Many people have wondered if the jewelry designer Barbara Bixby and the late actor Bill Bixby are related. They share the same last name and both have ties to California, but is there any family connection between them? The answer is no, they are not related. Here are some facts that prove that Barbara and Bill are not kin.
Different Origins
Barbara Bixby was born in New York City and grew up in Long Island. She studied art and design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design. She launched her own jewelry line in 1998 and has been creating unique pieces inspired by different cultures and traditions ever since
Bill Bixby was born in San Francisco, California, and was a sixth-generation Californian of English descent. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored in drama. He started his acting career in the late 1950s and became famous for his roles in TV shows such as My Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, and The Incredible Hulk. He also directed and produced several TV shows and movies. He died in 1993 from prostate cancer
Different Marriages
Barbara Bixby has been married twice. Her first husband was Michael Kors, a famous fashion designer. They divorced in 1993 after seven years of marriage. Her second husband was Robert Wunderlich, a former Beverly Hills mayor. They married in 2000 and have two children together
Bill Bixby was married three times. His first wife was Brenda Benet, an actress who co-starred with him in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father. They married in 1971 and had a son named Christopher, who died from a rare throat infection at age six. They divorced in 1980 and Benet committed suicide a year later. His second wife was Laura Michaels, a stewardess whom he met on a flight. They married in 1990 and divorced a year later. His third wife was Judith Kliban, a widow of the cartoonist B. Kliban. They married in 1993, just days before his death
Different Careers
Barbara Bixby is a successful jewelry designer who has created collections for QVC, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus. She is known for her signature flower motif and her use of gemstones, pearls, enamel, and gold. Her jewelry has been worn by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Celine Dion, and Halle Berry. She has also won several awards for her designs, such as the Couture Design Award and the Town & Country Couture Award
Bill Bixby was a versatile actor who appeared in more than 100 TV shows and movies. He was also a director, producer, and game-show panellist. He is best remembered for his roles as Tim O’Hara in My Favorite Martian, Tom Corbett in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Anthony Blake in The Magician, and David Banner in The Incredible Hulk. He also directed episodes of Blossom, ALF, Sledge Hammer!, and Wizards and Warriors. He received four Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations for his work
Conclusion
Barbara Bixby and Bill Bixby are not related by blood or marriage. They have different origins, marriages, and careers. They only share a common last name that is derived from an Old English word meaning “a place where box trees grow” Therefore, the rumor that they are related is false and has no basis in reality.
