There aren’t a whole lot of people who can relate to Bill Mumy’s childhood. In the 1960s, he was among the busiest child actors in Hollywood. “I was the first American actor to get a kiss from Brigitte Bardot!” he said, thanks to his starring role in 1965’s “Dear Brigitte.”
It was a career born of roughhousing at the age of six: “So, one day I’m in my Zorro outfit and I’m jumping off of the bed, and I cracked my left leg, like in half,” he said. “But, it was my lucky break! So, I was sitting there in a cast watching ‘Zorro’ and ‘Superman,’ and I very passionately said to my parents, ‘That is what I want to do. I want to be inside the television.'”
He was the son of a California cattle rancher, and a secretary at 20th Century Fox, who kept meticulous track of her son’s work. “She kept a record of my gigs,” Mumy said, showing us her notes from May of 1961: “Did a ‘Twilight Zone’ called ‘It’s a Good Life.’ Billy did a wonderful job. $600.”
Mumy did three episodes of “The Twilight Zone” on TV, and worked with movie stars like Jimmy Stewart and Lucille Ball, all before he was ten. He learned how to behave from Cloris Leachman, and how not to behave from Alfred Hitchcock (who directed him in an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” called “Bang! You’re Dead”), who was mean to a fidgety seven-year-old on set. “And this is exactly what he said: ‘If you don’t stop moving about, I’m going to get a nail, and I’m going to nail your feet to your mark, and the blood will come pouring out like milk,'” said Mumy.
But all of that was prologue, because in 1965, Mumy got famous – “action figure” famous – starring as Will Robinson, the youngest member of a marooned space-age Swiss Family Robinson, for three seasons of “Lost in Space.”
At its peak, more than 25 million viewers a week watched the adventures Mumy shared with his sidekick, a robot named B-9.
Sixty years later, asked what it’s like to stand next to a B-9 replica built by Hollywood robot builder Fred Barton, Mumy replied, “I think he still looks great. I wish I was in a purple velour and a turtleneck right now going to work with him!”
The robot would warn Mumy of one threat or another, with one of TV’s most enduring catch-phrases: “Danger, Will Robinson!” – something random strangers still shout when seeing him. “I accepted it as a blessing,” he said. “How many people have something that people want to shout out at them, right? It’s cool!”
When “Lost in Space” ended in 1968, of course, Mumy was sad: “And I cried. I actually can remember sitting on the blue couch in our den, and putting my head in my mom’s lap and her just kind of petting my head going, ‘That’s showbiz, honey.'”
And this is where the story gets both really interesting and highly instructive. Mumy avoided the headlines other child stars could not when the bright lights fade.
Mumy said, “There are a lot of child stars who had sad endings, and when that one experience of a long-running television show was over, they weren’t treated special anymore, and they had to find out who they were.”
But Bill Mumy already knew who he was. Despite being one of the most prolific child actors of the 1960s, what he was connected to more than anything else was music. Acting is something he does. Music is who he is.
“I don’t want to diminish my enjoyment of acting,” he said. “I know the craft of acting and I’m comfortable whenever I do it. But if I’m not doing it, it’s not like I go home and act. It’s not like my wife Eileen and I sit around and do plays in the living room. But what I do do is, I play guitar and piano and music all the time.”
For the nearly 60 years since “Lost in Space” folded, Mumy has performed with his own bands (including the duo Barnes & Barnes); toured with groups like America; and been an Emmy-nominated songwriter (for “Adventures in Wonderland”).
At the age of 72, Mumy still acts and does plenty of voiceover work. But while it’s music that fuels him (he just released a new album, “Will Power”), it’s still not the most important ingredient in the recipe for staying grounded. “It’s my family,” he said. “This is the good stuff right here. This is the A-Roll!”
Bill Mumy has captured something that’s eluded so many others touched by fame at an early age: an understanding that the only applause that matters is for how he does as husband, father and grandfather. To this Hollywood fixture for more than six-and-a-half decades, those were the only roles worth chasing: “In the big picture, I’d much rather be me and have a wonderful relationship with my wife and my son and my daughter and my grandchildren, than have more gold records and, you know, two divorces and alimony and unhappiness,” he said.
“So, you can look back on the whole picture of your life and say, I’m good?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah! I can look back on the whole picture of my life and say, I’m real good!” Mumy laughed.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Watch an extended interview with Bill Mumy (Video)
You can stream Bill Mumy’s album “Will Power” by clicking on the embed below (Free Spotify registration required to hear the tracks in full):
For more info:
billmumy.com
Bill Mumy Discography
Bill Mumy recordings at GRA Group
the-robotman.com
“The Twilight Zone” episode “It’s a Good Life” can be streamed on Paramount+

The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time since 1973, overcoming another deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 at the Frost Bank Center.
And it was Jalen Brunson who cemented his legacy with his 45-point performance on Saturday night, closing out the series 4-1 and ending the longest championship drought in franchise history.
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While reveling in his newly minted Finals MVP status, Brunson also took a moment to address a completely different demographic: Taylor Swift fans.
Jalen Brunson Addresses Taylor Swift Fans After Leading the Knicks to NBA Glory
Game 5 was another tale of two halves, as the Knicks had another come-from-behind victory against a San Antonio side that just cannot hold on to leads. Brunson carried the offense whenever the Knicks struggled in Game 5, erupting for 15 points in the fourth quarter en route to a dominant closeout performance.
Brunson’s 45 points broke the franchise record for most points in a Finals game, surpassing the 38 scored by the late Willis Reed against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1970.
