Amanda McBroom. She is famous for penning “The Rose”(Some say love….) which was made famous by Better Middler in the film of the some name. A year later Bill would host and co-star in a PBS special called “Male Menopause” that explores the exact subject. In the “Medical Center” episode Brandon is aged 53 and his wife 48, yet the actress, Laraine Day, was 3 years older than Bill. In the episode, there’s a photo of a young Brandon in the couple’s apartment. The photo was of Bill during his stage days in the 1950’s likely around the time he toured the country for “Bell, Book and Candle.”

Hollywood Television Theatre: Winesburg, Ohio(1973): Another episode of this early 70s PBS series that taped in Los Angeles and aired on KCET-TV. This play looks at a town passed over by the Industrial Revolution and just festering in mediocrity. One young man yearns to break free and his mother tries to help him…after all she’s trapped in an unhappy marriage. She secretly loves the town doctor, Dr. Reefy and he loves her. Reefy is a philosopher of sorts and writes down small snippets on paper and shoves them in his pocket. When they’re full he just crumples up the papers and throws them away. Bill played Dr. Reefy. Appearing as the husband was actor Albert Salmi. He and Bill appeared in the film “Hour of the Gun” in 1967 and would later appear on an episode of “Petrocelli” and in the tv miniseries “Once an Eagle.”

The Partridge Family: Bedknobs and Drumsticks(1973): Reuben talks the family into starring in a tv commercial to sell Uncle Erwin’s Fried Chicken. The family films a nice, albeit cheesy, commercial expressing their love for the chicken. Erwin sees it and thinks it’s all wrong. So he makes the family dress in silly chicken costumes and film a more cartoonish commercial. The family is appalled but Erwin loves it. However it makes the family look foolish and they’re about to perform before Erwin’s franchise owners. When the owners see the commercial they laugh at it. Erwin doesn’t understand why. Shirley addresses the audience suggesting the commercial was just a little fun project and decides to show the original commercial instead. The crowd loves it, all’s well that ends well. Bill played Uncle Erwin in all his southern fried charm. The actors really disliked wearing the costumes. Bill said he hated wearing it too, when Erwin appears in a commercial the Partridge’s are watching. It’s pretty painful to watch (Bill probably felt the same shooting it), especially when Uncle Erwin is joined by his ventriloquist puppet and his lips clearly move. Bill and Shirley Jones had great chemistry and later appeared, that year, in the film “The Girls of Huntington House.” A few years later they would co-star in an episode of “McMillan & Wife” called Phillip’s Game. Bill worked with actor Danny Bonaduce for a second time. The two had previously worked on an episode of “My World” called Rally Round The Flag.

The Flip Wilson Show(September 1973): Guests included Monty Hall, Sandy Duncan and The Pointer Sisters. Bill did two Thurber monologues and then played the announcer, Jay, on a “Let’s Make a Deal” skit with Geraldine Jones. Bill was reportedly concerned about doing the monologue on a comedian’s tv show. However when he was told how many people would see it, especially when he was traveling with the “Thurber” show, he changed his mind.

Mission:Impossible:The Fighter(1973): Bill’s fourth MI appearance. This time the IMF infiltrates the boxing world by coming between a crook and his partner, boxing manager Paul Mitchell. It seems Mitchell used to be a straight manager in the past, but not any more. When one of his boxers is murdered the IMF intends to put Mitchell and his partner behind bars. The IMF has a useful tool to get both men .Mitchell’s daughter is in love with one of his boxers. Bill played Paul Mitchell who cannot stand to see his daughter involved with anything to do with boxing. The IMF gets Mitchell to turn states evidence by making him think his daughter has been murdered.

The Girls of Huntington House(TV Movie)(1973): The movie involves a former school teacher who is hired on at a home for unwed mothers. Anne Baldwin (Shirley Jones) finds that she’s growing too close to some of her students. Anne is portrayed as a strong, independent woman who wants love but doesn’t believe in marriage. This bother’s her boyfriend, Sam Dutton, but he loves her too much to let her go. Bill played Sam, who wants to marry Anne but she doesn’t think a relationship needs to be legal. Interestingly when Bill showed up for work the first day he realized he learned the wrong part. He thought he was going to be the father of one of the unwed girls. He didn’t realize he was playing Shirley’s boyfriend.

The Delphi Bureau:The Terror Broker Project(1973): This show aired for one season and featured government agent Glenn Gregory and his photographic memory. In this episode Glenn is assigned to an international agency to ferret out a world-wide coalition of assassins. Bill played one of the terror brokers and is billed as only as Broker.

WCPO-TV:John Wade’s TV morning show(1973): Bill appeared on this morning talk show in Cincinnati while promoting his one-man Thurber show.

Police Surgeon: Losers, Weepers(1973): The police are called to an apartment because of screaming. Inside they find a drunken man and an injured woman on the couch. The man says there is nothing wrong but the woman faints. Dr. Locke is examining the woman, who is severely beaten. Police arrest the man, her husband, or so they think. Turns out Delbert Norman Woodward and the woman, Phyllis, are brother and sister. They run a con game where Phyllis dates men, takes them home and Delbert walks in as the “angry husband” so the couple blackmail the unsuspecting man. Phyllis admits Delbert didn’t hit her but rather a businessman running for political office. He’s the suspect in a series of beatings involving women, and some have died. Delbert decides to blackmail the man, Robert Flemming, not knowing how dangerous he may be. Bill played Delbert Woodward who was hoping all his dreams would come true by blackmailing people.

Step Saver Floor Wax Commercial(1973): In a 1973 interview Bill gave for his one-man Thurber show, he mentioned shooting a commercial for Step Saver. Luckily it has been archived at UCLA. Bill said commercials paid the bills and he do anything for work, although he refused to do deodorant commercials.

Tenafly:The Cash and Carry Caper(1973): An upscale department store has been dealing with a series of shoplifting incidents. They’re about to display an expensive set of jewels and hire Tenafly to handle the security. Bill played a character named Weyburn who is the manager of the expensive store.

Griff: The Last Ballad(1973): Griff is called in when his good friend, a doctor, is accused of murder after providing an abortion for a rock star, Rebecca Wilde, who later dies. Turns out it was from an overdose of prescription meds. The suspects pile up including a Pulitzer Prize writer, Christopher Woods. He was writing a screenplay about the young rocker and was also in love with her. Woods said they planned to be married but he wasn’t even sure the aborted child was his as the young girl was always under the thumb of her manager. Griff confronts Woods when the detective learns the drugs in Rebecca’s system were really his. Turns out the real killer is Woods’ secretary. She and Woods were using each other: The secretary was the brains behind the screenplay Wood’s was allegedly writing. She was hoping to shop it around to the right producer. Meanwhile Woods was passing off the script as his own so young Rebecca would be impressed and fall in love with the has-been. Bill played character Christopher Woods as a burnout womanizer who really only cared to protect his reputation. He would have admitted to the murder if it kept the secret of the screenplay out of the newspapers. A few years later, this episode and another, All the Lonely People, were packaged together into a tv movie called “The Baltimore Girls.” This was Bill’s second time working with Lorne Green, the first being an episode of “Bonanza” called Star Crossed. This was also Bill’s third time working with Ben Murphy as they had already worked on “The Virginian” and “Alias Smith and Jones.” They would then work on “Bridger” and an episode of “Lottery!”

Hawkins: A Life For a Life(1973): Hawkins (Jimmy Stewart) decides to defend Joe Hamilton. The man blames two psychology professors for the suicide of Hamilton’s son. What’s worse Hamilton threatened to kill the men when interviewed by reporters after the coroner’s inquest. The episode is taken from a quote Joe says to the media after a coroner’s inquest. When one of the two men are killed in a car accident, Hamilton is arrested. The surviving professor swears Hamilton drove them off the road. Hawkins soon falls apart when he thinks about losing his young son. Then he tries to commit suicide in prison because he thinks he pushed his son into committing suicide. Once Hawkins gets the surviving psychologist on the stand he confesses to causing the accident to kill his co-hort. He admits the psychology study did cause Hamilton’s son to commit suicide. Bill played the emotional father Joe Hamilton This was the third time Bill and Jimmy Stewart worked together. Actually, Stewart said the first line in the film “Brewster McCloud” co-starring Bill. Instead of the usual MGM lion you hear Jimmy Stewart say the line, “I forgot my line.” Also appearing in this episode, Tyne Daly whom Bill had worked with in an episode of “The Virginian” called The Orchard. Actor James Hampton appeared in this episode. He and Bill would appear in the final episode of “Mannix” called Hardball. Noam Pitlik appeared in this episode. He and Bill had worked together on an episode of “My World…” called The Middle Years and on “The Farmer’s Daughter” in the episode Is He or Isn’t He?

The Girl With Something Extra: The Greening of Aunt Fran(1974): Bill’s first of two appearances as attorney Stuart Kline. Sally’s eccentric aunt Fran (Eve Arden) visits and she and Kline go out on a series of dates. What’s interesting about this episode Bill wears a pin on his left lapel jacket that is a paper American flag in the shape of a bow. He wears it in his second episode although no reason is given. Considering Bill was a WWII veteran it may have been showing support for those soldiers or perhaps those still fighting in Vietnam.

The Girl With Something Extra:The Sour Grapevine(1974): Bill’s second episode. John has been seen spending a lot of time with his secretary. His brother, Jerry, and even his boss, Mr. Kline, think the two are having an affair. Sally is the only one who believes John, who has been tutoring the woman for an upcoming law exam. John can’t reveal this and his boss decides to fire the secretary. It takes Sally’s trust to make Mr. Kline reconsider.

Chopper One:The Drop(1974): The daughter of a prominent surgeon is kidnapped. Dr. Doyle is assisted by the police and Chopper one to make a ransom drop. Two men, Marklund and Brandt have the girl in a cabin in the mountains. Marklund is the brains behind it and has demanded $200,000 for Jennifer’s safe return. At one point Marklund tells the girl her father didn’t do enough to save Marklund’s son during surgery. The boy died and his mother has suffered a nervous breakdown. To Marklund this is just an eye for an eye. However, Jennifer calls him out saying if it was really revenge why was he asking for so much money. Chopper one and Burdick make the drop and Burdkick manages to find the cabin. He arrives just in time before Marklund kills Jennifer. Marklund is injured in a shootout but the story ends happily. Bill played Marklund the man blinded by revenge and money.

Insight:When You See Arcturus(1974): Mr. Flemming (Efrem Zimbalist, jr.) a prominent businessman, is expecting company. A Mr. Todd from the Thanatos Society will help Flemming end his life. However, during the process, Flemming has flashbacks of his life and he notices his clock keeps changing. Is it the drug he drinks before the suicide or is it his conscience? Bill played Mr. Todd in an almost insurance salesman-type of way when it comes to suicide. Bill and Zimbalist were good friends going back to their American Repertory days.

The Wide World of Mysterey: Murder in the First Person Singular(TV Movie)(1974): English teacher Alfred Emerson says he’s dying. In order for his mother to collect on the life insurance, Emerson hatches his own murder…Double Indemnity. Emerson is quite prissy and a pain in the butt to his students especially Peter (whom he refers to only by last name). Emerson has him in his sites and just tortures him. One day he blackmails Peter to kill him off. He’ll fail Peter and force him to lose his scholarship. In reality, Emerson is setting up Peter for murder. On the night of the planned murder, Emerson is in the park when a gang confronts him and jumps him. A police officer and Peter happen to be nearby but are too late. In the end, Emerson’s mother is free of her son and Peter is free of Emerson. Bill starred as the prissy and completely unlikable professor. It’s unclear if he really was suffering from a terminal illness and if his murder in the park was accidental.

The Day the Earth Moved(TV Movie)(1974): A made for tv disaster film. A team of photographers, Steve and Harley, are shooting footage over a desert when the notice a problem with the film. Turns out the film can visually predict where and when an Earthquake is about to strike. The team tries to warn a small community but people refuse to listen. Bill played Judge Tom Backsler, one of the few living in the desert ghost town. In the end, everyone makes it out safe. This is the first time Bill worked with Stella Stevens. They have a small scene at the end. They both worked on an episode of “Flamingo Road” called The Stranger and then on the “Murder, She Wrote” episode Funeral at 50 mile which was Bill’s first MSW appearance and he wasn’t playing Seth. Cleavon Little co-starred in the film. He and Bill would later work together on a PBS special “A House Divided” and they had already worked on “The Homecoming” the film that started “The Waltons.” “Earth Moved” was produced by actor/singer Bobby Sherman (“Here Come the Brides”). He had his own production company. Bill also met his fifth wife on the set. She was working for Sherman’s production company. Sherman later left acting to become an EMT.

Hawaii 5-0:Bomb, Bomb, Who’s Got The Bomb?(1974): The 5-0 learns that Senator Harlan Henderson has been receiving several threats by mail. When his secretary is killed by a car-bomb meant for Harlan, the 5-0 tries to find leads on the threats. However it leads them to a psychologist who gives Garrett and Williams a new theory: a personality disorder. Can they stop the bomber before it’s too late? Bill played Henderson who is fighting subconscious memories that lead him to set off the bombs. This is the second time Bill works with actress Melody Patterson (who was married to James MacArthur). They had appeared in the film “The Angry Breed.” This is also the first time Bill works with actor Marc Singer. They would later appear in the TV movie “Journey Into Darkness.”

Police Woman:The Beautiful Die Young(1974): Bill’s first of two appearances in a rather insidious episode. Pepper and the squad get a complaint about a modeling agency in LA. It’s run by a slime ball named Ted Adrian. He places ads encouraging young girls to become rich models. Turns out Adrian drugs up the girls and uses them in porn films and human sex trafficking. Bill played Ted Adrian and the performance is quite creepy especially when he has one of the young girls show him her moves. Things get worse when the young girl at his apartment dies from a cocaine overdose. He loses it and finds a way to dispose of the body quickly. In the end, Pepper and the gang get Adrian, during a shootout. One tv critic called Bill’s role as stomach-churning. There’s a line, towards the end of the episode, where Adrian talks about nautical knot-tying. Adrian is tying up Pepper and mentions he hasn’t tied a knot since naval prep school and how they drill it into the cadets heads until they go crazy. Adrian says the knot is called a virgin’s kiss. Bill may have added these lines to his character since Bill did attend naval prep school with the intent on going to Annapolis.

Petrocelli:The Golden Cage(1974): Bill’s first of two appearances and the premiere episode of the series. A woman is accused of murdering a man while trying to get away from her abusive husband. In the beginning she hires Petrocelli to represent her in a divorce. One night an employee of Holbrook is murdered and Nancy is accused of it. Holbrook tries to bribe Petrocelli to abandon the divorce case. Holbrook’s attorney and right-hand man, Alex Mayberry, offers Petrocelli a retainer to take one of Holbrook’s cases instead. Petrocelli refuses and this only angers Holbrook. Now Petrocelli finds his case has gone from divorce to murder defense. However, Petrocelli is able to determine what really happened the night of the murder. It turns out Nancy was running away from her abusive husband when he yelled for Mayberry to shoot her. He fired the gun but hit the hired help instead. Holbrook and Mayberry agreed to frame Nancy for the murder. Bill played Mayberry, the real killer. This was the second time Bill worked with Rosemary Forsyth (Nancy Holbrook). They starred in the pilot “Is There a Doctor in the House?” in 1970. This is also the first time Bill appeared with actor Morgan Woodward (Lt. Cayle). They later appeared in the same scene of the “Dallas” episode The Venezuelan Connection. This was also the third time Bill worked with Arthur Salmi. They had worked on the film “Hour of The Gun,” the PBS Special “Winesburg, Ohio” and later on the miniseries “Once an Eagle.”

McMillan and Wife:The Game of Survival(1974): Bill’s first of two appearances. Mac and Sally investigate the murder of their host, Ewing Webley. It seems plenty of people wanted him dead including his son, his wife and her lover…a tennis pro. Ted Hoffenstein is the tennis pro’s coach and he’s hoping to keep his player out of trouble. Turns out Mrs. Webley killed her husband. Bill played Ted Hoffenstein, the tennis coach. Stefanie Powers played Mr. Webley. She and Bill would work together on the pilot episode of the crime show “Feather & Father Gang.” They would also worked together on an episode of “Hart to Hart” called With This Hart, I Thee Wed. Conrad John Schuck played Mac’s friend Sgt. Enright. He and Bill worked together in the film “Brewster McCloud.” Actor Andrew Duggan (Ewing Webley) and Bill had appeared in an episode of “Invaders” called Doomsday Minus One, in an episode of “Lancer” called The Great Humbug, in the “The Homecoming” (pilot for “The Waltons”) and they would appear together a few years later in the tv miniseries “Once an Eagle.” This is the second time Bill worked with actress Susan St. James. They had worked previously on an episode of “Name of the Game” called Lola in Lipstick.

Male Menopause: The Pause that Perplexes(1974): Bill hosted this special, that aired on PBS, about aging and mid-life crisis. He also appeared in several skits such as a carnival barker hawking a passion potion and a man at a bar talking to an unseen bartender. Actress Anne Meara appeared in some skits too. The skits were interspersed with interviews from regular people about looking younger, losing weight, erectile dysfunction….signs of getting older. At the end of the show Bill’s character says (about middle age), “What the Hell? It’s not so bad.” Bill actually got the role when he was in D.C. performing his one-man Thurber show. Director Richard Brown saw the show and thought Bill would be great as host and cast member because of his handle of comedy and drama. Bill and Anne Meara (Stiller & Meara) later worked together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Who Threw the Barbiturates in Mrs. Fletcher’s Chowder?

The Abduction of St. Anne(TV Movie)(1975): A detective and a Catholic Bishop team up to investigate a young girl believed to have mysterious powers. However she’s being held captive in the home of her sick father who is also a mob kingpin. Bill played Ted Morrisey, a religious fanatic. This is the second time Bill worked with actress Kathleen Quinlan. They had previously worked on the “Police Woman” episode The Beautiful Die Young. This was Bill’s first time working with Robert Wagner. They teamed up on the “Hart to Hart” episode With This Hart, I Thee Wed and then in the tv movie “There Must Be a Pony.”

Lucas Tanner: Shattered(1975): A teacher, Angela Bowman, asks Lucas to transfer a student, named Tom, to another class. She doesn’t give a reason. We soon learn it’s because Angela has been sleeping with Tom and he has ended the relationship. This sends Angela into a nervous breakdown and Lucas tries to help her. It only gets worse when Tom’s father demands Angela be fired and then arrested. At one point Tom’s father visits Angela to see what kind of woman she is. He tests her by saying his needs aren’t being met at home. He figures Angela is easy and will give into him. When she slaps him this angers the man even more. When Angela tries to kill herself at school Lucas and Tom stop her and get her the mental help she needs. Bill played Ed Michaelson, Tom’s father. Once again, Bill takes on the mantle of “male menopause victim.” He’s also creepy when he talks about his son’s girlfriend and how good her body is and how he’s sexually frustrated.When he’s trying to bring charges against Angela he shows up at her apartment. He tells her he is unhappy as a married man and figures she is like all the other “ladies” he’s met in the past. Question is, would he get it for free like his son or have to pay for it. This earns him a slap which he wasn’t expecting and he’ll be happy to see her in court.This episode was later re-edited and aired in the 1980s as a tv movie called “Help on My terms.” John Rudolph plays the school principal. He and Bill worked together on the Tim Riley’s Bar episode of “Night Gallery.”

Thurber(1975): A special that aired on tv in 1975, more likely on public broadcasting stations. This was a taped performance of Bill’s one-man show.

Journey From Darkness(TV Movie)(1975): This true-story film looks at a real life medical student, David Hartman, who fights prejudice to become a doctor even though he’s blind. Rejection upon rejection has caused David a lot of bitterness and threatens his close relationships. However, in the end, he finds a way to persevere. Bill played Dr. Cavaliere one of Hartman’s biology professors. Bill also invoked a southern accent which the real Dr. Cavaliere did not have. This was the second time Bill worked with actor Marc Singer. They had previously worked on the “Hawaii 5-0” episode Bomb, Bomb, Who’s Got the Bomb? Jack Warden also appeared in this film. He and Bill worked together on a variety show hosted by Robert Young. Also appearing, Joseph Campanella who worked with Bill on an episode of “Mannix” called The Girl in the Frame, on an episode of “Petrocelli” called The Golden Cage and then on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Sticks and Stones.

Barney Miller:Doomsday(1975): Just another day at the crazy 12th precinct. Wojo arrests a fake priest and the plumbing’s on the fritz. Then Mr. George Webber shows up asking Barney and the gang to arrest the DA. If not, Webber plans to take himself and the whole block out with dynamite strapped to his chest. Webber is downtrodden by all the crime and pollution going on in the world and no one will listen to him. Only Barney will, because he has no choice. Bill was great as Mr. Webber and put a lot of emotion into his character while also being able to balance it with some comedy. This was Bill’s first appearance on the show. He made a second appearance in the episode “Contempt” but you don’t see his face. This was the second time Bill worked with producer/director/writer Danny Arnold. They had worked together on “My World.” Arnold even asked Bill to appear in this episode. He was in London doing his Thurber show and flew back to do “Barney Miller.” This is the first time Bill worked with Max Gail. They would later work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Dead Letter.

Honda Commercial(1975): In a newspaper interview in 1975, Bill mentioned he just finished doing a commercial for the company.

Mannix:Hardball(1975): This was the last episode of the show and Bill’s last appearance. A drug dealer and his gang are about to become very rich when Mannix busts in and blows the whole deal. Only one man, Cliff Elgin gets away. He’s also in love with young Susan Kane, the daughter of ring leader George Kane. He and two other gang members are on trial when George thinks Cliff has a plan to bust them out. However, it’s a double cross. So Kane and his gang hold several people hostage including Mannix. Kane demands Mannix find Elgin and kill him or the hostages die. Mannix tracks down Elgin who is hoping to see Kane dead and escape to Mexico with Kane’s daughter. Things don’t quite work out as planned. In the end, Susan shows up to talk her father out of it, he has a change of heart and is killed by his own gang. Bill played George Kane, the drug kingpin. Actor John Ritter in his pre-“Three’s Company” days played Elgin. He later produced the tv show “Have Faith” which featured Bill in the episode Letters From Home. Also appearing in the episode, James Hampton. He had appeared in the episode of “Hawkins” with Bill. This was the final episode of Mannix and was directed by Bill’s good friend Bill Bixby. One of the scenes was shot on the old “Brady Bunch” set.

Petrocelli:Shadow of Fear(1975): Bill’s second appearance on the show. A woman asks Petrocelli for help because she murdered her ex-husband, named Archer. Sherill Brewster says her husband, the much older Alan Brewster, is accused of the murder and he needs an attorney. Petrocelli believes the man is innocent but a witness saw him with a gun and leaning over the body. Turns out Mr. Brewster knew about his wife’s past and had her investigated. He didn’t care what she was like but, because he was rich, he wanted to check her out first. Brewster said he never met Archer until the night of the murder but investigators find out the two men had been corresponding for quite a while. Brewster admitted they did correspond but he didn’t want to tell Sherill. This only makes it look worse for Brewster. There are a series of flashbacks showing Brewster’s side of the story and the prosecutor’s version. In the end it turns out that Sherill DID kill her ex husband and was planning to frame her current husband. Bill played Alan Brewster who was manipulated by the woman he loved.

S.W.A.T: A Coven of Killers(1975): A murderous cult leader, Joey Hopper, breaks out of a psychiatric ward and he and his “family” want revenge for his imprisonment. They focus on the D.A. and the police officer who was involved and that includes Hondo (Steve Forrest). An underground newspaper publisher named Ross Collins has been portraying Hopper as a sort of folk hero. He refuses to give Hondo the address of the cult until Hondo tells Collins the newest cult member is Collins’ daughter. He gives them the address and SWAT closes in to flush the “family” out. Collins arrives on the scene and begs Hopper to give up and let his daughter go free. She is the only family Collins has as his wife died after giving birth. There’s a gun fight and Hopper ends up dead and Collins saves his daughter. Bill played Collins the publisher who almost loses the most important thing in the world to him. Bill had worked with Sal Mineo in the film “Escape From the Planet of the Apes.” He had worked with Steve Forrest on an episode of “Ghost Story”/”Circle of Fear” called The Summer House and they later worked together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Race to the Death.

Guilty or Innocent:The Sam Sheppard Case(TV Movie)(1975): The film is based on the true story of Dr. Sam Sheppard. He was a doctor in Ohio accused of murdering his wife, which he denied. Bill played Walt Adamson one of the many reporters on the case who later befriends Sheppard. The Adamson character is sort of an amalgam of many reporters that covered the case. This is the second time Bill worked with actor George Peppard. They previously worked on an episode of “Banacek” called Project Phoenix. They would later work in 1975 on an episode of “Doctor’s Hospital” called Surgeon, Heal Thyself and then on the pilot episode for “The A-Team” called Mexican Slayride.

Mr. Truman Why Did You Drop the Second Bomb?(1975): This was produced by the BBC as a pseudo-documentary. Bill played President Truman being interviewed about the bombings of Japan during WWII.

Doctor’s Hospital:Surgeon, Heal Thyself(1975): Dr. Goodwin (George Peppard) tries to help out a former colleague, Dr. Ralph Keyes. He’s lost everything including his wife and daughter in a tragic accident. Goodwin tries to convince Keyes to become the top surgeon he once was. Bill played Dr. Keyes whose life means nothing after losing his family. This is the second time Bill worked with Albert Paulsen who played Dr. Janos Vargas. They previously worked on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called The Oscar Hummingbird Story and would later work together on the horror tv movie “Side Show.”

The Streets of San Francisco:Letters From the Grave(1975): Appearance 2 of 3 for Bill. Stone and Keller are called to Alcatraz when a body is found inside a wall. It turns out to be that of convict Lew Kovic, Sr. However, it was believed he escaped 20 years earlier. What’s worse, his family including his brother John Kovic, have been getting letters from the convict for years. Stone and Keller have to find out who’s been writing the letters and pretending to be the elder Kovic. Brother Jon has played surrogate to his nephew since his father’s incarceration. The boy is now a successful DA. Uncle Jon is not as he appears. It turns out and Lew were small time criminals working for a boss named Lugo. He killed a man and made Lew take the rap for it. Meanwhile, Jon paid a prison guard to maker sure Lew died with the secret. Stone, Keller and young Kovic learn the truth and now Lugo wants the boy dead. Jon pleads with him not to. In the end, young Kovic asks to meet his uncle at Alcatraz where he reveals that he knows the score now. Lugo’s men arrive too but Jon shoots one and takes a bullet himself. Bill played John Kovic, the man willing to see his brother serve time for a crime he didn’t commit.

