"There was such variety in the opportunities of playing all these different characters. The sick kid on Ben Casey, the evil mutant in The Twilight Zone, the little brat in Bewitched. It was a great opportunity to learn a craft, even if you're a little kid and you're not thinking about learning a craft."

    About This Interview

    In his nearly five-hour interview, Bill Mumy discusses his early years in television, recalling roles on live shows and series like National Velvet. He describes acting in three different episodes of the classic anthology series The Twilight Zone, including "It's a Good Life", which is generally regarded as one of the series' very best. He recounts his less-than-ideal experience working with Alfred Hitchcock on Alfred Hitchcock Presents in the classic episode "Bang, You're Dead." Mumy then details his three-year run as "Will Robinson" on the science fiction series Lost in Space, discussing the evolution of the show from serious space drama to camp and sharing what it was like to be, along with Jonathan Harris as "Dr. Smith," the breakout star of the show. He talks about playing "Lennier" on Babylon 5 and speaks to the unusual amount of input he had in creating the character and the character's story arcs. Mumy describes the children's series he created for Nickelodeon, Space Cases, and concludes by discussing the novelty song "Fish Heads" from his band Barnes and Barnes, which premiered on Saturday Night Live in 1980. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on September 3, 2013 in North Hollywood, CA. 

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Bill Mumy

    Bill Mumy on his experiences with NASA and schooling on the set of Lost in Space

    03:25
    Thumbnail of Bill Mumy

    Bill Mumy on "Will Robinson's" relationship with "Dr. Smith" on Lost in Space

    01:00
    Thumbnail of Bill Mumy

    Bill Mumy on his attempt to launch a Lost in Space reunion show

    05:22
    Thumbnail of Bill Mumy

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone  episode "It's a Good Life"

    14:03
    Thumbnail of Bill Mumy

    Bill Mumy on the process of putting on the make-up for "Lennier" on Babylon 5

    02:41
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on his interests growing up; on his early primetime television work

    14:12

    On acting in live television; on appearing on the series National Velvet; on his acting style

    16:55

    On his education on the set; on his commercial work

    08:20

    On acting in the Twilight Zone episode "Long Distance Call"; on acting in the Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life"; on acting in the Twilight Zone episode "In Praise of Pip"

    22:13

    Chapter 2

    On acting in Alfred Hitchcock Presents

    14:09

    On working with Lucille Ball on Desilu Playhouse; on turning down the role of "Eddie" on The Munsters; on appearing on Bewitched, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and I Dream of Jeannie

    18:52

    On getting the role of "Will Robinson" on Lost in Space; on working with Guy Williams and Irwin Allen on Lost in Space; on the plot and tone of the show

    13:05

    On his experiences with NASA and schooling on the set of Lost in Space; on his Lost in Space character "Will Robinson"

    12:21

    Chapter 3

    On the wardrobe of Lost in Space; on playing guitar and singing on Lost in Space; on a typical production week for the show

    19:13

    On the special effects of Lost in Space; on the robot on Lost in Space; on the show focusing on "Will Robinson" and "Dr. Smith"

    15:12

    On working with Guy Williams and June Lockhart on Lost in Space

    10:27

    On working with Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, and Angela Cartwright on Lost in Space

    13:29

    Chapter 4

    On "Will Robinson's" relationship with "Dr. Smith" on Lost in Space and "Debbie the Bloop"; on doing promotion for Lost in Space and his public image; on his favorite episode of the show and his efforts to launch a Lost in Space reunion

    16:21

    On various post- Lost in Space projects; on guest-starring on The Rockford Files; on his Emmy nomination for writing the music for Adventures in Wonderland

    12:22

    On being cast as "Lennier" on Babylon 5; on the make-up process of becoming "Lennier" on Babylon 5; on the development of "Lennier" on the show

    19:08

    On the story arc of his Babylon 5 character "Lennier"; on the atmosphere on the set of Babylon 5

    10:47

    Chapter 5

    On the experience of filming Babylon 5; on the fans of Babylon 5; on the legacy of the show

    11:44

    On doing voiceover for the series Biography; on his children's series, Space Cases

    12:50

    On guest-starring on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; on his novelty song "Fish Heads" and his music career

    12:51

    On his proudest achievements and regrets; on where he sees himself in the future

    13:39

    Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet, The

    Bill Mumy on appearing on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

    04:46

    Adventures of Superman

    Bill Mumy on his interests growing up

    04:58

    Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

    Bill Mumy on acting in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Bang, You're Dead"

