Bill Mumy | |
|---|---|
 Mumy in 2013 | |
| Born | Charles William Mumy Jr. (1954-02-01)February 1, 1954 (age 71) San Gabriel, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1960−present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2, includingLiliana |
| Awards | Inkpot Award (2015)[1] |
| Website | www |
Charles William Mumy Jr. (/ˈmuːmi/; born February 1, 1954[2]) is an American actor, writer, producer, and musician. He came to prominence in the 1960s as a child actor whose work included television appearances onBewitched,I Dream of Jeannie,The Twilight Zone,Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and a role in the filmDear Brigitte, followed by a three-season role as Will Robinson in the 1960s sci-fi seriesLost in Space. Mumy later appeared as lonely teenagerSterling North in the filmRascal (1969) and Teft in the filmBless the Beasts and Children (1971).
In the 1990s, Mumy performed the role ofLennier in all five seasons of the sci-fi TV seriesBabylon 5 and narrated theEmmy Award–winning seriesBiography.
Mumy is also a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. He is an Emmy nominee for original music inAdventures in Wonderland (1992). As a musician, Mumy performs as a solo artist, an occasional guest performer, and formerly as half of the duoBarnes & Barnes before bandmate Robert Haimer died in 2023. From 1988 through the 1990s he performed atSan Diego Comic-Con and other comics-related events as part of the band Seduction of the Innocent (named after thetitular book byFredric Wertham). The band released one CD,The Golden Age.[3]
Mumy was born inSan Gabriel, California, to Charles William Mumy, a cattle rancher, and Muriel Gertrude Mumy (née Gould).[4] He began his professional career at age seven and has worked on more than four hundred television episodes, eighteen films, various commercials, and scores of voiceover projects.[5] He has also worked as a musician, songwriter, recording artist, and writer.[6]
Among Mumy's earliest television roles was six-year-old Willy in the "Donald's Friend" (1960) episode of theNBC-TV family dramaseriesNational Velvet, starringLori Martin. He starred in three episodes ofCBS-TV'soriginalTwilight Zone: "It's a Good Life" (S3 E8 November 1961), as six-year-old Anthony, who terrorizes his town withpsychic powers (a role he later reprised along with his daughterLiliana in the "It's Still a Good Life" episode ofthe second revival series); "In Praise of Pip" (September 1963), as a vision ofJack Klugman's long-neglected dying son; and "Long Distance Call" (March 1961) as Billy Bayles, who talks to his dead grandmother through a toy telephone.
In 1961, Mumy was cast on CBS-TV'sAlfred Hitchcock Presents series in "The Door Without a Key", featuringJohn Larch, who played his father in "It's a Good Life". The same year, Mumy starred as little Jackie in the episode "Bang! You're Dead", featuringMarta Kristen, who later played his sister Judy onLost in Space. Mumy was cast as Mark Murdock in the "Keep an Eye on Santa Claus" (1962) episode of theABC-TV drama seriesGoing My Way, starringGene Kelly. His fellow guest stars wereCloris Leachman (who played his mother in "It's a Good Life"),Steve Brodie, andFrank McHugh.[7]
At age eight, Mumy appeared inJack Palance's ABC-TVcircus dramaThe Greatest Show on Earth (1963); he was cast as Miles, a parentless boy, in thePerry Mason episode "The Case of the Shifty Shoebox" (1963), and he portrayed Freddy in the "End of an Image" (1963) episode of NBC-TV's modern Western seriesEmpire, starringRichard Egan.
In 1964, he was cast asRichard Kimble's nephew in ABC-TV'sThe Fugitive episode, "Home Is the Hunted"; as Barry in theNBC-TV medical dramaThe Eleventh Hour episode "Sunday Father"; as himself three times in the ABC sitcomThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet; in theDisney filmFor the Love of Willadena; and as a troubled orphan taken in by the Stephenses in theBewitched fantasy sitcom episode "A Vision of Sugarplums" (December 1964), on ABC-TV.
Mumy was reportedly the first choice to portrayEddie Munster in the 1964 CBS situation comedyThe Munsters, but his parents objected to the extensive makeup requirements. The role instead went toButch Patrick. Mumy appeared in one episode as a friend of Eddie.
Mumy guest starred in an episode of NBC-TV'sI Dream of Jeannie, "Whatever Became of Baby Custer?" (1965). That same year, he also appeared in an episode ofBewitched titled "Junior Executive" (1965), in which he played a young Darrin Stephens.
