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Bruce Bilson

Bruce Bilson

Director, also producer · Died January 16, 2026, aged 97 · New York City, New York, USA

Bruce Bilson (May 19, 1928 – January 16, 2026) was an American film and television director. He is most notable for his work as a regular director on the spy spoof Get Smart. He won the 1967–1968 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the third season Get Smart episode "Maxwell Smart, Private Eye". Description above from the Wikipedia article Bruce Bilson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 19, 1928
Died
January 16, 2026 (aged 97)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Director, also producer
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 103 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 27% in 30 days

What are Bruce Bilson's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
27%
Bonds
26%
Morality
20%
Self
12%
Power
12%
Survival
2%
Community4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 6 · Serious 0 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 1 · Intense 0

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 4

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
5
Warm
4
Absurd
3
Tense
2
Hopeful
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Bruce Bilson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (17).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Bruce Bilson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

103 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page.

  • 24 Behind the Scenes: The Editing Process (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • Love Boat: The Next Wave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Pensacola: Wings of Gold(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • The Sentinel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 10 episodes · Director

  • Deadly Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • One West Waikiki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Viper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Human Target (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Torkelsons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • P.S. I Luv U (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Dinosaurs(1991)

    Show 17 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • They Came from Outer Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Flash(1990)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Hull High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Bradys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Nutt House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Nightingales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Sledge Hammer!(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Life with Lucy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Colbys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Spenser: For Hire(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Gidget's Summer Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Finder of Lost Loves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Glitter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Chattanooga Choo Choo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Just Our Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Bring 'Em Back Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Powers of Matthew Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 20 episodes · Director

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Fall Guy(1981)

    Show 9 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Private Benjamin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • Aloha Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Harper Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Ghosts of Buxley Hall(1980)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Too Close for Comfort(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Skag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • House Calls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • The Halloween That Almost Wasn't (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • B. J. and the Bear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • The North Avenue Irregulars(1979)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Delta House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders(1979)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Pleasure Cove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • B.J. and the Bear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Dallas(1978)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Quark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Tabitha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Feather And Father Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Spencer's Pilots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Alice(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Matt Helm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • When Things Were Rotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Barbary Coast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Dead Man on the Run(1975)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • S.W.A.T.(1975)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 10 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped(1974)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Six Million Dollar Man(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Dusty's Trail(1973)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Paul Lynde Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Temperatures Rising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Sanford and Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Alias Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Barefoot in the Park (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Odd Couple(1970)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Nanny and the Professor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 27 episodes · Director

  • The Brady Bunch(1969)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 9 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Blondie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Doris Day Show(1968)

    Show 12 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn(1968)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • That Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Get Smart(1965)

    Show 22 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Camp Runamuck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Hogan's Heroes(1965)

    Show 24 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Gidget(1965)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Green Acres(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Bewitched(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • One Potato, Two Potato(1964)

    Assistant Director

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Patty Duke Show(1963)

    Show 12 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Andy Griffith Show(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · Assistant Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Too Soon to Love(1960)

    Assistant Director

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • University U.S.A. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Director · Writer

Career shape

A full career of 103 titles from 1950 to 2006.

Highest rated

The North Avenue Irregulars (1979)

Midcredits 73rd

Most popular right now

The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1968)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing100 of 103: 98 only directing, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thWriting1 of 103: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 103: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew3 of 103: 3 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1950s2 · crew1960s18 · crew1970s40 · crew1980s26 · crew1990s16 · crew2000s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Bruce Bilson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 39th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · director

The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West (1976)

81st percentile spread · 63% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

M*A*S*H (1972)

Midcredits 95th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the pacing 35/100 in their films, across 3 reviewed titles; fans 47, detractors 23. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Bruce Bilson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Bruce Bilson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Earl Bellamy shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers