How Bill Mumy's unlucky break eventually led to his lucky break on Lost in Space.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Danger Will Robinson! Bill Mumy shares his road from energetic kid to starring in one of the biggest hits of the sixties. This triple-threat star - actor, singer, author - opens up about the major TV actress he fell in love with, and kissed - when he was still a child star! Bill also reveals behind-the-scenes stories from the Lost In Space set including the cast member who loved a prank. Plus Bill tells about the iconic role he turned down, which former heartthrob got him interested in music and what Jonathan Harris aka Dr Smith, was really like in person.
Timecodes
1:23 Bill’s lucky ‘break’
3:22 Romper Room
5:36 First professional job
6:39 Bewitched
14:54 The Munsters
16:57 Lost In Space
21:01 Jonathan Harris - Dr Smith
31:32 Guy Williams
39:55 The new Lost In Space
42:00 Music
44:37 Danger, Will Robinson - the book
45:23 James Stewart
49:39 Steve McQueen & Dustin Hoffman
51:40 Ringo
52:47 Shaun Cassidy
54:11 Meeting his wife
56:30 How you can buy his book and get it autographed
I'm 2 years younger than you Bill. Honestly the only thing that I looked forward to was watching you on Lost In Space when I was a kid. I really had a boyhood crush on you and didn't understand why back then. My parents found an article about you during that time and I cut it out of the paper and put it in a billfold and carried it everywhere with me. I wished I could have met you in person. One birthday I sent you an invitation to my party and my friends and I waited but you didn't show up. We were crushed but we still watched you faithfully every week anyway. Nothing else mattered to me and you were my hero back then. Thanks for the great memories you gave me.
My goodness, this generation of child actors are the nicest people on the planet
I must say first off to the interviewer on these thankyou for being respectful to the guest interviewed in each you let them talk without interrupting which makes each interview enjoyable. Bill Mumy shows I think how nice he is in real life if you were to meet him and thats a great credit when you see hiw many so called stars when you meet them there dreadful. I do have a sad part of this review and that is he was not questioned about The Robot B9 and Bob May who was inside of the Robot. In his own way that Robot was a major star of Lost In Space and probably why I have 160 figures of The Robot in my Home and every one of them say " Danger Danger" in some form or another. I still always thought his episode in Bewitched about Santa Claus and how he went from not believing to believing was a great lesson for every single person to never loose there hopes in believing in things or people that they thought never existed.
Great to see Billy and so many of the cast still with us which if I was the interviewer here especially since June is still alive and the internet has that ability I would be getting the full cast that are still with us together for and hour or 2 interview up here. Time can be lost do quickly so do it now.
Lost in Space was one of those shows that stays with you your whole life and The Blu Ray set of the series looks like you can touch the sets, great job to 20th Century Fox. This might be Billy's best interview I think he ever did wish it was 2 hours and I know he would have did that.
Great Job.......Great Interview.....Just Nice.
THANKYOU.
Scott Denny.
Oh I must say ,what a great interview , what a nice man MR MUMY is 😊 such a interesting person to listen to about his wonderful life 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😊
I love this guy! I remember him on Twilight Zone … what great acting for such a young child! He played the little boy whose grandmother gave him a toy phone and when she died he would talk to her from the beyond! Kind of scary, but great episode! I saw Billy on Bewitched, the little boy with the over protective mother who wouldn’t let him play baseball because he might get hurt.. and of course, I absolutely Loved “Lost in Space “, which I saw every day after school ( must have been in re runs ). Seeing him in this interview is amazing! Brings back good memories from my childhood ! He looks great, so smart, funny, and does a great impression of Dr Smith! Lol! I guess I am a Billy Mumy fan!
Billy is a treasure ! Thanks Bill for all the great memories.
I love interviews with Bill Mumy......what a great life
Bill was wonderful in every character he played. Thanks Bill for all the memories 💙
Loved this interview!
Glad he didn’t suffer the things many child actors did. Or sounds like he didn’t.
