Bruce Bilson, best known for directing classic 1960s television series such as “Get Smart,” has passed away at the age of 97, his family confirmed.
Bilson passed peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Friday, January 16, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Bruce Bilson Had a Storied Career
In May 1928, Bilson was born into a film family. His mother, Hattie Bilson, was a screen and magazine writer, and his father, George Bilson, was a producer at Warner Brothers and RKO, Variety reported.
After graduating from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television in 1950, Bilson joined in the Air Force before eventually trying his hand in Hollywood.
Bruce would go on to become the assistant director for “The Andy Griffith Show” in the early 1960s. The job would lead to other successful series such as “Gidget,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” “Bewitched,” “Get Smart,” and “Bonanza.”
He also worked on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Odd Couple,” “Green Acres,” and “The Brady Bunch.”
Bilson took home the Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the third season “Get Smart” episode “Maxwell Smart, Private Eye” in 1968.
The family business continued with Bilson’s children: Son Danny Bilson and daughter Julie Ahlberg.
Danny, born in 1956, is a screenwriter known for films such as “The Rocketeer,” “The Flash,” and “The Sentinal.” Danny’s daughter, and Bruce’s granddaughter, Rachel Bilson, is also an actress. Millennials will know her as Summer Roberts from the early 2000s teen drama “The O.C.” Bruce’s daughter, Julie, is a film producer, known for “The Fog of War.”
Tributes and Condolences Poured In Following Bruce Bilson’s Passing
As word began to spread of the late, great director’s passing, fans and colleagues shared touching tributes.
“I adored Bruce, a genuinely nice man and ace amongst TV helmers. I grew up watching shows he’d directed and eventually watched him direct mine. He brought enthusiasm, professional and fun to every endeavor,” writer Alan Spencer shared via Facebook.
Producer Michael Stern wrote, “The television industry is mourning the loss of Bruce Bilson.”
Film writer and director of “The Amazing Race,” Evan Weinstein, shared, “R. I. P. Bruce Bilson. If you grew up watching TV in the 60’s and 70’s, he directed a helluva lot of what you watched…We owe him thanks for many hours of entertainment.”
Granddaughter Rachel Bilson shared a link to The Hollywood Reporter’s story in her Instagram Story on Wednesday, writing, “This is really nice,” with a praying hands emoji.
Son Danny Bilson shared information about his father’s memorial, as the family asks for donations to Casa of Los Angeles in lieu of flowers.