Mumy starred inDear Brigitte (1965), a film adaptation of the novelErasmus with Freckles, as Erasmus Leaf, a child mathematical genius who develops a crush onBrigitte Bardot (played by herself in the film). His parents, played byJames Stewart andGlynis Johns, attempt to manage his obsession.[8]
From 1965 to 1968, Mumy portrayed Will Robinson inLost in Space, the recipient of numerous warnings (including "Danger, Will Robinson") from the show'srobot character, voiced byDick Tufeld.[9]
Mumy was later cast inBless the Beasts and Children (1971) as Teft, a leader in a group of misfit teenage boys resolved to save a herd of bison from hunters. He also played a musician friend ofCliff DeYoung's character in the television filmSunshine (1973), later reprising the role inSunshine Christmas (1977) and in the TV seriesSunshine (1975). In 1974, Mumy played Nick Butler in the pilot episode of NBC'sThe Rockford Files and made an appearance in a later episode in season 1 as a sidewalk artist. In 1988, he played Ben Matlock's genius nephew, Dr. Irwin Bruckner, onMatlock.
In 1996, Mumy was a writer and co-creator ofSpace Cases,[10] aNickelodeon television show with themes similar to those ofLost in Space. Between 1994 and 1998, he played the ambassadorial aideLennier in the syndicated science fiction seriesBabylon 5. In November 1998, he played Kellin, aStarfleet officer, in theStar Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "The Siege of AR-558", in which he assists in defeating aJem'Hadar detachment. To Mumy's delight,[11] his character was human this time due to makeup time and his distaste as being known as an "alien actor"; while playingLennier inBabylon 5, he was required to wear prosthetic makeup. Mumy later appeared in a 2006 episode ofCrossing Jordan and in theSyfy original filmA.I. Assault.[12]
In 2018, Mumy appeared in the pilot episode of theNetflix remake seriesLost in Space. His character's name is Dr. Z. Smith, in homage to the character played byJonathan Harris in the 1965 television series.
Mumy has narrated over 50 episodes of theArts & Entertainment Network'sBiography series, as well as hosted and narrated several other documentaries and specials for A&E,Animal Planet,The Sci-Fi Channel, andE!. He has also worked on animated shows such asRen and Stimpy,Scooby-Doo,Batman: The Animated Series,Steven Spielberg'sAnimaniacs,Bravest Warriors,The Oz Kids andDisney'sBuzz Lightyear of Star Command andDoc McStuffins.
Mumy's work also includes voice overs in national commercials forBud Ice,Farmers Insurance,Ford,Blockbuster,Twix,Oscar Mayer andMcDonald's.[13]
Mumy plays thebanjo, bass, guitar, harmonica, keyboards,mandolin, and percussion. His various musical credits include songs he has written and recorded withAmerica, performed on tour withShaun Cassidy, and played withRick Springfield's band in the filmHard to Hold. He created the band The Be Five with otherBabylon 5 actors.[14]
He andMarta Kristen performed "Sloop John B" in theLost in Space S3E14 episodeCastles In Space.[15][better source needed]
Mumy has released a number of solo CDs, includingDying to Be Heard,In the Current,Pandora's Box,After Dreams Come True,Los Angeles Times andGhosts, as well as nine albums with music partnerRobert Haimer asBarnes and Barnes.[16] Their most famous hit is the song "Fish Heads", whichRolling Stone named one of the top 100 videos of all time. He also performs with the Jenerators, a blues-rock band based in Los Angeles featuring Tom Hebenstreit on vocals, electric guitars, and keyboards; Mumy on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, keyboards and percussion; Gary Stockdale on vocals and bass;Miguel Ferrer on vocals, percussion and drums; David Jolliffe on guitar, percussion and vocals; and Chris Ross on drums and percussion. Additionally, Mumy released a Byrds tribute song, "When Roger Was Jim" (2012). In 2017, along withJohn Cowsill (The Cowsills) andVicki Peterson (The Bangles) he founded the Action Skulls. Their first CD,Angels Hear, which also included posthumous contributions from the bassist Rick Rosas, was released on September 27, 2017.[17]
Mumy produces and hostsThe Real Good Radio Hour, a weekly series on KSAV Internet Radio focusing on various styles of music and the artists who pioneered them.[18]
In a 2010 interview onBlog Talk Radio'sLessons Learned, Rick Tocquigny was asked if Mumy was a Jonathan Harris fan before they appeared together onLost in Space. Tocquigny stated that when Mumy was five years old, he was too young to watch his mentor's showThe Third Man, which would have been aired late at night, but he was old enough to seeThe Bill Dana Show.[19]
On June 14, 2006, Mumy got to work with Harris one last time, but posthumously. Years before Harris died, he recorded voice work for the animated shortThe Bolt Who Screwed Christmas, narrating the film and playing the part of The Bolt. As a tribute to Harris, writer-director John Wardlaw added a scene that reunitedLost in Space cast members Mumy,Marta Kristen, andAngela Cartwright as the animated Ratchett family.[20]
Mumy appears in two episodes of the 2018 seriesLost in Space on Netflix. He plays the role of Dr. Smith, whose identity is stolen by June Harris, the villain.