One of the best interviews I have heard that gave a description of sitcom development, script rewrites and actor priority that turned out to be a positive. I'm pretty sure Lost In Space came out a year or so before Star Trek. Gene Roddenberry had to look at character interaction in this show and looked for the same character interaction in his sci Fi series.
Great extended interview with Bill Mumy
My father worked at universal studios for many years. I saw Bill Mumy twice on the Universal lot. One was when he guested on the Virginian I think, and I definitely saw him the week that he worked on the Munsters. He had already done the two twilight zone episodes that scared me when I was a kid. He was a great actor as a kid. i’ve seen him and his cast mates from lost in space several times at autographed shows. The entire cast is as nice as Bill Mumy.
What an absolute pleasure this was to watch. Bill Mumy is a charming, witty, funny, engaging person. So much more than Will Robinson. I am collapsing with mirth at his Jonathan Harris impersonation. Thank you Craig Bennett for another seriously brilliant interview.
Mumy is genius. So is the interviewer.
How lovely to see that my crush of decades became such a wonderful man. I always saw a maturity in Billy's performances that astounded me; something that conveyed an old, wise soul. It's great to see that he hasn't changed. Down to earth, genuine, kind, nice, respectful ... you're awesome, Bill ! I wish you all happiness.
unbelievable that you dont have millions of subscribers... these are fantastic interviews !!
It's still early days Yall - and thank you for your comment. Craig and I love talking to these stars and hopefully more subscribers come onboard.
@@kelshep just watch your subscriptions climb... I will post these interviews where there are millions of subscribers...then watch your subs climb !!
While growing up in the 1960s, Bill Mumy always gave me the impression as being a child prodigy who was able to effortlessly memorize his theatrical lines. In addition to being an actor, writer, producer and singer, I didn't know that Mumy is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who plays the banjo, bass, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, mandolin and percussion.
For me his Twilight Zone episode was awesome...”You’re a bad man!”... and I have the entire Lost in Space series...
I love all of his TZ episodes.
What a great interview!
Thanks for video
You two guys rock!
❤❤
You rock @terrysipes4880!
It was easy to pick up on the fact that you loved what you were doing. And all the rest of us wanted your job. I'm a lifetime fan, and appreciate having you all in our living room every week.
I grew up watching this man . what a great story.Bill you're a great person glad to see you are doing great.
Very nice interview. Mumy still seems youthful and genuinely happy, and I think it's because of (1) the great opportunity to make a living all his life in the creative way he wanted to; and (2) a loving and supportive family both as a child and an adult. Seems like a really nice guy. Spot-on impression of Jonathan Harris, too!
I just finished Bill’s autobiography and can sincerely say it’s the most entertaining book I’ve read in years. He’s a natural storyteller; felt like I was sitting in his living room having a chat about his life and career. ❤️
Did you get the signed copy. Im thinking it would have been nice to have him sign one of Jonathan's phrases to you. " You Bubble Headed Booby"
Oh, I will have to grab this!
This is a fantastic interview. Bill's Jonathan Harris impression is spectacular.
Bill Mumy grew up the same time I did. I liked and also wanted Zorro and the Mickey Mouse Club. I also watched him in Lost In Space. I have seen him in a lot of the tv shows you mentioned in the interview. It was great to hear him talk about his experiences in show business
As a kid, I loved the characterization that Bill Mumy gave to Will Robinson. He was actually instrumental in giving the robot his complex personality. He was always fiddling with the Robot's controller, weather doodads and what nots. I don't know of anybody that could have played his part better.
Such a great interview, such a lovely man.
I’m the same exact age and stature as Bill and consequently, I identified with him a lot as a kid watching Lost in Space. A few years after the show ended, he was really good in a movie called ‘Bless the Beasts and Children.’ His character was very much against type from Will Robinson. I recommend the film to all Mumy fans.
Thanks for posting this excellent interview! Much appreciated. 😊
The highlight of Mumy's always-entertaining interviews is his absolutely spot-on impersonation of Jonathan Harris. The voice, the mannerisms, the attitude --- perfection. A joy to watch and hear.
Love these extended interviews. Fascinating to hear all the stories. He will always be Will Robinson for me but also really enjoyed him playing Lennier in Babylon 5, another great favourite of mine.
I was Will Robinson for Halloween when I was probably 8 years old back in 1969. A velvetty turtleneck, black slacks, and zip up boots was all it took, but that's who I wanted to be. And then fast forward to 2002, when Jonathan Harris entered my life. I was even invited to his memorial, where I marveled at Bill telling Jonathan stories. Great interview! I'm looking forward to the book!
Always liked Bill Mummy he seemed like a boy who would have lived on our block
That episode where you were sent into the past on Earth and couldn't get back to the ship in the future, or get anyone to believe you, was amazing acting. I' watched that episode as a child and have never forgotten.
wow, that episode was just on the other day and was one i must have missed when it originally aired in the 60's and subsequent syndications. also just happened to catch him in an episode of jack benny last night. always a fan of will- bill.
I'm a gen X, but my older brothers and sisters were boomers who put me onto Lost in Space. The series was truly loved by Australians...
Thank you so much for interviewing Billy Mumy! I had such a crush on him in Lost in Space. He is a remarkable man who has done so much and continues to. What a joy this has been. 😊
Danger Danger Will Robinson😢Wow‼️Never knew he played a little Darren on my fav show Bewitched. My brother and I would come home from school and around five o’clock mom would make tv dinners for me and my brother. Then turn on Lost In Space reruns. We absolutely loved it. Can’t wait to see what he’s working on now. Thanks😊
Fantastic interview sir!!!!
What a great guy. So glad the Hollywood badness didn't get to him after all those years. Thanks for your perseverance.
I don't think I've EVER heard an impression capture the target so absolutely perfect as Bill's "Jonathan Harris as Doctor Smith"! Amazing!
It's still unbelievable that the original Will Robinson is now old enough to be the father of the original Doctor Smith.... Bill Mumy is a scifi legend and certainly looks a lot younger than his 69 years
Exactly. Feels like yesterday that I was watching LIS.
@@kelshep bill needs to shave and get a haircut....he would look better
Have met Bill several times over the years, at autograph shows. Always so kind & so nice to everyone! (Highly recommend his autobiography, too!)
This was a fantastic interview with one of my favorite entertainers, Bill Mumy. Bill is such a warm and engaging person and that is another reason that the interview stands out.
Excellent interview! Being the same age as Mr. Mumy and a fan, this brings back so many memories. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it
Bill seems to have been s very aware child. Good for him. I enjoyed this interview. I watched it in spanish and English do to my families moves around the world.
Streaming this on my tv right now, but had to pause to get on my tablet and comment, man I love Billy Mumy! I came along in '61, so I grew up watching him on Lost in Space. The guy is timeless, he inspired me as a kid and still does today. And now that I'm retired, I'm looking forward to watching him on the Babylon 5 dvds I bought 10 years ago. Another great interview courtesy of Craig Bennett, thank you!
Bill announced after our interview that there is a Babylon 5 animated movie coming so you have more to look forward to Doug. Thank you for the comment. Kelley
Thank you Doug! Bill is a dream to chat with.
Great interview, thank you both.
Such a great interview. The host does a great job of letting Bill speak without interrupting - which seems a bit rare these days. I could listen to Bill speak for hours - very entertaining (if I close my eyes, I could swear Jonathan Harris was talking)! Can't wait to pick up a copy of the book!
Craig Bennett you are a rare and wonderful talent, thank you for this fascinating interview! 🌟💗
Thank you for your comment Collette and glad you enjoyed the interview and Craig's interview style. Kelley
I so agree!
Craig you are an outstanding interviewer!!!
You let people talk without interrupting !!!