Bicentennial Minutes(1975): Bill narrated a segment of this minute-long series produced through 1976 by CBS. They usually aired during commercial breaks.

Bionic Woman:Black Magic(1976): Jamie (Lindsey Wagner) goes undercover at the home of recently deceased Cyrus Carstairs. He was an inventor who discovered a top secret formula for a new alloy to be used in jets. His greedy relatives descend on the home looking for his formula, including the less than reputable Carstairs’ attorney Andrew Warfield. Jamie pretends to be a relative who had joined the circus and returns to hear the reading of the will. Warfield is mouse of a man and considered a fool by the family. However the relatives seem to be disappearing in the search for the priceless formula. It all comes to a head when Jamie finds the formula and her life is at stake. Bill played Warfield and described his role as some idiot in trouble. This is Bill’s second time working with actor Abe Vigoda (Barlow). They previously worked on an episode of “Barney Miller” called Doomsday.

The Streets of San Francisco:Requiem For Murder(1976): Bill’s third and final appearance in the series. Stone and Keller are investigating the shooting of Bishop Farrow who is a friend of Stone’s. The suspects include a rogue priest accused of stealing church funds and a woman seen running from the scene of the shooting. Turns out she and the Bishop were fond of each other. Helping with the investigation is Monsignor Frank Carruthers. One day, after the shooting, the Bishop is praying in the church and this time is fatally shot. In the end a small clue indicates that the murderer is an elderly assistant of the Bishop who was certain he was going down the path of evil. Bill played Msgr. Carruthers in a quiet and unassuming way. This is the third time Bill worked with actress Irene Tedrow (Mrs. Costello). The same year they’d work together on an episode of “Insight” called Jesus B.C. They had previously worked together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Katy’s Campaign and then on the 1972 TV Pilot “The New Healers.” This San Francisco episode was shot on location at Mission Dolores in San Francisco.

Medical Center:If Wishes Were Horses(1976): Bill’s fourth and final appearance. Three ex-medical center doctors are trying to keep their heads above water, running a free clinic in a poor side of town. However they’re resorting to cunning and small-time larceny to keep it open. The docs also face problems when they refuse to turn over a wounded gang members to the police. Meanwhile, a little girl is found outside the center. She pretends she’s sick but she won’t talk. Dr. Heeley lets here stay overnight and learns the girl can indeed speak. Later on she runs away after stealing some of Dr. Heeley’s money. Somehow he and his friend track the girl, Penny Crail, down at an apartment. Inside they find her father unconscious. The doctor’s take him to the clinic where they learn he OD’d on pills. Mr. Crail suffers from Huntington’s disease and he will die from it as there is no cure. He wanted to send his daughter to live with her aunt but the girl thinks her daddy will be just fine. Problem is, Mr. Crail hasn’t told Penny the truth, he can’t do it. He asks Dr. Heeley but Penny won’t believe him and she shutsdown by not speaking. It’s her way of dealing with the trauma. However, Dr. Heeley talks her into saying a final goodbye to her dad. Bill played the sick father, Mr. Crail. Bill did 5 episodes and this is, by far, his best. Bill not only had to act as an emotional father saying a final goodbye to his little girl but he had to act as a patient with a brain disease. Bill had to say his lines with a series of voice and body tics. Bill also sported a full beard and moustache which he did appear in on rare occasions. This is the first time Bill appeared with actor Eugene Roche and actress Kim Richards. Bill and Roche would later work together in the tv movie “Off-Sides”/”Pigs Vs. Freaks” and on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Bite The Big Apple. Bill and Kim would later appear, once again as father and daughter, on an episode of “Lottery!” called Boston: False Illusion. Actress Mary McCarty played an assistant at the hospital. She and Bill would appear together in an episode of “Trapper John, M.D.” called Taxi in the Rain.

Insight:Jesus B.C.(1976): Bill’s third appearance in this syndicated, religious-based show. It starts out with a gentleman looking out at the Earth. As the episode progresses we learn that the gentleman is known as God the Father and the world is falling apart due to his creation of Adam and Eve. God wonders what can be done so he calls in his friend Grace and his son Chris. The son decides he would like to go down to Earth and help the situation. Essentially the three represent the Trinity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is the second time in 1976 Bill would work with actress Irene Tedrow (Diedre the housekeeper). This is also the second time Bill and Tim Mattheson worked together. Tim appeared in an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called My Son The Athlete.

Bridger(TV Movie)(1976): A tv movie about the famous frontiersman Jim Bridger. He was given 40 days to clear a path through the Rocky Mountains to the West Coat. If not, the land would go back to England. Along the way he’s joined by Kit Carson and Jennifer Melford. They face snow, desert and native tribes but the three make it with time to spare. They are met by Senator Daniel Webster who made the bet with President Jackson that Bridger would be unsuccessful. Bill played Daniel Webster but is not seen until close to the end of the film. This was the second time he worked with actress Sally Field. This was also Bill’s third time working with actor Ben Murphy. Actor John Anderson appeared in the film. He and Bill also appeared the same year in the miniseries “Once an Eagle.”

Doc:Come Scrub With Me:(1976): The show was about a crusty, old doctor named Dr. Joe Bogert played by Barnard Hughes. He works in a low income neighborhood and doesn’t make a lot but that’s not important. In this episode his former colleague, Dr. Pike, comes to visit. Pike says he’s become very successful due to investments. Pike tries to talk the Doc into retiring from his busy clinic but doc says he couldn’t abandon his patients. Bill played Dr. Pike. He and Hughes had appeared in the tv movie “Guilty or Innocent:The Sam Sheppard Case.”

Gibbsville:Saturday Night(1976): This short-lived tv show focused on two reporters, Jim and Ray in a small Pennsylvania town, Gibbsville, in the 1940s. The shows were based on stories written by a real reporter named John O’Hara in the town of Pottsville. This episode focused on a series of events happening one Saturday night including the situation of a bank robber, a couple trying to hide something and a former flame of Jim’s who’s grown into a beautiful woman. Bill played a character Charlie Paxton a widower police officer who drinks too much and is too slow to be useful. One night he’s asked to work undercover at the local dance. A robber comes in to steal the receipts and Charlie is forced to shoot and kill him. Sadly the robber was just a young man and Charlie is sickened by this. Bill did not have too many scenes in the episode but he was sporting a mustache. It’s the first time he appeared in a project with Alan Young (“Mr. Ed”) who played Lanzler. They would work together on the “Murder, She Wrote” episode Keep the Home Fries Burning” and later with the acting group CART. This was Bill’s second time appearing with Bert Remsen who played Mr. Pell. They originally worked on the film “Brewster McCloud.” Also co-starring was actress Peggy McCay who played series regular Mrs. Malloy. She and Bill worked together in New York in the play “U.S.A.” and she also appeared with Bill in an episode of “Kojak” called Once More From Birdland. Actor Richard Mulligan appeared in the show but did not have scenes with Bill. Mulligan’s brother, Robert, directed Bill in the film “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

The Feather and Father Gang:Two-Star Killer(1976): In the first episode premiere Toni and her dad Harry offer help to a military aide. He’s framed for a hit and run murder. Toni and Harry learn the victim worked at a company that received a defense contract with the air force. It connects them to a two-star general named Northup, who made some money with the inside information. Harry and his friends set up a big con job to trap the General into thinking the victim didn’t die form his injuries. Bill played the general who wanted to make sure he couldn’t be blackmailed by the victim. In the episode Bill makes a toast and says “Skoal.” It’s Scandinavian for “Cheers.” Perhaps it was a nod to his “The Farmer’s Daughter” days because the character Katy (Inger Stevens) would say Skoal when toasting. Bill once again worked with Stefanie Powers, who played Toni. They had appeared in an episode of “McMillan & Wife” called Game of Survival. Harold Gould played Toni’s father. He and Bill worked together on two episodes of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called the Forever is a Cast Iron Mess and The Oscar Hummingbird Story.

The Tony Randall Show:Case: Money Vs. Stature(1976): Judge Franklin (Randall) must decide if he wants to stay on the bench or take a lucrative offer with his old law firm. His former law partner, Hamilton Kiss, suggests Franklin think about the offer. When he visits the old office and sees all the perks Hamilton is getting, Franklin is tempted but in the end stays on the bench. Bill played Franklin’s old law partner, Hamilton Kiss. Bill was extremely funny in this episode living the good life and teasing his French secretary. At the end of the episode Hamilton tells the Judge…”Ménage a Trois!” The judge asks Hamilton why he would say that and Hamilton says, “I don’t know it’s something my secretary keeps saying.” This is the second time Bill appeared with child actor Brad Savage (Oliver Wendell Franklin). They first worked on the tv movie “Second Chance” where Bill and Brad’s characters were father and son. They also appeared together in the 1976 film “Echoes of Summer.” Bill wears his wedding band in the episode which was not a necessary costume prop for his character. It was during his final marriage the Bill often kept the band on whether it was necessary or not.

Once An Eagle(TV Miniseries)(1976): A seven part miniseries focusing on two army officers. One is an opportunistic schemer and the other is the complete opposite. The story takes place between WWII and the beginning of the Vietnam War. Bill played Maj. Gen. Elroy L. “Duke” Pulleyne who was overseeing action in the South Pacific. Problem was, Pulleyene didn’t know what he was doing and almost got thousands of men killed. Also appearing in this series is Sam Elliot, who worked with Bill on the tv movie “Assault on the Wayne” and would later appear with him on one episode of the prime time soap opera “The Yellow Rose.” Bill’s future “Murder, She Wrote” co-star, Ron Masak, also appeared. He and Bill had worked previously on “Assault on the Wayne.” Other actors in the series: James Cromwell who worked with Bill on an episode of “Insight” called Jesus B.C., George Wyner would later appear with Bill in an episode of “Matt Houston” called Heritage, and David Huddleston who worked on ” The Homecoming” the tv movie that led to “The Waltons.”

One Time Only: A Conversation With William Windom(1977): A talk show in South Dakota that Bill appeared on while performing Thurber in the town of Brookings.

McMillan & Wife:Phillip’s Game(1977): Bill’s second appearance on the show. In this episode Mac and Sgt. DiMaggio plan to meet with a police informant who winds up dead. Meanwhile a businessman name Phillip starts following Mac around and soon becomes a stalker. Phillip has a history of killing people and gets away with it. Meanwhile, Mac had been receiving death threats and he traces it to a meek professor named Whalen. The professor apologizes and promises to see a psychiatrist. He admits he could never kill anyone or even hire hitman, which Mac suggested. Mac continues to become a moving target. He re-visits Whalen who seems a bit calmer than at the first meeting. He also has quite a home. Whalen finally admits that he is rich because he’s been writing trashy romance novels under a woman’s name. Again, he’s hardly a killer. Meanwhile Phillip shows up at Mac’s home explaining how he’s been playing games with Mac all along…he’s the killer. Bill played the embarrassed professor/author Mr. Whalen. This is Bill’s third time working with Conrad John Schuck (Lt. Enright). They worked previously on another episode of “McMillan & Wife” and in the film “Brewster McCloud.” Shirley Jones also appeared in this episode but she and Bill did not have scenes together. They did work previously on an episode of “The Partridge Family” and the tv movie “The Girls of Huntington House.” Also appearing, actor Lloyd Bochner. He and Bill did not have scenes together in this episode but they worked previously on the film “The Detective” as psychologist Dr. Robberts who is a friend of Bill’s character Colin MacIver. They also appeared together in the pilot movie “Richie Brockleman,” an episode of “Matt Houston” called Heritage and on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Unfinished Business. Also making an appearance, actress Nina Foch who worked with Bill on an episode of “That Girl” called That Script and in the “Columbo” pilot Prescription: Murder. Bill got to smoke his pipe in this episode.

Seventh Avenue(TV Miniseries)(1977): A three part miniseries about a young man, Jay Blackman, from the East side of New York. He’s determined to leave his old life behind and, through hard work, he becomes a legend in the garment industry. Bill played John Meyers, a washed up salesman married to a young wife, Eva, played by Jane Seymour. Eva only married John as a meal ticket, and a chance to see the world. She is an up and coming fashion designer who catches Jay’s eye. Eva admits she doesn’t love John, however she tries to remain loyal to him. Jay falls in love with her but she tries her best to fight off the lust. When John returns from a failed sales trip, he flies into a rage upon seeing Jay in the house with Eva. John failed to make any sales, starts to cry and admits he’s jealous of his wife, believing she’s cheating on him. She denies it so John asks her to make love. When she refuses he walks away in a huff. Soon Eva and Jay fall in love despite both being married. John finds them together and confronts the two. With a gun in his hand, John ends his own life. Actor Eli Wallach also appeared in the series. He and Bill worked together on Broadway in the play “Mademoiselle Colombe” and “Alice in Wonderland.” Bill was only in part 2 of the series. There’s a publicity photo of him and Jane Seymour as part of photo shoot for the couple’s wedding day, however there is no scene in the miniseries. Another, more close up of the couple, is featured in a scene at the couple’s apartment. Bill once again puts his whole gamut of emotions on display as the loser husband who’s jealous of a wife who only used him.

