Bill Mumy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bill Mumy
Mumy in 2013
Born	Charles William Mumy Jr. (1954-02-01) February 1, 1954 (age 71) San Gabriel, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor musician writer producer
Years active	1960−present
Spouse(s)	Eileen Joy Davis ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	2, including Liliana
Awards	Inkpot Award (2015)

Bill Mumy (born February 1, 1954) is an American actor, writer, producer, and musician. He became famous in the 1960s as a child actor. He appeared on TV shows like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, and The Twilight Zone. He also starred as Will Robinson in the sci-fi series Lost in Space for three seasons. Later, Mumy played Sterling North in the movie Rascal (1969). He also appeared as Teft in the film Bless the Beasts and Children (1971).

In the 1990s, Mumy played Lennier in the sci-fi TV series Babylon 5. He also narrated the Biography series, which won an Emmy Award. Bill Mumy is also a talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was nominated for an Emmy for his original music in Adventures in Wonderland (1992). He performs as a solo artist and was part of the duo Barnes & Barnes.

Early Life and Start in Acting

Bill Mumy was born in San Gabriel, California. His father, Charles William Mumy, was a cattle rancher. Bill started his acting career at age seven. Since then, he has worked on over 400 TV episodes and 18 films. He has also done many voiceover projects. Besides acting, he is a musician, songwriter, and writer.

TV and Movie Roles

One of Mumy's first TV roles was six-year-old Willy in National Velvet (1960). He starred in three episodes of the original Twilight Zone. In "It's a Good Life" (1961), he played Anthony, a boy with special powers. He later played an adult Anthony in a new version of the show with his daughter, Liliana.

Mumy in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode Bang! You're Dead, 1961

In 1961, Mumy was in Alfred Hitchcock Presents in an episode called "Bang! You're Dead". He acted alongside Marta Kristen, who later played his sister in Lost in Space. At age eight, Mumy appeared in The Greatest Show on Earth (1963). He also played a parentless boy named Miles in an episode of Perry Mason (1963).

In 1964, he was in The Fugitive and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. He also played a troubled orphan in the Bewitched episode "A Vision of Sugarplums". Mumy was considered for the role of Eddie Munster in The Munsters. However, his parents did not like the idea of him wearing a lot of makeup. The role went to Butch Patrick instead. Mumy did appear in one episode of The Munsters as a friend of Eddie.

He guest-starred in I Dream of Jeannie in 1965. That same year, he was in another Bewitched episode, playing a young Darrin Stephens.

Bill Mumy with Brigitte Bardot in Dear Brigitte, 1965

Mumy starred in the movie Dear Brigitte (1965). He played Erasmus Leaf, a child genius who loves Brigitte Bardot. His parents, played by James Stewart and Glynis Johns, tried to help him with his obsession.

Lost in Space and Other Projects

From 1965 to 1968, Mumy played Will Robinson in Lost in Space. His character often received warnings like "Danger, Will Robinson" from the show's robot.

Mumy later starred in Bless the Beasts and Children (1971). He played Teft, a leader of teenage boys who try to save bison from hunters. He also played a musician in the TV movie Sunshine (1973). In 1974, Mumy appeared in the pilot episode of The Rockford Files. In 1988, he played a genius nephew, Dr. Irwin Bruckner, on Matlock.

In 1996, Mumy helped create Space Cases, a Nickelodeon TV show. It had similar themes to Lost in Space. From 1994 to 1998, he played Lennier in the sci-fi series Babylon 5. In 1998, he played Kellin, a Starfleet officer, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He was happy to play a human character this time. He did not like wearing the special makeup needed for his alien role in Babylon 5. Mumy also appeared in Crossing Jordan (2006) and the film A.I. Assault.

In 2018, Mumy appeared in the new Lost in Space series on Netflix. He played Dr. Z. Smith, a nod to the character from the original show.

Voice Acting Work

Mumy has narrated over 50 episodes of the Biography series for A&E. He has also hosted and narrated documentaries for Animal Planet, The Sci-Fi Channel, and E!. He has lent his voice to animated shows like Ren and Stimpy, Scooby-Doo, Batman: The Animated Series, and Steven Spielberg's Animaniacs. He also voiced characters in Bravest Warriors, The Oz Kids, and Disney's Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Doc McStuffins.

Mumy's voice can also be heard in commercials for companies like Farmers Insurance, Ford, and McDonald's.

Music Career

Mumy plays many instruments, including the banjo, bass, guitar, and harmonica. He has written and recorded songs with the band America. He has also toured with Shaun Cassidy. He played with Rick Springfield's band in the film Hard to Hold. He formed the band The Be Five with other Babylon 5 actors.

He and Marta Kristen sang "Sloop John B" in a Lost in Space episode.

Mumy has released several solo CDs, including Dying to Be Heard and Los Angeles Times. He also released nine albums with his music partner Robert Haimer as Barnes and Barnes. Their most famous song is "Fish Heads". Rolling Stone magazine called it one of the top 100 videos of all time. He also performs with the Jenerators, a blues-rock band. In 2017, he formed the Action Skulls with John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson. Their first CD, Angels Hear, was released in September 2017.

Mumy hosts The Real Good Radio Hour, a weekly show on KSAV Internet Radio. It focuses on different music styles and the artists who created them.

Lost in Space Activities in Later Years

Bill Mumy still attends Lost in Space reunions and events. In 2006, Mumy worked with Jonathan Harris one last time. Harris, who voiced the robot in Lost in Space, had recorded voice work for an animated short before he passed away. As a tribute, a scene was added that brought together Mumy, Marta Kristen, and Angela Cartwright as the animated Ratchett family.

Mumy appeared in two episodes of the 2018 Lost in Space series on Netflix. He played Dr. Zachary Smith, a character name that honors Jonathan Harris's role in the original show.

With Angela Cartwright, he co-wrote two books: Lost (and Found) in Space (2015) and Lost (and Found) in Space 2: Blast Off into the Expanded Edition (2021).

Other Creative Work

Mumy and co-author Peter David wrote a short story called "The Black '59" (1992). It was part of an anthology called Shock Rock.

He has also written several comic books. With his friend, the late Miguel Ferrer, Mumy created characters like Comet Man and Trypto the Acid Dog. They also co-wrote the Marvel Graphic Novel The Dreamwalker.

Personal Life

Bill Mumy married Eileen Joy Davis on October 9, 1986. They live in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. They have two children, Seth and Liliana.

Television and Filmography

Mumy in Dear Brigitte, 1965

See also

In Spanish: Bill Mumy para niños