❤️
What a guy, Mr Bill Mumy is so impressive ins career and in telling stories. A thoroughly engaging interview, as always here. As others are saying, I'm out to buy his book and to get it signed is a bonus. Thanks again for allowing Mr Mumy to answer questions fully, unlike most interviewers who overtake and cut off constantly. 🙏🙏
Always enjoyed Bill Mumy wish I had a chance to. Meet him before my time is up! Forever Will Robinson from my time as a child!! A claas act actor
I really love the way those early shows were photographed. Incredibly beautiful b&w. And that robot is the greatest.
I liked the robot also.Too bad they didn,t mention Mr May's the man inside the bot.He had a hot job and was never seen.They did use his voice at the Time Tunnel every episode beginnings.
Jimmy Stewart was a real hero. He was a Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserve and he still contributed until he died. He was great as a radio, TV and movie star and a genuine person. A true class act, I watched his movies much later in life, but truly my favorite actor of all time.
He also helped Tom Slick smuggle a stolen Abominable Snowman scalp out of Tibet.
This interview was an absolute joy and a blessing to my day! Mr. Mumy is so upbeat, kind, and funny - such wonderful stories! I think he and his wife must be such great people to have as friends. Loved it!
Bill Mumy really did work hard - as a kid, I remember seeing him in everything!
Excellent interview, Mr Mumy so charming and interesting, and the host, Mr Bennett exceptional.
Wonderful interview, funny, interesting and a chance to relive a great era
This interview was delightful. God Bill looks handsome with whiskers. Does he know Leland Sklar? I kept hearing Lee's cadences and seeing his facial expressions. That is meant as a compliment.
I was a huge fan of Bill Mumy as Will Robinson on *Lost in Space,* but for me, Bill's role as Lawrence Teft III in *Bless the Beasts and Children* (1971) is just as iconic.
I'm glad someone else mentions this. What a masterpiece!
Agree! 🙌🏽
Yes!
Teft was SO cool !!!
And The Carpenter's singing the theme to that movie gave alot of humanity and class to it also.
I'm 65 this year, and grew up with you in the 60s. Loved the show and all the other things you did. What a wonderful world it was. What happened to now? My next major trip is the dirt nap, and I've been enjoying watching NDE videos on YT. They changed my life and made me very happy in this hard time of wars and rumors of wars. Man cannot live without a smile!
I have been following Bill for a long time. From The twilight Zone to Lost in Space to Bless the Beast & the Children. Thank you Craig for such a great interview.
Lost in Space is my favorite show of all time. Watched it in reruns after school!
What a lovely guy.
I am the same age as Billy and have a lot of warm memories watching lost in space as a kid.
That is a fantastic interview, Craig Bennett. ( You also have a cool surname. ). His role of Will in Lost In Space inspired me as a kid to get into the Australian film industry. I became a film and tv stunt performer for the next 40 years. This is one of the best interviews i have seen with him. Well done Craig.
Thank you for your comment Dean - and I'm sure Craig will be thrilled to have another Bennett onboard! Kelley
Thank you Dean!
When 10 and 11 years old Lost in Space was the only show my step mom would let us watch. Seriously! Wednesday night at 8:00. I could really relate to Will Robinson.
It's early early morning in Nevada, and I cannot put this incredible interview with Mr Mumy on pause. Laughing, crying and totally engrossed. Can't wait to buy his book,.
I always keep in mind the image of Billy Mumy in his role as Willy Robinson in the Lost in Space series.
Thanks for this interview! I'm in my mid sixties and I wondered what Bill Mumy has been up to. And thanks to this video, I got some answers. I Thank both of you for the interview. I may get the book. Lost In Space was always my favorite show at the time, and it's because of Billy being close to my age, and older than me by 4 years. But heck not much was on TV that captured my imagination like the Lost in Space show with that "Danger Will Robinson!" Robot. I lost track of Billy. Thanks again. Terry
Thank you for your comment Terry and glad you enjoyed our interview with Bill.