Mumy attendsLost in Space reunions and shows, and with Angela Cartwright, he co-authored a 2015 book,Lost (and Found) in Space.[21] He and Cartwright co-authored the 2021 book,Lost (and Found) in Space 2: Blast Off into the Expanded Edition.[22][23]
Mumy and co-authorPeter David published a short story, "The Black '59" (1992), in the anthologyShock Rock, edited by F. Paul Wilson.[24]
He has also written a number of comics. With his friend, the lateMiguel Ferrer, Mumy createdComet Man and Trypto the Acid Dog. They also co-wrote theMarvel Graphic NovelThe Dreamwalker.[25]
Mumy married Eileen Joy Davis on October 9, 1986.[4] They live inLaurel Canyon, Los Angeles with their two children, Seth andLiliana.[26][27]
| Year | Film/Television | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | The Tom Ewell Show | Jeffrey Nelson | Season 1 Episode 5: "Tom Puts the Girls to Work" |
| 1961 | The Twilight Zone | Billy Bayles | Season 2 Episode 22: "Long Distance Call" |
| 1961 | The Twilight Zone | Anthony Fremont | Season 3 Episode 8: "It's a Good Life" |
| 1961 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Jackie Chester | Season 7 Episode 2: "Bang, You're Dead" |
| 1962 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Mickey Hollins | Season 7 Episode 15: "The Door Without a Key" |
| 1962 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Tony Mitchell | Season 1 Episode 8: "House Guest" |
| 1962 | Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | Petey Loomis | Episode: "Sammy, the Way-Out Seal" |
| 1962 | The Jack Benny Program | 34-Lb Boy | Season 13 Episode 12: "Jack and the Crying Cab Driver" |
| 1962 | Wagon Train | Toddy | Season 6 Episode 15: "The Sam Darland Story" |
| 1963 | The Twilight Zone | young Pip Phillips | Season 5 Episode 1: "In Praise of Pip" |
| 1963 | A Child Is Waiting | Boy counting Jean's pearls | |
| 1963 | A Ticklish Affair | Alex Martin | |
| 1963 | Palm Springs Weekend | 'Boom Boom' Yates | |
| 1963 | Perry Mason | Miles Jefferson | Season 7 Episode 2: "The Case of the Shifty Shoebox" |
| 1964 | Bewitched | Michael (Orphan Boy) | Season 1 Episode 15: "A Vision of Sugar Plums" |
| 1964 | The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | Billy | Season 13 Episode 2: "Rick's Old Printing Press" |
| 1964 | The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | Billy | Season 13 Episode 7: "The Pennies" |
| 1964 | The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | Billy | Season 13 Episode 8: "The Ballerina" |
| 1965 | Bewitched | Darrin | Season 2 Episode 10: "Junior Executive" |
| 1965 | The Virginian | Willy | Season 3 Episode 28: "Old Cowboy" |
| 1965 | Dear Brigitte | Erasmus 'Ras' Leaf | |
| 1965 | I Dream of Jeannie | Custer | Season 1 Episode 11: "Whatever Became of Baby Custer?" |
| 1965 | The Munsters | Googie Miller | Season 1 Episode 25: "Come Back Little Googie" |
| 1965–68 | Lost in Space | Will Robinson | 84 episodes |
| 1968 | Wild in the Streets | Boy | Uncredited |
| 1969 | Rascal | Sterling North | |
| 1969 | Lancer | Andy Cutler | Season 2 Episode 3: "The Kid" |
| 1970 | Here Come the Brides | Simon Bill | Season 2 Episode 15: "Break the Bank of Tacoma" |
| 1971 | Bless the Beasts and Children | Teft | |
| 1973 | Papillon | Lariot | |
| 1974 | The Rockford Files | Nick Butler | Season 1 Episode: "Backlash of the Hunter" (pilot) |