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Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, the other members of the “Nova Knicks” trio who won the 2016 NCAA title together at Villanova, chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
SEE ALSO: WATCH: Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Breaks Down in Tears After Ending New York’s 53-Year Championship Drought
However, amid the championship celebrations, Brunson dug up an unexpected pop-culture storyline specifically aimed at “Swifties.”
Looking to cool the tensions around radio announcer Monica McNutt and the recent drama, Brunson said, “I just want to say something to the Swifties. She’s [McNutt] a really good one. Cut her some slack. It’s all good. I promise.”
The message was a direct response to a viral incident from Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.
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During that broadcast, McNutt was caught on a hot mic noticing Swift in the celebrity row and remarking, “Is that Taylor Swift? She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here, girl.”
The moment drew “swift backlash,” as fans flooded social media to point out Swift’s documented history with the Knicks.
McNutt subsequently apologized, admitting that she was not aware that Swift was a long-time supporter of the Knicks.
MORE: ‘Team of Destiny’ — NBA World Erupts As Knicks End 53-Year Championship Drought With Game 5 Win vs. Spurs
Meanwhile, for the Spurs, it was a routine collapse that the fans had unfortunately grown used to. After surging ahead to a double-digit lead, San Antonio ran out of breath trying to maintain that momentum.
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship bout at the White House on Sunday is in some ways a birthday present for President Trump, who will celebrate turning 80 by cheering on the fighters inside the specially constructed Claw on the South Lawn.
One V.I.P. guest at the fight will be celebrating, too: David Ellison, the technology heir and Paramount Skydance chief executive who on Friday received a gift of sorts from the Trump administration.
After months of meticulous courtship of the president and his senior aides, Paramount got word on Friday that the Justice Department would not challenge its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, eliminating one of the last major obstacles for the deal to close.
Mr. Ellison also controls the exclusive broadcast rights to the U.F.C., one of Mr. Trump’s favorite sports, after he paid a whopping $7.7 billion last year for the privilege. Americans hoping to watch the event at 8 p.m. Sunday at the White House — which consists of seven marquee fights — will need a subscription to Paramount+, the Ellison-owned streaming platform.
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“Love & Hip Hop: Miami” star Michael Blackson settled up with his close friend and baby mama Nadia Beddini and agreed to pay her thousands per month in child support … TMZ has learned.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Michael will pony up $4,500 per month in support for their nearly 1-year-old son, Kweku, and pay Nadia $5K for her lawyer fees for the case.
This is a custody settlement … meaning Michael and Nadia agreed on all the terms, and the judge signed off on the deal.
The pair agreed to joint legal and physical custody, meaning the kid will spend time with each parent and they’ll share in the decision-making responsibility regarding all major issues involving the health, education, and welfare of their little one.
Interestingly, the docs say Michael can’t take Kweku outside the United States without written approval from Nadia, but Nadia can head out of the country as long as she gives him written notice and an itinerary. The pair have previously flown to Ghana to introduce Kweku to Michael’s family.
As we told you … Kweku was born within 2 months of Michael’s son with his ex-fiancée, Rada Darling.
Nadia told TMZ she and Michael had been friends for years before they started hooking up, and she said the pair planned on having a baby together. She also told us Rada was well aware of their relationship.
However, Rada told us a different story … saying she always knew there were other women in Michael’s life but didn’t know the extent of his relationship with Nadia until her pregnancy was revealed while filming “Love & Hip Hop.”
Still, she tells us she hopes her son with Michael, Michael Jr., and Kweku will grow up together … and with this joint custody agreement, it appears there’s a solid chance of that panning out!

Good news, horoscope readers: Christopher Renstrom’s daily horoscope is now available every day — and you can get it delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the SFGATE horoscope newsletter here.
ARIES (March 20 – April 18): You can have a tantrum if you want, but wouldn’t it be better to discuss your differences dispassionately? You’ll be happier with the result.
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TAURUS (April 19 – May 19): You beat out a competitor for the spot but wonder if the hell you know is better than the heaven you don’t. There’s only one way to find out. Move forward.
GEMINI (May 20 – June 20): It’s hard to believe things could actually come together for you. Don’t worry. Not only will you believe it, you’ll even embrace it.
CANCER (June 21 – July 21): Tell a loved one you’re ready to talk. You needed to clear some obligations off your plate and now that you have, you’re all ears.
LEO (July 22 – Aug. 21): Watch it. People love to give love advice that they would never follow in a million years. Follow what you know to be true in your heart and you can’t go wrong.
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VIRGO (Aug. 22 – Sept. 21): No one’s going to walk away from the current fracas looking good. Cop to your part in it and others will do the same.
Ruling Planets: Your Astrological Guide to Life’s Ups and Downs – amazon.com
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LIBRA (Sept. 22 – Oct. 22): It’s when you feel pulled in so many directions that you want to postpone making decisions. The best action is no action until you see what shakes out.
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SCORPIO (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): Talking over the person who’s giving you advice defeats the purpose. Let him do his job. It’s what you’re paying him for.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 – Dec. 20): You’re so accustomed to waving away trivial concerns that you could overlook one that’s not so trivial today. Pay attention to what’s going on and you’ll stave off a fiasco.
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CAPRICORN (Dec. 21 – Jan. 18): Life at work looks like one big mess, but the New Moon shows that things will come together in a new and profitable way. Give it four weeks..
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AQUARIUS (Jan. 19 – Feb. 17): It’s tempting to blow people off when life is hectic, but don’t. It’s easier to make time now; harder to make up for it later.
PISCES (Feb. 18 – March 19): Don’t be too quick to close the book on a certain matter. The New Moon shows there may be some life in that venture yet.