Bill's impression of Dr.Smith was SPOOKY SPOT ON!😮😮😮😮😮😂😂😂😂😂
Grew up watching Lost in Space and clicked on briefly to hear Bill's views about the show and stayed the whole way. Just brilliant Billy Mumy 👏 👌
Lost in space just great 👍 👌 🙂 my gold tv years
Bill , I hope you see this, but I used to run as fast as i could , after school finished, to run home, to watch Lost in Space, down here in Adelaide , South Australia .. loved all of it .. I was envious that you had the opportunity to be involved in such an Iconic TV Series..
What a joy to hear Bill talk about his life with such candor. I've been a fan since I was a little kid in the late 60s, imagining I was Will Robinson. He would have been a great older brother! He's a lot like that character - smart, fearless, humble, caring, and genuine. I'm sure he's made everybody's lives he's touched a little better. Thank you for this wonderful interview. I look forward to reading his book about his fantastic life!
Whenever I see Bill in a movie or TV show I feel a connection as we are within months of the same age. Always wished I could have been Will Robinson. Never gotten anything but good vibes from Bill Mumy interviews.
Looking at his career is amazing. All the A listers he has worked with when he was a kid.
I enjoyed this interview very much. I am close to the same age as Bill and remember Lost in Space as one of my favorite programs, and still watch it on Me tv at 69 years old. Thank you very much!
Wow He looks exactly the way he did as a child! And SHIT he looks great for being in his 70s!
Damn! You sound EXACTLY like Jonathan Harris!!!! The first movie I remember watching with you in a starring vehicle was "Bless the Beasts and the Children."
As Billy grew up wanting to be Zorro and Superman, I grew up wanting to be Billy! He had the life I wanted! I too, wanted to be inside that television acting the kinds of wonderful roles Billy did, but living in New Jersey, it was out of reach at the time. However, I was happy to learn from Mr. Mumy. I knew even as a child that he was a very good actor, and I took great delight in watching him cavort all day with a loaded gun in “Bang, Bang” on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, laughing with his beloved departed grandmother on a toy telephone in “Long Distance” on The Twilight Zone as well as the younger version of Viet Nam soldier Bobby Diamond in “in Praise of Pip”, an hour long TZ starring a heart-wrenchingly powerful Jack Klugman following Billy in a hall of mirrors. And of course the iconic Anthony Fremont who only liked happy thoughts and No Singing! Thank you, Billy, for doing your jobs so well. You inspired me to act, which I have loved doing for about six decades now. Kudos!
First thing after writing this comment, to say yet another first class interview, and grabbing myself a copy of Bill Mumy's book. He is hilarious. Had no idea he had amassed so many TV and movie credits, and worked with so many impressive movie stars. Thank you Celebrity Drop and Craig. Can't wait for the next interview.
Thank you Jo. We lived speaking with Bill and happy you enjoyed our chat.
I met Bill at a couple of Sci-fi conventions and he autographed my copy of the unaired Lost in Space pilot and he called me at having a bootleg copy and he didn't make a dime from it, but I told him I bought it at the convention!!!!!!!
I'm 62 and lost space was my favorite, In school had a club building Jupiter 2's models and other replicas. I always remember watching and being amazed the writing and cast.
Great interview...and wonderful stories from Bill. I've always loved his work.
I was "glued" to this today, and of course VERY GLUED to my all-time favorite show Lost In Space. My other all-time show (cartoon), which I would (like Mr. Mumy - his chosen shows) "play" and dress up and such was Prince Planet.
Great comment Fred and thank you for your comment - I'd forgotten about Prince Planet. Loved it!
Absolutely a wonderful interview 😉👍
Love Bill Mumy I grew up watching him. As a very young teenager I thought Lost in Space became too corny for me however loved the many other roles he played especially those twilight zone episodes Bill Mumy always played a cute mischievous actor. So nice to see him now. Thank you for this interview.
I could tell even as a kid watching Lost in Space that someone was intentionally trying to make it more lighthearted. I always wanted to see more monsters and stuff though as a kid.
