Bruce Bilson
Biography
Bruce Bilson was an American film and television director born on May 19, 1928, in New York City, New York. He passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 97. Bilson is most notable for his work as a regular director on the spy spoof television series Get Smart. For his work on the third season Get Smart episode titled Maxwell Smart, Private Eye, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the 1967 to 1968 period. Throughout his career, he accumulated 103 known credits in directing across film and television.
Career overview
Bruce Bilson was an American film and television director born in New York City, New York, on May 19, 1928, and passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of ninety-seven. Over the course of his career, he amassed 103 known credits in directing for both movies and television shows.
He is most notable for his work as a regular director on the spy spoof Get Smart. During his time working on the series, he directed the third season episode titled Maxwell Smart, Private Eye. His work on this particular episode earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the 1967 to 1968 television season.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
105 titles- 24 Behind the Scenes: The Editing Process (2006) Director
- Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998) Director
- Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1997) Director
- The Sentinel (1996) Director
- Deadly Games (1995) Director
- Touched by an Angel (1994) Director
- Viper (1994) Director
- One West Waikiki (1994) Director
- Human Target (1992) Director
- The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade (1992) Director
- Dinosaurs (1991) Director
- The Torkelsons (1991) Director
- P.S. I Luv U (1991) Director
- The Flash (1990) Director
- They Came from Outer Space (1990) Director
- The Bradys (1990) Director
- Hull High (1990) Director
- Nightingales (1989) Director
- The Nutt House (1989) Director
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) Director
- Life with Lucy (1986) Director
- The Twilight Zone (1985) Director
- Spenser: For Hire (1985) Director
- The Colbys (1985) Director
- Gidget's Summer Reunion (1985) Director
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984) Director
- Glitter (1984) Director
- Chattanooga Choo Choo (1984) Director
- Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983) Director
- Just Our Luck (1983) Director
- Knight Rider (1982) Director
- Hotel (1982) Director
- The Powers of Matthew Star (1982) Director
- Bring 'Em Back Alive (1982) Director
- Simon & Simon (1981) Director
- Dynasty (1981) Director
- The Fall Guy (1981) Director
- Private Benjamin (1981) Director
- Harper Valley (1981) Director
- Aloha Paradise (1981) Director
- Too Close for Comfort (1980) Director
- Skag (1980) Director
- The Ghosts of Buxley Hall (1980) Director
- B. J. and the Bear (1979) Director
- House Calls (1979) Director
- The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979) Director
- Delta House (1979) Director
- The North Avenue Irregulars (1979) Director
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (1979) Producer
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (1979) Director
- The Halloween That Almost Wasn't (1979) Director
- Pleasure Cove (1979) Director
- Dallas (1978) Director
- B.J. and the Bear (1978) Director
- The Love Boat (1977) Director
- Hunter (1977) Director
- Tabitha (1977) Director
- Quark (1977) Director
- The Feather And Father Gang (1977) Director
- Alice (1976) Director
- Spencer's Pilots (1976) Director
- The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West (1976) Director
- The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe (1976) Director
- Barney Miller (1975) Director
- Wonder Woman (1975) Director
- Matt Helm (1975) Director
- S.W.A.T. (1975) Director
- Barbary Coast (1975) Director
- When Things Were Rotten (1975) Director
- Dead Man on the Run (1975) Director
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) Director
- The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped (1974) Director
- Dusty's Trail (1973) Director
- M*A*S*H (1972) Director
- Emergency! (1972) Director
- The Rookies (1972) Director
- Sanford and Son (1972) Director
- Temperatures Rising (1972) Director
- The Paul Lynde Show (1972) Director
- Alias Smith and Jones (1971) Director
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) Director
- The Odd Couple (1970) Director
- Nanny and the Professor (1970) Director
- Barefoot in the Park (1970) Director
- Love, American Style (1969) Director
- The Brady Bunch (1969) Director
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) Director
- The Doris Day Show (1968) Director
- The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (1968) Director
- The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1968) Director
- Blondie (1968) Director
- That Girl (1966) Director
- Hogan's Heroes (1965) Director
- Get Smart (1965) Director
- Green Acres (1965) Director
- Camp Runamuck (1965) Director
- Gidget (1965) Director
- Bewitched (1964) Director
- One Potato, Two Potato (1964) Assistant Director
- The Patty Duke Show (1963) Director
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Assistant Director
- Too Soon to Love (1960) Assistant Director
- Bonanza (1959) Director
- University U.S.A. (1950) Writer
- University U.S.A. (1950) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Bruce Bilson best known for?
Bruce Bilson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Air Force One (1997), Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1997), The Sentinel (1996), Deadly Games (1995).
When and where was Bruce Bilson born?
Bruce Bilson was born on May 19, 1928 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on January 16, 2026.
How many credits does Bruce Bilson have?
Bruce Bilson has accumulated over 105 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1950 to 2006.
What is Bruce Bilson's background in cinema and television?
Bruce Bilson was an American film and television director born on May 19, 1928, in New York City, New York. He passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 97. Bilson is most notable for his work as a regular director on the spy spoof television series Get Smart. For his work on the third season Get Smart episode tit...