Police Woman:Silky Chamberlain(1977): Bill’s second appearance and the episode was named after his character! Pepper and Crowley investigate a con man who relieved Crowley’s elderly uncle of his life savings. Bill played Silky Chamberlain (gotta love the name) who also disguises himself as an elderly man to swindle others of their fortunes. This is the third time Bill worked with actor Vito Scotti. They worked together previously on two episodes of “The Farmer’s Daughter.”

Quincy, ME:The Hot Dog Murder(1977): A medical student asks Quincy to help examine a donated body brought in from a prison. The man was also the key witness in the trial of a corrupt businessman. The man choked on a hot dog but Quincy finds the piece in his throat was awfully large. It appeared to be a deliberate choking. Soon Quincy goes undercover inside the prison as a doctor but finds his life in danger. Quincy is quick to discover an insurance scam that leads him right to the businessman, Arthur Brandeis. Bill played Brandeis, a smooth criminal with enough power, money and women to do anything he wanted. Quincy gets him in the end by planting something in Brandeis’ drink. In one scene, Bill is sitting in his swimming pool surrounded by women. His character is fashioned as a Hugh Heffner type.

Family:An Endangered Species(1977): Bill played a very touching character in this episode. Kate Lawrence finds herself the object of a good friend’s attention. Howard Stone is a recent divorcee and he comes to Kate for guidance after seeing her in the supermarket. The Stones and Lawrences were good friends in the past. Soon Howard is falling for Kate and she finds herself home alone, when her husband goes on a business trip. Kate doesn’t notice what’s happening until Howard shows up at her school and invites her to dinner, sealing it with a kiss. Kate goes to Howard’s house but explains that she won’t betray her family by having an affair with him. The episode was very special because Kate, throughout the episode, never suspected Howard was falling for her. It’s suggested that Kate was feeling lonely with Doug away and she enjoyed the attention. Bill played Howard as a newly divorced man who enjoyed the one-night stands but realizes he’s happier in marriage. This is the second time Bill worked with actress Sada Thomson. They had worked off-Broadway in the play “U.S.A.” by Jon Dos Passos.

The Magical World of Disney:Bluegrass Special(1977): This TV movie was part of the weekly Disney series. In this movie, young Penny is a horse trainer who dreams of becoming a jockey. Penny chooses to ride Woodhill, who threw his last rider. She has the support from her aunt but not her father, Phil Wainright. However, Penny is determined to make her dream come true. Bill played Penny’s father who’s worried about his daughter getting hurt. Also starring in this, actor/musician Davey Jones (“The Monkees”) who originally trained to become a jockey in England. He and Bill worked together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Moe Hill and the Mountains. Also appearing in the film, Celeste Holm who appeared with Bill on a game show called “The Movie Game.”

Hunter:The Lysenko Syndrome(1977): Not to be confused with the 1980s cop drama of the same name. This show starred James Franciscus (Hunter), Linda Evans (Marty) and Ralph Bellamy (Harold Baker). In this Cold War-based episode, a plot to assassinate an Admiral requires Marty to become brainwashed and Hunter to be killed. Bill played character Josef Patel, the Russian agent trying to brainwash Marty. Also starring in this episode, Christopher Stone who was the husband of Dee Wallace Stone. Christopher Stone later appeared with Bill in two episodes of “Murder, She Wrote” called Sticks and Stone and Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble.

The Oregon Trail:Hard Ride Home(1977): This show featuring, Rod Taylor as Thorpe, only lasted 14 episodes. This episode was the first part of a two-part episode. Thorpe’s character developed a romantic interest in fellow passenger Margaret Devlin (Darleen Carr) who is traveling with her Irish immigrant father, Packy Devlin. Bill played Packy, who’s full of Blarney. He and his daughter are out to film flam the men through rigged poker games. Bill once again sported an Irish accent and utilized his pipe. He even drove a prairie schooner. The show co-starred actor Andrew Stevens (Andrew Thorpe).

The Oregon Trail:The Last Game(1977): Part two of the above episode. Among the plot lines, Packy and his daughter are preping to scam the players of a card game. One of the men is responsible for Packy doing 2 years in prison. According to the story, Packy went straight and ran a saloon. However, a rich gambler was running rigged games. He ran off causing Packy to take the blame. While in prison, Packy’s wife died leaving his daughter alone. Now the two have met up with the gambler on the Oregon trail. Problem is Thorpe didn’t know the whole story. He could just tell Packy was cheating so Thorpe out-cheated him. Pack and Margaret lose everything and that’s when she tells Thorpe the back story. Actor Charles Napier starred in this show. He would later appear with Bill in an episode of “Walking Tall” called The Protectors of the People and then on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Dream Team. Also appearing, Ken Swofford who appeared with Bill in the “Murder, She Wrote” episode Joshua Peabody Died Here…Possibly and A Christmas Past.

Kojak:Once More From Birdland(1977): Kojak is invited to hear Francesca Milano sing at a club. The woman’s agent is a friend of Kojak and tells the lieutenant that someone has been following her and sending her flowers. Francesca is not worried, yet when she returns home, it’s been broken into. Turns out the person responsible is K.C. Milano her father. He is serving time for murdering a drug pusher who was supplying Milano’s wife. Francesca learns her dad was released a few months early because he’s dying and K.C. is now looking for revenge. Turns out he was framed by a house detective at the scene of the murder. The detective had been threatened by the real killer to put the blame on K.C. Luckily Kojak and Francesca stop K.C. just as he confronts the detective who framed him and the truth is revealed. Francesca also learns about her father’s health. In the end the two reunite at the jazz club and perform for the first time together. Bill played K.C. the former clarinet player who spent 14 years imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Actress Peggy McCay appeared as the detective’s wife. She appeared in an episode of “Gibbsville” that Bill appeared in and they previously worked in New York in the play “U.S.A.”

Noontime Talk Show(September 1978): Bill was one of the guests including Evelyn Keyes and Pat Klous. The theme was women consumers. Later that week Bill’s good friend Bill Bixby would also appear on the show.

Newswatch Noon(February 1978): Bill was interviewed for this local Tampa TV station when he was in the city for one of his Thurber shows

The John Eastman Show(1978): Bill did an interview on this local Tampa show to promote his Thurber show.

Cinema Showcase(1978): A talk show in which Bill discussed his career.

W.E.B.: Walk a Velvet Tightrope (1978): This was an extremely short-lived tv drama from the late 1970s that looked into the brutal world of television news. This was the fourth episode to air as only 5 of them made it before being cancelled. The show was loosely based on the movie “Network.” Ellen Cunnigham is an executive at the fictional TAB network and faces many obstacles because of her gender. In this episode one of her co-workers, Dan, is getting too close to the wife of an advertising executive named Paul Brisbane. Bill played the ad executive husband, Paul Brisbane, who threatens to take his 8 million dollars elsewhere unless Dan is fired. This is the second time Bill worked with actress Dana Wynter, who played his character’s wife. They worked previously on a “Name of The Game” episode called Lola in Lipstick. Actor Richard Basehart was a regular on the show. He and Bill appeared together on an episode of “The Streets of San Francisco” called Requiem For Murder. Also appearing in the episode, actress Pamela Bellwood. She and Bill would later work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Weave a Tangled Web.

Blind Ambition(TV Miniseries)(1979): This 4 part miniseries looked at the career of John Dean, special counsel to President Nixon. Bill played Richard Kleindienst who was the US Attorney General during Watergate. Several actors appeared in the mini series that would appear with Bill including: Fred Grandy (“Love Boat”), William Daniels (“Boy Meets World”), Mario Machado (“Trapper John, MD”) and Peter Mark Richman (“The House on Greenapple Road,” “Matt Houston” and “Hotel”). This would be the third time Bill worked with actor Gerald O’Loughlin. They appeared together in “Men at Law” and “The Rookies” and would later appear as war buddies in the “Murder, She Wrote” episode Badge of Honor.

Trapper John, MD:Taxi in the Rain(1979): A bum named Harry Duvall shows up at a free clinic where Gonzo is volunteering. Harry the Hinge is always coming in to get the free coffee and cookies, however, one day he collapses and Gonzo sends him to the hospital. Harry is suffering from Kidney failure and the doctors put him on dialysis. They ask if he has any relatives for a possible kidney donor and Harry says no. Turns out there was a photo among Harry’s things showing a famous fashion designer named Teresa Duvall. Gonzo and the staff put two and two together but Harry denies that he’s the father. Harry later admits that he was a successful attorney who served time in prison for his involvement in a corporate scandal. When he got out he never returned to his wife and daughter, so Harry became a bum and let them believe he was dead. Gonzo decides to visit Teresa to tell her the truth. She’s willing to see her father so the staff cleans up Harry and sets him up in the presidential hospital suit. Harry doesn’t want his daughter to know he’s a bum. Turns out, at one point, Harry and Teresa had met when she was an adult. Harry hailed a Taxi for the girl during a rainstorm but Teresa never let on she knew it was her father. Anyway, Teresa is not a Kidney match but she and Harry patch things up. The plot resembles the film “Pocketful of Miracles” about a homeless woman expecting to see her estranged daughter who thinks her mother is rich. Actress Anita Gillette played daughter Teresa Duvall yet she was only 13 years younger than Bill. She and Bill would later appear in the independent film “Early Bird Special.”

The Love Boat: Take My Boyfriend Please I & II(1979): The first of Bill’s two “Love Boat” appearances. This time he’s joined by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. In this episode Helen Ames comes aboard with her fiancé Bill Kelly. Helen wants him to meet her daughter, Wendy, who is one of the cheerleaders. However Helen is jealous of how well Wendy and Bill are getting along. When the two go off by themselves on an excursion Helen is convinced that Bill is interested in young Wendy instead. Bill played Bill Kelly and only had eyes for his fiancé. John Hillerman also appeared in this episode. He was a regular on “Magnum, PI” in which Bill appeared on the episode All Thieves on Deck. Bernie Kopell (Dr. Adam Bricker) had worked with Bill on 2 episodes of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Anyone for Swindling and High Fashion. Finally, Bill Daily appeared in the episode but didn’t have scenes with Bill. However, they both worked together in the past on two episodes of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Katy By Moonlight and Forever is a Cast Iron Mess.

Portrait of a Rebel: The Remarkable Mrs. Sanger(TV Movie)(1980): Based on the true story of Margaret Sanger who, in 1916, started the first birth control clinic in the US. This caused a lot of problems due to societal and religious morals. Bill played Monsignor Soldini. This was the second time Bill worked with actor Stacy Keach. They had worked on “Brewster McCloud” where Keach played a sadistic, elderly man but they had no scenes together. It was also the first time he worked with actress Bonnie Franklin who played Mrs. Sanger. They would later work together on the “One Day at a Time” episode Caveat Emptor.

Suncoast Scene(January 1980): This was a local talk show in Tampa, Florida and Bill was one of the guests.

Newswatch Noon(January 1980): Bill was interviewed for this local Tampa TV station when he was in the city for one of his Thurber shows.

Dallas:The Venezuelan Connection(1980): Jock Ewing, Ray Krebs and some co-horts are at a busy bar when a shabby-looking man notices Jock and Ray at the bar. Turns out the man is Ray’s deadbeat father, Amos Krebs. Bill played the good-for-nothing Amos Krebs. He even chews on a toothpick, something Bill would do in some of his roles. Bill and actor Morgan Woodward shared a scene together. They also appeared in the same “Petrocelli” episode “The Golden Cage.” Bill didn’t have scenes with Larry Hagman but the two worked together during Bill’s early years on the stage. Bill mentioned he enjoyed the J.R. character because he was such a heavy.

Dallas:The Fourth Son(1980): This was the episode following The Venezuelan Connection. Amos tracks down Ray, who wants nothing to do with his loser father. Ray says Jock Ewing took Ray in as a teen and gave him shelter and a job. Ray throws Amos off his land but that doesn’t stop him. Amos grabs Jock Ewing for a meeting. Amos mentions his wife’s name to Jock. Apparently they had an affair during the war. Jock says he told his wife about the affair long ago and she knows everything. So if Amos is suggesting blackmail, it won’t work. Amos begs to differ when he says Ray’s mother was already pregnant when Amos married her. Jock is Ray’s real father and Amos wants to profit from this information. Jock sees Ray and tells him the truth. Ray doesn’t want anyone to know the truth. Amos shows up at Ray’s with a pocketful of money thanks to Jock and reminds Ray that he’s now an heir to a rich oil man. Bill played the Amos character so convincingly you want to slap him yourself. Bill smokes a self-rolled cigarette, something he learned from his dad.