@@danjones5161 yeah I don't know why it was done but I got that same notion as you as a kid.
The campy humor ios what made the shwo so greaT
@@paulconsalvo7574 The campy humor is what made the show so great
More like what I said corny.......
We had a lot of fun working with Bill on a couple music videos and he makes a cameo in our, "Agents of Project Blue Book" Thrillorama film. His music is very Tom Petty-esque...Multi -Talented Dude!...
How fabulous! Will have to check out the video. Thank you for sharing.
Bill was born one month after me so when I see him in an old show, that's the same age I was so naturally, I identified with him the most.
Being the same age as Billy, and having such a deep interest in tv of that 60's Era, and generally life growing up at that time, ...I would ❤️ the chance to sit down over a lunch or coffee and just talk about life then and now.
I love how Billy relates the Events of the times to what was going in the world to when the show was filming.
Damn Bill is almost 10 years older than me yet looks like he is in his mid 40's. Well Done.
I hope this book is on audible because I could listen to Bill speak all day! I grew up watching Lost in Space, loved it. What a very special guy he has grown to be. Very intelligent, humble, grateful yet knows his worth, a great orator and a lifetime of amazing memories and stories. I sooo enjoyed this interview, I appreciate the way Craig conducts his interviews, always lots of info & fun stories in a relaxed conversation. Thanks!
Exceptional interview. Bill can tell a great story, yes, but who would have expected nailing the impressions so well. No mention of his role as one-half of Barnes & Barnes performing the classic “Fish Heads.”
Thank you for your comment Rick. We didn’t get enough time to talk about Barnes & Barnes but we will when we next talk with him. Thanks again.
OMG I had forgotten about this Dr. Demento classic.
I had no idea he was involved with that!
I just loved this interview. Like two great friends just chatting. Bill’s Jonathan Harris impersonation exceptional. Wow-weeeeee
You Mr. Bill Mumy are a national treasure! Thank you for all the greatest memories as a young boy, growing up watching you and your extended family! thanks Billy.Your friend from Vt,Chip
What a wonderful interview! Bill Mumy comes across as a down to earth, humble, kind, smart, and humorous gentleman, and what a storyteller! I appreciate you allowing Bill to tell his stories without interruptions. It is refreshing to hear an actor have nothing but positive things to say about his career and the other actors he worked with. Really, a great interview, thank you!
Big fan of Lost in Space as a kid. Bill Mumy is an incredibly down-to-earth and likable person with a wealth of knowledge from this era of film and TV.
Bill will now, and always be, my childhood hero!
This was great to watch. Lost in Space in Space has gave me so of my favorite phrase that even my grandchild know and the major one is Danger Will Robinson, which I use when things looked a bit off and That does not compute they really made them roll when I did the robot move. My granddaughter's first she can walk costume was a robot because she aliways would act like one but of course she was not feeling the whole first Halloween and her uncle had to carry most the time. Those that can't think, fight (but smart enough to know when they need to) and (me:stay close) There a lot of space out there to get lost in. It sad about how Mr. William died alone and not sure how long he was a live before he actually succumb. How I love hating Dr. Smith for his antics and totally did not understand how Penny could be so dumb and weak (darn script writers) and she was older than me and Will. It great to know that most have lived a long life and are still very close. Thanks for sharing and blessings to you and all in the days to come.
I wish is book was available on KINDLE or AUDIO... $45 is too much for me. Great to see him so well and happy. We are only a year apart - I feel like I grew up with him. He's had (HAS) a remarkable career. Amazing he managed to dodge the curse of the Child Star that consumed so many of his generation.
Thanks Billy........I know you always wanted to be WIll Robinson.......I hope you know so many of us wanted to be WIll Robinson because of you!!!!! YOU CRUSHEd as WIll!!!!!!! Thanks for all your great acting gigs......I remember the Twilight zone and many others. Ohhh and Bless the Beasts and the Children.....That was a great one.