| 1975 | The Rockford Files | Trask | Season 1 Episode 14: "Aura Lee, Farewell" |
| 1975 | Sunshine | Weaver | 15 episodes |
| 1983 | Twilight Zone: The Movie | Tim (Segment #3) | |
| 1984 | Hard to Hold | Keyboard Player | |
| 1988 | Matlock | Dr. Irwin Bruckner | Season 2 Episode 20: "The Genius" |
| 1990 | Captain America | Young General Fleming | |
| 1991 | The Flash | Roger Braintree | Season 1 Episode 19: "Good Night, Central City" |
| 1991 | Superboy | Tommy Puck | Season 4 Episode 1: "A Change of Heart, Part 1" |
| 1991 | Superboy | Tommy Puck | Season 4 Episode 2: "A Change of Heart, Part 2" |
| 1992 | Superboy | Tommy Puck | Season 4 Episode 19: "Obituary for a Super Hero" |
| 1992 | Double Trouble | Bob | |
| 1993 | Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero | Fenton | Season 1 Episode 5: "Monstrous Meltdown" |
| 1994 | Animaniacs | The Farmer | Voice, Season 1 Episode 62: "Witch One"[28] |
| 1994 | The Ren & Stimpy Show | Dr. Brainchild | Voice, Season 4 Episode 3: "Blazing Entrails" |
| 1994–98 | Babylon 5 | Lennier | 109 episodes |
| 1995 | Batman: The Animated Series | Warren Lawford / Fox | Voice, Season 4 Episode 1: "The Terrible Trio"[28] |
| 1996 | The Oz Kids | Sam | Voice[28] |
| 1997 | The Weird Al Show | UPS Guy | Season 1 Episode 4: "Back to School |
| 1997 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Himself | Voice, episode: "Switcheroo '97" |
| 1998 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Kellin | Season 7 Episode 8: "The Siege of AR-558" |
| 1998 | Lost in Space Forever | Himself / Will Robinson | TV special |
| 2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Eon | Voice, Season 1 Episode 9: "Tag Team"[28] |
| 2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Eon | Voice, Season 1 Episode 19: "A Zoo Out There"[28] |
| 2003 | The Twilight Zone | Adult Anthony Fremont | Season 1 Episode 30: "It's Still a Good Life" |
| 2004 | Comic Book: The Movie | Himself | Video |
| 2006 | Holly Hobbie & Friends | Bud Morris | Voice, Season 1 Episode 2: "Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes"[28] |
| 2009 | The Bolt Who Screwed Christmas | Knob Ratchett | Theatrical short |
| 2011 | Ben 10: Ultimate Alien | Agent Bryson | Voice, Season 3 Episode 8: "The Widening Gyre" |
| 2013–18 | Bravest Warriors | Ralph Waldo Pickle Chips / Johnny Tezuka / Reverend Picklechips / Judge / President Fishhead | Voice, 11 episodes |
| 2014 | Transformers: Rescue Bots | Vigil | Voice, Season 2 Episode 14: "The Vigilant Town"[28] |
| 2014 | Transformers: Rescue Bots | Vigil | Voice, Season 3 Episode 6: "No Place Like Dome"[28] |
| 2018 | The Loud House | Timothy "Tim" McCole | Voice, Season 3 Episode 1: "A Fridge Too Far"[28] |
| 2018 | Lost in Space (2018) | Dr. Zachary Smith | Season 1 Episode 1: "Impact" |
| 2019 | Lost in Space (2018) | Dr. Zachary Smith | Season 2 Episode 3: "Echoes" |
| 2023 | Babylon 5: The Road Home | Lennier | Voice, direct-to-video[29][28] |
| 2024 | Space Command Redemption | Greg Mazzey |
Besides warning young Will Robinson of impending danger, Tufeld's Robot uttered other lines that became catchphrases for faithful viewers — including "That does not compute" — and needled the antagonistic Dr. Zachary Smith with barbs like "Dr. Smith is a bubble-headed booby."
YouTube title:Bill Mumy discusses appearing on 'Star Trek Deep Space Nine'
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