On Campus with George Fenneman:(1981): Fenneman was a well known radio and tv announcer who made it big with the show “You Bet Your Life.” He hosted this show that looked at campus life all around the colleges in Southern California. This episode originally aired on KCET which was the PBS station. It featured Bill speaking with acting students and performing some of his Thurber work at the University of San Diego. The episodes were later repeated on KNBC. Bill’s episode originally aired in May on KCET and then in September on KNBC.

Walking Tall: The Protectors of the People(1981): Racial tensions ignite in McNeal County after three KKK members impersonate a black man and attack a white girl named Mary Beth Whittaker. Her father Matthew is appalled and says he will no longer help out the black community. However he changes his mind, realizing it’s not right to blame an entire group on the actions of one person. The three KKK members are angry with Whittaker and thought he’d change when his daughter was attacked. So they threaten and beat up Whittaker at his office. Things get worse when the African American deputy is framed in the attack of another white woman. A lynching party is about to happen when the sheriff arrives just in time to arrest everyone involved. Bill played Mr. Whittaker but he only had a few scenes in the first half of the episode. This is the second time Bill worked with actor Harold Sylvester. They had worked together on the pilot “Richie Brockelman.” It’s also the second time working with actor Charles Napier. They had worked on the series “Orgeon Trail” where Bill appeared in two episode. They would later appear together in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Dream Team.

The Incredible Hulk:East Winds(1981): Bill appeared in an episode of his good friend, Bill Bixby’s, tv show. Bill did not think the role was that great. In this episode David Banner ends up in Chinatown renting an apartment. Turns out there is hidden gold in the apartment and a triad leader wants it. At first he sends over a woman, Tam, who works for him, hoping Banner will take her in and feel sorry for her. She claims to be a mail order bride straight from China. However, watching from the alley is Sgt. Jack Keeler, who walks the Chinatown beat. He shows up at David’s apartment and Tam runs. Keeler demands David come with him. He tells Banner the truth about Tam and the Triad. Keeler admits he also developed a relationship with her as he tried to help her avoid deportation. Meanwhile, the triad tries to take out David and Keeler with a series of hits.

(CONT.) One hit includes using Tam to lure Keeler to her home and kill him. However, she really does love him and cannot go through with it. Luckily David turns into the Hulk and is able to is take care of the Triad as they try to steal the gold bathtub. The scene with Keeler and Tam is very touching. For some reason, some of the audio had to be re-dubbed by Bill and the actress who played Tam. Bill made a joke that one of his daughters used to ask if he really knew Bill Bixby and he said, “No.” An interviewer once asked Bill about this episode but said the reply was not fit for print. Bill worked with Richard Narita in this episode. They would later appear together the same year in the short-lived tv series “Foul Play” in the episode Play it again, Tuck.

One Hundred Years of Golden Hits(1981): In this homage to how music changed our lives, Bill played inventor Thomas Edison who, along with his assistant, looks at the history of music. The show featured performances by several acts including Ethel Merman and Sha-Na-Na. Bill’s co-star was John Davidson whom Bill worked with on the 70’s sitcom “The Girl With Something Extra.”

A House Divided(1981): A three part dramatic series that focused on lesser-known African Americans and their fight against slavery in the 19th century. It was produced by WPBT, the Community Television Foundation of South Florida. Bill appeared in the episode Denmark Vesey’s Rebellion. Vesey was a slave who bought his freedom and then organized a slave rebellion in Charleston, South Carolina. According to this movie, which took place in the 1820’s, some slaves had earned their freedom. Several constituents pressured the governor, Thomas Bennett, jr. to pass laws prohibiting the free slaves from enjoying basic rights like wearing colorful clothes. However the governor refused to pass such bills. When the governor learns about the slave rebellion he calls out the militia. The slaves are arrested and Vesey is put to death. Bill played Governor Bennett. Other cast members included Ned Beatty, Cleavon Little and Yaphet Koto (all of whom worked with Bill).

Foul Play:Play it Again Tuck(1981): The tv series was based on the movie only this time it starred Barry Bostwick and Gloria Raffin in the roles played by Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn. In this episode Tuck’s friend, Paul, asks Tuck to play in a special concert. Paul also gifts Gloria with a jewel case that contains a diamond worth four million dollars. Among those willing to kill for it, a rather effeminate art patron named Franklin Mills. Bill played the art lover, Franklin Mills who wouldn’t blink at having to kill for something he wanted. Definitely a forgettable role for him. Bill also sported a pretty bad comb over too. Also appearing in this episode, Richard Narita, who played the regular role of Sweeney. Narita and Bill worked together, that same year, in an episode of “The Hulk” called East Winds.

Barney Miller: Contempt I & II(1981): Probably the strangest appearances of Bill’s career. In this episode Barney is put in jail for refusing to name an informant. Barney ends up in a cell with a man who rambles on and on about his wife cheating. The man thinks Barney is his wife’s lover. Bill played the cellmate but the lighting only illuminates his feet. Everything else is covered by a shadow. His character doesn’t even have a name. Bill essentially did a voice over.

One Day at a Time:Caveat Emptor(1981): Anne and Nick have just opened their advertisement agency. Soon they land a big account with a local electronics store. Unfortunately the owner, Mr. Tiller, is using a bait-and-switch scheme. At first Anne and Nick are uncomfortable but they need the money. Once Nick’s son Alex does a bait-and-switch with his own friends Nick ends the contract with Tiller. Bill played Mr. Tiller who had no problem bringing the customers in with promises of deals that didn’t really exist. Bill and Bonnie Franklin had previously worked on the tv movie “Portrait of a Rebel.”

Leave ’em Laughing(TV Movie)(1981): Everybody loves a clown. This film is based on the true story of performer Jack Thum. He and his wife have taken care of unwanted children for years. Now Thum (Mickey Rooney) learns he has a terminal disease and soon falls into a deep depression. He’s offerred the chance at surgery and does so reluctantly. Before going to the hospital, he tracks down his old partner, Smiley Jenkins. Smiley made it to the big time, Barnum & Bailey’s circus. However, he’s not as happy as he’d like to be. However he likes to live his life as a free, unattached man. Smiley and Jack have a few laughs before the big surgery. Finally, Jack arrives at the hospital and while waiting for surgery, he reflects back on his life. Post-surgery, Jack befriends his hospital roommate and develops a friendship with him instead of going home to his family. He’s finally convinced to return to his family who welcome him back. Bill played Smiley Jenkins, who’s real name is Arnie Moffet. He’s a man laughing on the outside and crying on the inside. He’s only in the film for the one, brief scene. The movie was written by Peggy Chantler Dick who was a writer for “The Farmer’s Daughter.” VHS boxes show Bill and Mickey in their clown costumes, together. However, they never appear in the film together as clowns.

Side Show(TV Movie)(1981): This bizarre tv horror movie was directed by William Conrad (“Cannon”) and produced by Sid and Marty Kroft who were famous for strange Saturday Morning kids shows. The movie starred Lance Kerwin as a 16 year old who runs away from home and joins the circus run by a cruel man named Scholl. He soon learns it’s not all fun and games. The film has a very bizarre scene between Nick (Kerwin) and Graciela (Connie Stevens) where she seduces and sleeps with Nick. Bill played a roustabout named Byron Gage who was once a famous trapeze artist with another circus. One night he dropped a fellow trapeze artist during the act. The dead trapeze artist was Scholl’s brother. He blames Gage for the death and the attack of the female performer by some jungle cats. After that, Gage became an alcoholic and a carnival geek by biting the heads off live chickens. One he cleaned up his act he was hired as a roustabout for the circus run by Scholl. Gage cannot be fired unless he has a drink. Meanwhile, Scholl continuously humiliates Gage to either get angry or have himself a little drink or two. After one of the performer’s hangs himself, Gage goes over the edge. He ends up drunk and Scholl finds him. They have a fight and Scholl kills Gage with his cane, that secretly hides a sword. This is the second time Bill worked in a film with Red Buttons. In the same year they worked on the tv movie “Leave ’em Laughing.” This is also the first time Bill worked with Connie Stevens. They would work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Murder Digs Deep. This was also Bill’s first time working with young actor Lance Kerwin. They would later appear in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Seal of The Confessional. Albert Paulsen played Scholl. He and Bill had worked on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” and “Doctors’ Hospital.”

Flamingo Road:The Stranger(1981): A not-so-popular night time soap opera about the goings on in a Florida community. In this episode a piano player named Charlie Banks find himself stranded in town. He decides to visit Lute-Mae’s (Stella Stevens) place to see her singer, Lane (Christina Raines). Lane experiences Deja Vu upon hearing Charlie play the piano and sing. One night they are sharing stories and he mentions the phrase Blue Water Buddy. Lane remembers it from her childhood and Charlie admits he is Lane’s father. He left her and his wife when Lane was young. After her mom died, Lane was sent into foster care. At first Lane doesn’t want any part of Charlie but a friend suggests she give him a chance and she does. However, Charlie has less than a month to live. He wants a relationship but doesn’t want to tell Lane, so he tries to skip town. She tracks him down and he dies in her arms. Bill played the charming Charlie Banks, and he even gets to sing in this episode. This is the first time he would work with actor Mark Harmon (“NCIS”), who played Fielding Carlyle. They would later work on an episode of “St. Elsewhere” called In Sickness and In Health. This is also the second time Bill worked with actress Stella Stevens. They first worked on the tv movie “The Day the Earth Moved” and would later work together on Bill’s first “Murder, She Wrote” appearance called Funeral at Fifty Mile. Also Bill’s friend Kevin McCarthy was a regular on the show, he played Claude Weldon. Finally Howard Duff, who played Sheriff Semple would work with Bill on an episode of “Hotel” called Anniversary. Neither McCarthy nor Duff had scenes with Bill in this episode. Actor Peter Donat played regular Elmo Tyson. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Final Curtain.

Fantasy Island:Daddy’s Little Girl(1982): A young girl comes to Fantasy Island to be married and to hopefully meet her real father. Christa Ackland finds not one but three men who each claim to be her biological father. It seems her mother was a nurse during the war and her father was a pilot. Christa’s mother finally tells the truth, that the girl’s father died on a mission and never knew about the pregnancy. The three men were part of the squadron and vowed never to let the girl know the truth, until now. Bill played Bill Ackland, the father who married Ellie and raised Christa as his own. They have a touching scene together when Christa says a father is someone who raises you and takes care of you. This is the second time Bill worked with actress Carolyn Jones (Ellie Ackland). They had worked earlier on the show “Circle of Fear” in the episode Summer House. This was also Bill’s second time working with Jon Ericson (one of the three fathers). They had worked earlier on “The Virginian” in the episode The Politician and they would later work on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Joshua Peabody Died Here…Possibly. Bill also worked for the first time with Alan Hale. The two would later work together on an episode of “Magnum P.I.” called All Thieves on Deck.

Desperate Lives(TV Movie)(1982): A tv movie that would have served just as well as an Afterschool Special. A brother and sister get caught up in peer pressure and drug use. The teachers don’t want to listen and the principal, who is a real pal to the kids, would rather bury his head in the sand. Bill played Dr. Jarvis the school principal. The film co-starred actor Norman Alden (the coach). He and Bill would work on two episodes of “Murder, She Wrote”: Mr. Penroy’s Vacation and Keep the Home Fries Burning.

Matt Houston: The Good Doctor(1982): Bill’s first of two appearances in the show. Dr. Belkamp is shot at a fundraiser by a former staffer-turned-waiter named Tom Chapman. He had reason since Belkamp fired him. However, Chapman is murdered after the shooting leading Houston to wonder if someone hired Chapman to kill Belkamp. Bill played Dr. Belkamp and would appear in the same role a year later. This is the first time Bill would work with actor Lee Horsley (Matt Houston). They would later work together in the film “Dismembered.” Actor Gary Lockwood (Dr. Owen Denny) would appear with Bill in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Indian Giver. Jeanette Nolan also appears in this episode (Cattle Annie Hickock). She and Bill had previously appeared in an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” as Glen’s cousin Stella in The Platinum Swizzle Stick and then in an episode of “The Virginian” called The Orchard. Also, Beverly Garland was a guest star. She and Bill worked on an episode of “Kraft Mystery Theatre,” on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” and in the tv movie “The Day The Earth Moved.”

The Rules of Marriage(TV Movie)(1982): What seems to be a perfect marriage is anything but when it’s revealed the husband and wife are both having affairs. This movie explores divorce and it’s affects on the children. The film starred Elliot Gould and Elizabeth Montgomery and a young Sean Astin. Bill played George Olsen, the father of Elizabeth Montgomery’s character. He’s only in one small scene with his daughter and ex-son-in-law. This is the second time Bill and Elizabeth worked together. They played high school sweethearts in an episode of Appointment With Adventure.

