RIP Bruce Bilson

 

Beloved Director of ‘Get Smart,’ ‘Andy Griffith Show’ Dead at 97

Bilson was part of a four-generation Hollywood family.

Parade

By Kayla Aldecoa

January 21, 2026

 

Bruce Bilson, perhaps best known as the director of iconic 1960s television series such as Get Smart and The Andy Griffith Show, has died at the age of 97.

Bilson died at his home in Los Angeles on Friday, January 16, his daughter Julie Bilson Ahlberg confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

The beloved director was a part of a four-generation Hollywood family, which includes daughter Julie, producer of The Fog of War, granddaughter Rachel Bilson, known for The O.C. and Hart of Dixie, and son Danny Bilson, screenwriter for The Rocketeer and Da Five Bloods.

After graduating from UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 1950, Bilson would go on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the third season Get Smart.

In addition to Get Smart and The Andy Griffith Show, Bilson worked with Desilu productions on numerous occasions, directed shows such as Gidget and Hogan’s Heroes.

His lengthy filmography also includes classics like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat, Wonder Woman and The Odd Couple.

BILSON, Bruce (Bruce Leonard Bilson)

Born: 5/19/1928, New York City, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 1/16/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Bruce Bilson’s westerns – director:

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (TV) – 1957, 1958

U.S. Marshal (TV) – 1958, 1959

The Texan (TV) – 1959

Bonanza (TV) - 1970

Alias Smith and Jones (TV) - 1972

Dusty’s Trail (TV) – 1973, 1974

Barbary Coast (TV) – 1975

The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe (TV) - 1976

The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West – 1976