Hart to Hart: With This Hart, I Thee Wed(1982): A rather amusing episode with the comical Eva Gabor co-starring. She played Jennifer’s aunt who is marrying the member of a new-aged cult called The order of the Tent and the Robe. The wedding doesn’t go well. First, her 6th ex-husband, Charlie Bains, shows up drunk and interrupts the nuptials. Second, her new husband is poisoned by the wedding cake. The couple received a special book from the leader of the cult and it contains information about some embezzled off-shore funds. The Harts only find out after their home is ransacked and when Jonathan tries to go after the burglar he meets Charlie who attempts to drive Jonathan off the road. The Harts want to know why Charlie is showing up so much. He was husband number 6, and somewhat of a loser when it came to his job as a CPA. Turns out Charlie is investigating the cult and has been given special privledges from the DA’s office. The end is rather comical and Charlie and Aunt Renee reuinte. Bill played Charlie Banks and is quite funny when he gives a small speech at the wedding while drunk. Bill worked previously with Robert Wagner in the tv movie “The Abduction of St. Anne” and later in the tv movie “There Must be a Pony.” Bill also worked with Stefanie Powers previously on an episode of “McMillan & Wife” called The Game of Survival and on the first episode of “Feather and Father Gang.” Also making an appearance in this episode, actor John Fiedler (the voice of Piglet). He appeared in an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called My Papa the Swinger and later appeared in Bill’s “Banacek” episode Project Phoenix. Also appearing in the episode actor Keene Curtis. He and Bill would later work together in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Final Curtain.

Trapper John, MD:You Pays Your Money(1982): A penny-pinching industrialist, Theodore Rankin, comes to the hospital with stomach pains but refuses to give his real name. He will only go by Mr. Smith and he’s driving the entire hospital crazy, especially Nurse Brancusi. He refuses to use his real name for fear any bad news about his health will affect the stock in his various companies. He also keeps questioning every aspect of his care and bill. Trapper says Rankin needs emergency surgery and he refuses at first. He collapses while trying to leave the hospital and Trapper has to perform the surgery. Bill played Rankin (the same last name as the character he played in “The Streets of San Francisco” episode 45 Minutes From Home). In the end he is grateful for the care but still a pain in the butt.

The Love Boat: Here Comes the Bride…Maybe(1983): In this episode young Erica pretends to be wealthy in order to impress her fiancé’s parents, Harold and Margaret. She’s a new waitress on the Pacific Princess and her future in-laws are aboard. Erica tries to avoid them at all cost until, one night, they see her dancing with Doc. So the parents call up their son to join them on the ship but he doesn’t believe their story. All three see Erica with Doc and assume the worst. During the rest of the cruise Erica shows up serving drinks and explains she’s working to help pay for the wedding. The parents disapprove but give their blessing in the end. Bill played Harold Wallingford. Actress Lauren Tewes (Julie, your cruise director) would later appear with Bill in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Lady in the Lake. Jane Wyatt (Margaret) worked with Bill a few years prior on an episode of “Insight” called The Dangerous Airs of Amy Clark. Stephen Shortridge played the groom-to-be. He and Bill had worked on an episode of “The Love Boat” featuring The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and they would later work on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Murder Digs Deep. Artie Johnson, who appeared in the other subplot of this episode, appeared on the nighttime soap opera “Glitter” in which Bill appeared in one of the episodes. Shelley Fabares, also appearing in one of the subplots, was the co-star on “The Donna Reed Show.” She appeared in two episodes with Bill and they later appeared together in “Operation Heartbeat” and a two-part episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. Finally, Mclean Stevenson played a fellow Pacific Princess captain on this episode. Mclean Stevenson starred a few years earlier on his self-titled show. Originally, the show was to star Bill and be called something completely different.

The Greatest American Hero: Live at 11(1983): In this episode, Pamela (Connie Selleca) is putting her support behind a news anchor named Henry Williams. However, he’s almost killed after doing an in-depth report about improper chemical waste dumping. Ralph and Bill are not convinced about Henry and Ralph uses his latest superpower, mind control, to find out more. Turns out Henry set up the murder attempt and also an attack on a nuclear power plant. This way he could report on it and further garner support for his political campaign. In the end, he inadvertently admits this on live tv when Ralph controls Henry’s mind. Bill played the power hungry Henry Williams and he definitely had an eye on Pamela. Bill and Connie Selleca would work again a few years later on an episode of “Hotel” called Anniversary. Bill would also work with William Katt in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Love’s Deadly Desire.

The A-Team: Mexican Slayride(1983): This was the pilot episode so a different actor played Face. The plot involves a down and out reporter trying to do a story on a Mexican drug cartel working with suppliers in the U.S. The reporter, Al Massey, gets caught by the cartel and is held prisoner. Meanwhile, a fellow reporter tries to rescue him and learns about a covert group called “The A-Team.” They agree to help the young woman find Massey. They do but soon they have to deal with the dangerous cartel. Bill played Massey but he doesn’t have many scenes in the two-hour episode. This is the fourth time Bill worked with George Peppard. Co-starring in this pilot is Ron Palillo (“Welcome Back, Kotter”) as a reporter who knows about The A-Team. He and Bill would later work together on the film “Committed.”

Mama’s Family: Mama’s Boyfriend(1983): This episode was a remake of the Carol Burnett skit, “The Family.” Originally actor William Conrad (who Bill worked with on “Cannon” and the tv movie “Side Show”) played Mama’s boyfriend in the skit. In this episode it’s Bill. Woody Miller returns to Raytown to reunite with his ex-girl Thelma Harper. He invites her to a weekend getaway and the family is shocked. Just like old times, Woody tries to get Mama in a compromising position but she refuses…like last time. In the end they realize you can’t go back again.

Matt Houston:Heritage(1983): Bill’s second appearance which is odd because his character, Dr. Walter Belkamp, was killed in a previous episode. Matt Houston returns to Texas where he finds some disturbing information about his family’s past. Meanwhile, Dr. Belkamp has been paid off by a powerful family to do plastic surgery on a man and make him look exactly like Houston. The doctor is soon overcome with guilt and admits to what he did, so he doesn’t live long. Don Stroud appears in this episode. He and Bill worked on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called The Big Kill. Also appearing in this is Lloyd Bochner who worked with Bill on several projects. Actor David Wayne played Matt’s father. He and Bill appeared in the miniseries “Once an Eagle.”

The Facts of Life: Store Wars(1983): Kelly tells the gang that another store down the street is selling gourmet food at lower prices. Soon Edna’s Edibles is empty and everyone’s flocking to Pete Dawson’s Deli. He really lays it on thick with his phony southern accent and compliments for the ladies. Jo uses some computer hacking skills to sabotage Pete’s computer files. When he finds out, he sends the police to Edna’s. However, Tootie and Natalie go searching through Pete’s garbage and learn his computer was stealing Edna’s recipes. Bill played Pete the competition trying to ruin Edna.

Lottery!: Boston, False Illusion(1983): Young Valerie is about to get married and she wants to introduce her new fiance to her father, Arthur. He’s a millionaire who lives in a mansion….so she thinks. Arthur is really the gardener however his friends try to help him pull of the ruse but Arthur finally tells his daughter the truth. In the end, Arthur is one of the lottery winners and is given a check. Bill played Arthur who just wanted to impress his little girl. This was Bill’s fourth time working with Ben Murphy.

Automan:Staying Alive While Running A High Flashdance Fever(1983): An informant against the mob, Ellen Fowler, is kidnapped before being able to testify. Walter and Automan find out the kidnapper is Judge Alexander Farnsworth, who is a friend of the police commissioner. Fowler set up Farnsworth to make it look like he’s been taking bribes and embezzling them to off-shore accounts. When the mobsters kill Fowler they try to pin it all on Farnsworth. Bill played Judge Farnsworth and he only has two scenes, even though his character is mentioned through the very end. After the woman in his care is killed, Farnsworth is not seen again. It’s as if he disappeared. Actress Mary Crosby (Bing Crosby’s daughter) played Ellen. She and Bill had worked on the sitcom “Brothers & Sisters” and would work together on the film “Last Plane Out” and in an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Witch’s Curse. Also appearing in this episode was semi-regular Robert Lansing. He would later work with Bill on two episodes of “Murder, She Wrote”: Town Father and Badge of Honor. This is the fourth time Bill worked with Gerald S. O’Loughlin.

Reading Rainbow(1984): Bill read the story “Hot Air Henry” while LeVar took a ride on a hot-air balloon. Hot Air Henry is a cat that’s always wanted to fly away in a hot-air balloon.

The SAG 50th Anniversary Special(1984): Bill was one of the many performers honoring the Screen Actors Guild.

St. Elsewhere: In Sickness and In Health(1984): In one of the subplots, Nurse Joan Halloran is introducing her boyfriend, Dr. Caldwell, to her parents Charlie and Marie. Charlie is a famous crew coach who gave up the career to raise a family on a steady income. However he’s hospitalized at St. Eligius where it’s discovered he has cancer. This is something Charlie already knows. It’s incurable and the family has to come to terms especially when Charlie has a brain hemorrhage and is put on life support. Joan is hoping to make her dad’s last dream come true…to see the shell that his young team will use at the Olympic Tryouts. They bring it to the hospital and christen it The Charlie Halloran. Bill played Charlie, who is resigned to the fact that he’s dying. Bill prominently wears his WWII dog tags in this episode. This is the second time Bill and actor Mark Harmon worked together. They both worked on an episode of “Flamingo Road” called The Stranger. William Daniels and Bill would later work one an episode of “Boy Meets World” called Ain’t College Great? Daniel’s wife, Bonnie Bartlett (in real life and on the show) would work with Bill an episode of “LA Law” called Diet, Diet My Darling although she and Bill did not have any scenes together.

Simon & Simon:Under the Knife(1984): Rick and AJ investigate insurance fraud when a respected doctor is accused of malpractice. The patient, Vic Richards, ends up paralyzed. The brothers think it’s all fake and try to throw Vic in the lake to prove it but he almost drowns. However he is faking thanks to a nerve block given to him by Dr. Lloyd Tyler, the chief of surgery. When Tyler learns the Simons are on the case he wants no more but Vic threatens the good doctor. Meanwhile, Rick sends AJ undercover to the hospital, as a patient with a bad back. He learns Tyler is less of a doctor and more of a businessman. A nurse overhears AJ talking about what he’s found and she gives Dr. Tyler the heads-up. Now Tyler is running scared and tries to kill AJ, with help from the nurse. Tyler sets AJ up for surgery complete with Penicillin, which AJ is deathly allergic to. Luckily Rick bursts through the OR and Tyler runs while the nurse has a change of heart and removes the penicillin IV. Bill played the money grabbing Dr. Lloyd Tyler.

Why Me?(TV Movie)(1984): The film is based on a true story. An air force nurse, Leola Mae Harmon, is about to leave service when she’s injured in a severe car accident. It disfigures her face and her husband can’t stand being with her. A doctor decides to do reconstructive surgery and ups Harmon’s reenlistment so the government will pay for the procedure. However Harmon doubts the doctor’s true reason for the surgery and the government is not happy with having to pay for it. While she’s recovering, Harmon continues working as a nurse and even befriends a man who’s regaining his eye sight. She is afraid he will get upset when he can finally see her still-healing face but the man doesn’t. This helps boost Harmon’s self esteem. In the end, when her service is up, Harmon goes into private practice with her surgeon and they later marry. Bill played a General who agrees to extend Harmon’s service. He’s in the film for about 1 minute and the entire time he’s walking from a transport plane to a helicopter.

The Yellow Rose: Far Side of Fear(1984): This was the last episode of the series. An ex-con with a grudge against Chance (Sam Elliot) attacks a young girl at the county fair. Then he kidnaps Colleen. Bill played the mayor, Virgil Mapes. He’s only in the very beginning of the episode making a speech and raffling off baked goods. Actor Ken Curtis (“Gunsmoke”) appeared on the show. He and Bill appeared on an episode of “Gunsmoke” called The Judgement. This was Bill’s third time working with Sam Elliot. They had previously work on the miniseries “Once an Eagle” and the tv movie “Assault on the Wayne.” Bill’s biography lists him as appearing in the last two episodes of the show. I have watched both and he only appears in this episode.

Pigs Vs Freaks(TV Movie)(1984): In this comedy-drama it’s the hippie culture versus the conservatives. However, they take their grudge out on the football field. Bill played the Mayor of the town, Malcolm Wallwood. Bill once again worked with actor Tony Randall (a guru who helps the hippie team). They worked together on an episode of “The Tony Randall Show” called Case: Money vs. Stature. Bill and actor Patrick Swayze worked on this film and the movie “Grandview, U.S.A.” both shot in 1984. Bill also worked with actor Stephen Furst. He and Bill would work together a few years later on a short-lived tv show called “Have Faith.” Bill would play a convict in the episode Letters From Home. The film had an alternate name, “Off Sides.” Another easily identifiable actor in the movie was Eugene Roche. He and Bill would later work together on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Bite the Big Apple. Actress Gloria DeHaven would later work with Bill on “Murder, She Wrote.” She was featured in 3 episodes as Cabot Cove travel agent Phyllis Grant.

Hunter: The Hot Grounder(1984): Hunter and McCall are sent to investigate the murder of a commissioner’s wife. She was blown up by a car bomb set up in the commissioner’s car. Hunter smells a rat and he finds more clues that he’s not far off. However the potential suspect is killed by accident and the commissioner expects the case closed. McCall and Hunter find out their hunch is right and they won’t leave the commissioner alone. The police captain suspends the detectives but they’re more determined than ever. Turns out the Commissioner, Larry Crenshaw, DID plant the bomb because his wife knew Crenshaw was having an affair with his male tennis instructor. A blackmailer had pictures of Crenshaw in a compromising position and his wife was fed up. Hunter and McCall show up just at the right time when Crenshaw was about to kill the blackmailer. Actor Gary Crosby (Bing’s son) played officer Smitty in the episode. He and Bill had worked together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Have You Ever Thought of Building? They would later work on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called Keep the Home Fries Burning. Character actor Ray Girardin would later work with Bill on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” called If it’s Thursday, it Must be Beverly. This plot was reminiscent of Bill’s role in the 1968 film “The Detective.” He played a married man who was hiding his homosexuality from the world, mainly his wife.

Pink Panther and Sons:Rocko’s Last Round(1984): One of Bill’s many cartoon voice overs. He did the voice of the Doctor and a man selling lottery tickets from a booth. Ironically the doctor is named Marcus Wealthy, MD. Bill appeared in an episode of “Marcus Welby, MD” called Ask Me Again, Tomorrow.

Hot Pursuit: Twilight Home(1984): The series is about a young couple on the run from police and an assassin. In this episode Jim and Kate are given lodgings in a retirement home. They soon learn the residents are being swindled by some well-dressed thieves. Bill appeared in the episode but there’s no information about his character’s name or role. The show was cancelled and the last three episodes reportedly never aired. However, imdb.com, lists the episodes did air during the summer of 1985. Pat Hingle is also credited in the episode. He and Bill would work again on “Murder, She Wrote” in the episodes “Unfinished Business” and “Thicker Than Water.”

Glitter:(1985): The short-lived drama looked at what went on at a high-profile entertainment magazine. The show aired for three weeks in September 1984, it was cancelled but brought back for 3 more weeks that December. It was cancelled again but the remaining 8 episodes aired in December 1985, every night around midnight. It was part of ABC’s late-night line up. According to his book, Bill played Henry in an unnamed episode. It aired in 1985 so it was likely one of the late-night episodes. No other information about the episode or plot, exists.

Preview(1985): An entertainment talk show taped in Atlanta. Bill was the guest talking about his movies “Funland” and “Dead Aim” that were being filmed in Georgia.

Highway to Heaven: A Child of God(1985): Jonathan and Mark meet a mother and daughter at an apartment building. It appears Marsha is dying and she’s hoping her parents will accept daughter Amy, who was born out of wedlock. The family has been estranged for many years because of the pregnancy. Marsha lies and says she’s leaving the girl in order to find a new job and will retrieve her daughter in time. Marsha’s mother is ready to talk but not her father, Rev. David Stearns. Jonathan talks to the man asking what is the bigger sin…the pregnancy or not forgiving. Marsha’s condition gets worse and her father is able to learn the truth and forgive. Bill played Reverend David Stearns who cannot accept his daughter, at first, until Jonathan makes Stearns see the light.

Surviving(TV Movie)(1985):The movie originally aired as a two-part film in three hours time. It’s about a girl named Lonnie and a boy named Rick. Lonnie has attempted suicide in the past and is very introverted. She meets Rick who is the complete opposite. They begin a romance that neither family wants. It drives the teens to make a suicide pact and they go through with it. The second half of the film is supposed to show how the families deal with the anger and guilt over the deaths. Bill played Dr. Madsen.

Hotel: Anniversary(1985): This is another disturbing role Bill played. The story focused on a couple, Nell and Adam, who met at the hotel and are now back celebrating their 35th anniversary with their children. However, the husband puts his work before the family and his wife is having an affair. Meanwhile their children have their own problems. The son, Michael, puts his work before his little girl’s needs and she is caught stealing at the hotel. However Adam’s brother Uncle Ray arrives and agrees to watch the little girl. Then the couple’s daughter, Joanna, shows up drunk and reveals a horrible family secret. It turns out Joanna not only had affairs with married men but even had an abortion. No one can figure out why she acts out like this. That is, until Joanna reveals that Uncle Ray raped her when she was a child. Adam goes crazy and beats Ray at the party. To think that Ray was alone with his grand niece shortly before the party could have led to something worse. Bill played Uncle Ray and was even sporting his own mustache at the time. One of the few times Bill portrayed a character with facial hair…especially his own. The legendary Anne Baxter played hotel owner, Victoria Cabot. She and Bill appeared together in the film “Fool’s Parade” but they did not have any scenes together. Bill once again worked with actress Connie Selleca after previously working together on “The Greatest American Hero” episode News at Eleven. Bill and James Brolin work together again. They had appeared in an episode of “Marcus Welby, M.D.” called Ask Me Again, Tomorrow. Also appearing, actor Peter Mark Richman. He and Bill worked on several projects together and finally, Howard Duff played Ray’s brother. He and Bill had appeared together in the night time drama “Flamingo Road.”

Hardcastle & McCormick:Surprise on Seagull Beach(1985): Judge Hardcastle finds out that surf punks and Nazis are disturbing the beach along Gull’s Way. The Nazi’s are looking for gold hidden on the beach and a beach bum knows where it is. James Maxwell, a small time ex-con, remembers the gold being buried when he was in the Civil Defense back in WWII. He kills a man and steals a map to the gold and begins his dig. Turns out he married into Hardcastle’s family. Maxwell doesn’t like snoops so he shows up at Gull’s Way with a gun. Soon the Nazis show up too. The Nazis hold everyone hostage until the police show up. Bill played James Maxwell, the beach bum who is hoping to make his dream come true by finding the treasure. This is the third time Bill and Brian Keith appear together in a project.

The Jetsons: Elroy in Wonderland(1985): In this episode Elroy falls down a trash suit and bumps his head. He wakes up in a “Wizard of Oz” type dream. Bill voiced the Flashlight Sentry Guard, Saturn Cyclops.

Airwolf:Eagles(1985): Hawk and Santini are participating in an airshow when they learn a racer at the show is being threatened. Roan Carver finds some files in her boss, Lou Stappleford’s, office. He knows she took the files and he wants them back. She is holding them in an attempt to talk Lou into rethinking the manufacturing his new plane because it has a lot of problems. Lou’s thugs put the squeeze on Roan and Hawk finds out. Meanwhile Lou wants his men to set up Roan’s plane to have an accident. She does but Roan lands safely. So Lou takes a plane up to finish the job. He and Airwolf have a dog fight before Hawk shoots Lou out of the sky. Bill played Lou Stappleford. In real life, Bill learned how to fly a plane one time when he was in a private plane and the pilot put it on autopilot. Bill hated flying and hated heights.

Knight Rider:Knight Racer(1985): In this episode, Bonnie asks Michael and KITT to help her friend Elena Thomas. She’s a mechanic and part of a racing team which includes her father Mac and a couple of mechanics. One of the drivers was killed during a race trial run and Bonnie is convinced it was sabotage. Meanwhile, a family friend, Wayne Altfield, has a driver from his own team competing in the race. Michael goes undercover as a member of the Thomas team. He wins the race and also ferrets out a killer. It turns out Wayne sabotaged the original driver on the Thomas team. Wayne is Elena’s biological father. He had an affair with Elena’s mother who married a more stable Mac, all the while pregnant with Wayne’s child. Although Wayne is now rich and famous he couldn’t handle Mac taking his woman, his daughter and his place in racing. Bill played Wayne who kept the secret until KITT and Michael revealed it in the end. Bill and “Knight Rider” regular Edward Mulhare did not have scenes together. The two had worked together on an episode of “The Farmer’s Daughter” called Katy and the Prince.

Super Password(March 1986): Bill appeared with Days of Our Lives actress Leann Hunley as the celebrities for a week in March of 1986. In one episode Bill actually looked at the word when he was supposed to guess! In another episode, Bill brought a small, fox-hunting horn to show off his horn skills. Bill wore his dog tag but this time he had them encased in rubber so they wouldn’t clank. He originally dressed more formal for one of the shows and then started showing up in his casual clothes. The way game show taping works, they usually shoot a weeks worth of episodes in one day so the participants bring several clothes to change into. Once again Bill got to work with Bert Convy. A fan pointed out that during the episodes Bill and Bert talked about their work on “Night Gallery.”

The MDA Telethon With Jerry Lewis(1986): Bill made an appearance on this traditional Labor Day program.

The Afternoon Show (April 1986): Bill made an appearance on this San Francisco Bay area talk show that aired on Channel 5, KPIX.

Magnum, PI: All Thieves on Deck(1986): Magnum, TC and Rick board a cruise ship which is holding a valuable piece of art…a wooden Tiki carving. It was almost stolen once so Magnum expects it will be stolen again. At the helm of the ship is Captain James T. Lyle who, fancies himself as a mystery writer. The guys think they’ve thwarted the theft and send two thugs to the mainland. Turns out they aren’t the real thieves and the Tiki does get stolen while Rick was guarding it. Then a passenger is murdered making the case more difficult than Magnum expected. Bill played Captain Lyle who spends most of his time at a typewriter working on his book. Sometimes we hear his thoughts as a voice over of the action taking place. The end plays out like a 40s movie with the murderer pulling a gun, the captain pulling his gun and the murderers wife pulling her gun. This is the second time Bill worked with actor Alan Hale, jr. They had originally worked on an episode of “Fantasy Island.” It’s possible his character’s name James T. Lyle was a joke on William Shatner’s “Star Trek” captain James T. Kirk. Actress Carole Cook also appeared in this episode. She made an appearance in the film “Grandview, U.S.A.” but did not have any scenes with Bill.

There Must be a Pony(TV Movie)(1986): The legendary Elizabeth Taylor starred as a former actress, Marguerite Sydney, who’s spent the past few years in a mental hospital. She tries to make a comeback while trying to repair her relationship with her young son. At the same time she falls in love with a mysterious stranger. Bill played the character Lee Hertzig, Marguerite’s agent. He was only in two scenes, averaging about 10 minutes of screen time. This was the third time Bill appeared with actor Robert Wagner. Mickey Rooney made a cameo in the film. He and Bill worked previously on the movie “Leave ‘Em Laughing.” Actor Dick O’Neill, who made many appearances in tv shows of the 70s and 80s, played a detective. He and Bill had previously appeared with Robert Wagner on the “Hart to Hart” episode With This Hart, I Thee Wed. He and Bill did not have scenes together. They would later appear in the “Murder, She Wrote” episode Benedict Arnold Slipped Here.

Dream Girl, U.S.A.(1986): A shortened version of the typical televised beauty pageant. Only 26 episodes aired with contestants competing in swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Bill was a judge on one of the episodes. Ken Howard was the host and he and Bill would appear together in the “Murder, She Wrote” two part episode called Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.

Solving Medical Mysteries(1986): A documentary that was filmed at the Reno Diagnostic Center. Bill was the narrator.

Newhart:Goodbye and Good Riddance, Mr. Chips(1987): Bill had mentioned he enjoyed the comedy of Bob Newhart and this gave him a chance to work with the comedian. In this episode Dick decides to take a typing class and learns the teacher is the same one he had in sixth grade. “Looney” Lew Brooney used to make young Loudon feel like two cents and he does the same to the elder Loudon. Dick invites Brooney to the inn for dinner and he thinks Dick is trying to butter him up. In the end Dick starts a revolt with the other typing students and force Brooney out. However, Dick in his kindness, apologizes to Brooney. Bill played Looney Brooney and he was great. Bill got to work again with Tom Poston, whom Bill had worked with in their early theatre days.

Dennis the Menace:Dennis and the Dinosaur Hunter(TV Movie)(1987): Young Dennis becomes the talk of the town after his dog, Ruff, finds a bone in their yard. Turns out it’s a dinosaur bone and Mr. Mitchell invites an old college friend to see it. He’s a famous dinosaur hunter and soon he turns the family’s yard into an excavation site to the chagrin of neighbor Mr. Wilson. Bill played the crusty Wilson, Dennis’ best friend. Bill got first billing in the credits.

Square One Television: Mathnet: The Trial of George Frankly(1987): This show was an educational program from the Children’s Television Workshop. The show helped kids get a good math foundation. One of the segments was a spoof on the crime drama “Dragnet” but called “Mathnet.” Bill appeared as Judge Herman Hoffman in a three-part episode that also featured actor James Earl Jones (who Bill worked with in “Sommersby” and “The Man.”).

Sky Commanders(1987): Bill voiced the character of Cutter Kling in the first two episodes of this cartoon. Kling had a daughter who was missing somewhere in a newly discovered continent. Bill did a lot of voice over cartoon work in the 80s and 90s.

Have Faith: Letters From Home(1989): This show had a nice mix of comedy with dramatic moments. Father Gabe has been exchanging letters with a pen pal, Alex, who is on death row. Gabe doesn’t know this. The prison calls the rectory and asks that Gabe visit Alex to perform Last Rights. Alex turns out to be a very optimistic guy from his letters and even more so when he meets Father Gabe. However, Gabe is angry that Alex kept the execution a secret. What’s more, Alex doesn’t believe in God or Last Rights. This angers Gabe but also makes Alex truly realize what is about to happen to him. Fr. Gabe begs Alex to accept Last Rights but Alex says no and walks to the chamber. In the end Fr. Gabe was allowed to keep some of Alex’s property, including a worn Bible. Fr. Gabe also pays tribute by watching the movie “Duck Soup” something Alex said should be done in his memory. Bill played Alex, a happy-go-lucky guy up until the very end. This is the second time Bill and actor Stephen Furst (Fr. Gabe) appeared together. They had previously worked on a tv movie called “Pigs Vs. Freaks.” Also appearing in the show as a regular, actor Ron Carey. He and Bill appeared together in the two-part “Barney Miller” episode Contempt. Carey was series regular Officer Levine. “Have Faith” did not last long even thought it was produced by actor John Ritter. He and Bill appeared in the final episode of “Mannix”

Instant Response(1980s or 1990s): Bill appeared in this infomercial about a device for people to summon emergency help if they lived alone.

His & Hers: Just Plain Bill(1990): Doug (Martin Mull) is upset when he learns his parents are reuniting after being happily separated for 40 years. Bill played Doug’s father, Bill Lambert. Actress Barbara Barrie played his wife. She and Bill appeared together in “The Twilight Zone” episode Miniature.

Back to Hannibal: The Return of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn(1990): In this movie that aired on The Disney Channel, Huck and Tom return to Hannibal to defend their friend Jim who is charged with murder. Bill played Becky Thatcher’s father, Judge Thatcher. The film was shot in St. Charles, Missouri because it still looked rural enough to pass for the Old South. Once again Bill and actor Ned Beatty (The Duke of Bridgewater) appear together. They had worked on the Public TV special “A House Divided.”

Into The Night Starring Rick Dees(1990). Bill was one of the guests along with 2 Live Crew and Heather Locklear. Bill was making the rounds promoting “Parenthood.”

AM Los Angeles(1990): Bill was a guest along with actress Kelly Preston (John Travolta’s wife) and Walter Cronkite. Bill was promoting “Parenthood.”

Amen: Miracle on 134th Street I & II(1990): In this two-part episode, Ernest Frye is called to defend a mall Santa, Nick St. Nicholas. He’s accused of assaulting a man who made fun of him. However on the day of the trial, Santa fires Frye because Frye is using the case for publicity. In the second part Frye has a change of heart and wants to defend Santa with no strings attached. In the end Nick proves he really is Santa. It was around this time that Bill played the Santa role both on TV and with CART…The California Artists Radio Theatre. Bill would later play a man with a Santa complex in the show “Ally McBeal.”

Babes(1991): All Bummed Out. A sitcom from the early days of FOX TV. Produced by Dolly Parton, the show focused on three sisters considered obese but didn’t worry about their weight. In this episode the three sisters want to help their fellow man so they go to a shelter and help out a homeless man named Darryl Kloner. However he’s so drunk his mind is like oatmeal. Eventually the girls get Darryl cleaned up and ready for a new life. He becomes a janitor and the president of a company in one day. Apparently Darryl has a knack for finances. His star rises fast and soon he puts everyone’s jobs on the chopping block. The girls show him the error of his ways. Darryl apparently was a corporate big wig during the Vietnam War and had a breakdown when he had to make a war profit while hurting people and the environment. The girls suggest he use his financial knowledge to help people and he agrees to re-hire his the fired employees…even Milli Vanilli! Bill played Darryl and it was like giving a kid a key to the candy store. He was able to play silly, funny and touching all at the same time. There is a continuity error in one scene. Darryl is sitting on the couch telling the girls about his day. Depending on the camera shot Bill is wearing his wire rim glasses and then his black frame glasses and then back to wire rim.

National Leukemia Society Televent(1991). Bill made an appearance on the telethon.

The Fanelli Boys: The Wedding I & II(1991): In this two-part finale episode Teresa (Ann Morgan Guilbert) is being courted by Ernie. They decide to marry but Ernie’s daughter sues the Fanelli Boys for discrimination at their club. This causes a rift between Dom and his brothers. In the second part, Ernie and Teresa get married without Dom attending He really is sitting outside watching it all from the window. While Ernie and Teresa are on their honeymoon the diner catches fire. Only Dom and his friends can help rebuild before the couple returns. Bill played Ernie, Teresa’s love interest. This is the second time Bill and Ann Morgan Guilbert worked together. They were both in the tv movie “Second Chance.” This appearance seemed forced for Bill. He’s only in one scene, the wedding, and he seems frustrated the entire time.

Chance of a Lifetime(TV Movie)(1991): Evelyn (Betty White) has been working non-stop since the death of her husband 10 years earlier. When her physician, Dr. Edelman, gives her some bad health news she decides to live life to the fullest. She goes on a trip where she meets a widower and they fall in love. Evelyn creates a bucket list but gets some different news later on from her doctor. Bill played Dr. Edelman. Once again he an Ed Begley, jr appear together in a project. They first worked on the Disney film “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t. ” Then in an episode of “St. Elsewhere” and then on “Parenthood” the tv series in 1990.

L.A. Law: Diet, Diet My Darling(1992): This was yet another disturbing role that Bill played. Margaret Flanagan hires Kitteridge for a civil suit against Flanagan’s father, Charles. He’s accused of sexually abusing her and her sister, who committed suicide. However Flanagan is just starting to remember all this and her attorney says it will be hard to prove repressed memories. Charles denies it until a diary by the dead daughter is admitted into evidence. Margaret makes sure Charles is not allowed near his granddaughter. Charles still denies the claims as some mental illusion and tells his daughter “to Hell with you.” Bill played Charles Flanagan as cold and distant towards his daughter. This is the second time Bill and Corbin Bernsen appeared together. They had worked on the direct-to-vhs film “Dead Aim” also called “Mace.” Also appearing was regular Michael Tucker. He narrated a “Chicken Soup For the Soul” episode that Bill appeared in called Rescue. Bonnie Bartlett had appeared in the same “St. Elsewhere” episode as Bill called In Sickness and in Health. Robert Guillame was also a guest star in the episode. He and Bill did not have any scenes together but they both appeared earlier in a film about President Kennedy called “Prince Jack.”

Batman: The Animated Series: Prophey of Doom(1992): Bill lent his voice to the character Ethan Clark.

The Infinite Voyage: Insects, the Ruling Class(1992): Bill was the narrator for this film documentary from PBS.

Goof Troop: Major Goof(1992): Bill lent his voice to the crazy character Brigadier General Robert E. Lee Sparrowhawk, Pete’s crazy Uncle Bob. Bill used an “old geezer” tone in his voice and was really good.

Camp Candy(1992): Bill lent his voice to a character in one of the third season episodes.

Bobby’s World:Psycho Bobby(1993): In this cartoon, created and voiced by comedian Howie Mandel, little Bobby goes to see the unveiling of a new statue. Bill did the voice of the Mayor in the first 7 minute segment of the episode. Bill and Howie Mandel had appeared together on the episode of “St. Elsewhere” called In Sickness and in Health.

The Chabad Telethon(1993): Bill was one of the many well-known performers who appeared on this annual telethon.

Attack of the 50ft. Woman(Cable Movie)(1993): In this remake, Darryl Hannah played the role of mousy Nancy Archer. He mother committed suicide years ago and her father, Hamilton Cobb, verbally abuses her. Meanwhile Nancy’s husband is cheating with the town hair dresser/tramp. Nancy’s husband wants her inheritance and he knows Hamilton wants it too. Hamilton is making sure the town hair dresser/tramp keeps Nancy’s husband busy. Apparently Hamilton is paying her off and it’s clear there’s been an “understanding” between the two for years. One night Nancy is driving in the desert and sees a UFO. She’s hit with a laser beam and soon she grows into the massive woman. Her new size allows her to break out of her shell as she gets revenge on her cheating husband and cruel father. Bill played the evil Hamilton. He said the script wasn’t great but he enjoyed working on it.

Murphy Brown: Be Careful What You Wish For(1994): Corky gets a chance to do a hard news story. She interviews a wealthy businessman, Ross Bowen, and rakes him over the coals about his American products being made in China. Bill played Bowen who is exasperated by the end of the interview.

A Tribute to Ernie Pyle(1995): Bill joined several guests in a fitting tribute to journalist Ernie Pylein Indiana. The event aired on C-SPAN.

Burke’s Law: Who Killed the Tennis Ace?(1995): This episode has a few things going for it. Tennis and boating, two of Bill’s favorite hobbies. It also gave Bill another chance to work with actors Gene Barry and Mary Crosby. In this episode Burke is investigating the death of an arrogant tennis pro named Harold “Spider” Arthur. Harold is found dead from a spider bite and the list of possible suspects is fairly long including an ex-lover, a sponsor and his business manager. The boy’s rich, adopted father, Dale Montrose, is beside himself over the death. In the end it’s clear Montrose killed Spider. The boy was on the streets until Montrose gave him a home and a chance to be a tennis champion. However Spider just took advantage and never said thanks. Bill played the murderer, Dale Montrose.

Boy Meets World: Ain’t College Great?(1998): Corey is having second thoughts about college when he picks a lot of hard classes for his schedule. So, he finds his mentor, Mr. Feeny, who is living in retirement. Feeny tells Corey to take a break and, instead, Corey becomes a part of the retirement community. Bill played the character Ned, one of the retirement residents. He just sits and fishes with Feeny and Corey and whenever he says something it’s pretty much nonsensical. Easy work for Bill. Once again Bill appeared with William. They both appeared in an episode of “St. Elsewhere” called In Sickness and in Health and Bill appeared in an episode of “Knight Rider” called Knight Racer. Daniels was the voice for KITT in post production.

G.I. Joe, The Ernie Pyle Story(1998): Bill did the voice of Ernie during this documentary. Bill helped keep Pyle’s work alive by performing his one-man shows.

Judging Amy: Witch Hunt(1999): In the sub-plot, Vincent’s former mentor, Professor Barnett, puts Vincent in touch with a literary agent. Problem is, Vincent’s known her for years and considers her pure evil. Bill played professor Barnett and his scene was about 5 minutes long. Tyne Daly played Amy’s mother in the show. She and Bill had previously worked together on the “Hawkins” episode A Life For a Life and “The Virginian” episode The Orchard.

Chicken Soup For the Soul: Rescued(1999): In this episode a young girl is alone in the world. One parent died and the other just passed in a house fire. However the judge gathers the townspeople in the courtroom to discuss the case. Normally the child would be sent to an orphanage but the judge refuses to do it. He asks for a local family to help raise the little girl. Bill played the sympathetic judge.

Ally McBeal: The Man With the Bag(2000): In this festive episode Nelle hires John to defend her dad, Henderson Porter, after he’s fired from his second grade teaching job. It seems he’s been telling the children he’s Santa Claus and the school department thinks he’s unfit. However John asks the court what is definition of Santa Claus and Christmas? If it makes people feel good how is that harmful? In the end Henderson gets his job back and he and his daughter walk through the streets of Boston arm in arm. Bill played the gentle Henderson Porter.

Providence: The Invisible Man(2001): Dr. Syd successfully performs plastic surgery on a patient named Graham. He’s willing to to go out in public but a dark secret is causing him mental anguish. Graham was in a boating accident and believed to have drowned. Syd is hoping to help him return to his former life including the one he shared with his son. Syd seeks out Graham’s father-in-law, Harold Joyce, for guidance. Joyce has been raising his grandson who, like his father, has a knack for sailing. When Syd tells Joyce about Graham being alive, the grandfather is angry and demands that Graham not return to the boy’s life. Syd finds a way to reunite the father and son. Bill played the loving grandfather, Harold Joyce.

The District:Bulldog’s Ghost(2001): Chief Mannion suspects a government cover-up when he investigates the death of a homeless veteran who was reportedly MIA in Vietnam. Meanwhile Ella buys an antique desk for the office and finds a bunch of love letters in the drawer. She hopes to find the writer, Harlan Kirby, Sr., who wrote them during the war. Ella tracks down Kirby and gives him the letters. He takes a trip down memory lane discussing how much he was in love with his wife. Bill played Harlan Kirby. It was a five minute scene and it was beautiful. Bill was 78 years old and could still pack so much subtle emotion into a role, even if saying just a few lines.

JAG: Need to Know(2001): Harm, Mac and Turner go up against the CIA when the agency tries to keep classified the disappearance of a submarine missing since 1968. One of the people they interrogate is an Admiral who was the former Chief of Naval Operations. He says the sub was not attacked by the Russians, instead they rammed it so it would explode. The Admiral was there when the CIA recovered the remains. Despite appearing at the JAG hearing, the Admiral will not comment on the case because of its classification. Turns out there was a spy in the CIA who tipped off the Soviets about the submarine. Bill played the unnamed Admiral who wouldn’t speak due to classification.

Star Trek: New Voyages: Phase II(2004): This was a fan-made, internet based show by a group of filmmaker Trekkie fans. The show was officially licensed by CBS. It basically takes place right where the original show ended. In this episode, a doomsday machine is sent back in time to replicate more doomsday machines and start a war. So Capt. Kirk goes back in time to stop it from happening. They enter an alternate reality where Commodore Matt Decker survived his fight with the doomsday machine (in the original episode, he died). Kirk and the crew end up traveling to Earth where they learn Decker had been living and since passed away. His wife said she had been expecting Kirk and his group and plays a video for them. In it, Decker talks about his experience with the machine. Bill reprises his role of Commodore Decker, albeit, less emotional. It looked like Bill was just sitting in his home, in a comfy recliner doing his lines. Bill only did a handful of projects after this as his health began to decline.

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