    14:09

    Babylon 5

    Bill Mumy on being cast on Babylon 5

    04:43

    Bill Mumy on accepting the role of "Lennier" on Babylon 5 

    06:10

    Bill Mumy on the process of putting on the make-up for "Lennier" on Babylon 5

    02:41

    Bill Mumy on the development of his Babylon 5 character "Lennier"

    05:34

    Bill Mumy on the story arc of his Babylon 5 character "Lennier"

    06:07

    Bill Mumy on his "Lennier" costume and the atmosphere on the set of Babylon 5

    04:40

    Bill Mumy on the experience of filming and his favorite season of Baylon 5

    03:14

    Bill Mumy on the fans of Babylon 5

    06:42

    Bill Mumy on the legacy of Babylon 5

    01:48

    Bewitched

    Bill Mumy on appearing on Bewitched

    03:04

    Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

    Bill Mumy on writing music for Adventures in Wonderland and his Emmy nomination

    04:42

    I Dream of Jeannie

    Bill Mumy on appearing on I Dream of Jeannie

    01:55

    Loretta Young Show, The

    Bill Mumy on acting on The Loretta Young Show

    02:59

    Lost in Space

    Bill Mumy on his Lost in Space character "Will Robinson"

    01:59

    Bill Mumy on the wardrobe of Lost in Space

    04:03

    Bill Mumy on his interest in playing music and playing his guitar on Lost in Space

    03:38

    Bill Mumy on what it was like on the set of Lost in Space and a typical production week

    09:33

    Bill Mumy on the special effects of Lost in Space

    02:24

    Bill Mumy on the robot on Lost in Space

    06:09

    Bill Mumy on the focal point of Lost in Space shifting from the family to "Will Robinson" and "Dr. Smith"

    06:39

    Bill Mumy on working with Guy Williams as "John Robinson" on Lost in Space

    06:03

    Bill Mumy on working with June Lockhart as "Maureen Robinson" on Lost in Space

    04:24

    Bill Mumy on working with Mark Goddard as "Don West" on Lost in Space

    04:25

    Bill Mumy on working with Marta Kristen as "Judy Robinson" on Lost in Space

    03:57

    Bill Mumy on working with Angela Cartwright as "Penny Robinson" on Lost in Space

    05:03

    Bill Mumy on "Will Robinson's" relationship with "Dr. Smith" on Lost in Space

    01:00

    Bill Mumy on "Debbie the Bloop" on Lost in Space

    02:54

    Bill Mumy on doing promotion for Lost in Space

    02:32

    Bill Mumy on "Will Robinson" and his public image

    03:26

    Bill Mumy on his favorite Lost in Space episode 

    01:03

    Bill Mumy on his attempt to launch a Lost in Space reunion show

    05:22

    Bill Mumy on being cast as "Will Robinson" in Lost in Space

    04:54

    Bill Mumy on working with Guy Williams and Irwin Allen on Lost in Space

    03:42

    Bill Mumy on the plot and tone of Lost in Space

    04:29

    Bill Mumy on his experiences with NASA and schooling on the set of Lost in Space

    03:25

    Bill Mumy on his Lost in Space character "Will Robinson"

    08:55

    Munsters, The

    Bill Mumy on turning down a role on The Munsters

    03:03

    Riverboat

    Bill Mumy on his early primetime television work

    00:52

    Rockford Files, The

    Bill Mumy on guest-starring on The Rockford Files

    03:37

    Romper Room

    Bill Mumy on his interests growing up

    04:58

    Saturday Night Live

    Bill Mumy on his music career and the novelty song "Fish Heads"

    05:13

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

    Bill Mumy on appearing on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

    07:38

    Twilight Zone, The

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone episode "Long Distance Call"

    04:40

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life"

    14:03

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the Twilight Zone episode "In Praise of Pip"

    03:30

    Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

    Bill Mumy on working with Lucille Ball on Desilu Playhouse

    02:55

    Zorro

    Bill Mumy on his interests growing up

    04:58

    Advertising and Sponsorship

    Bill Mumy on doing commercials 

    02:05

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Bill Mumy on his Lost in Space character "Will Robinson"

    08:55

    Classic TV Series Episodes

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone  episode "It's a Good Life"

    14:03

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone  episode "Long Distance Call"

    04:40

    Emmy Awards

    Bill Mumy on writing music for Adventures in Wonderland and on his Emmy nomination

    04:42

    Pop Culture

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone  episode "It's a Good Life"

    14:03

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone  episode "Long Distance Call"

    04:40

    Bill Mumy on his Lost in Space character "Will Robinson"

    08:55

    Television Industry

    Bill Mumy on doing commercials 

    02:05

    TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

    Bill Mumy on acting on The Twilight Zone

    22:13

    Actor

    Bill Mumy on the kinds of roles he got as a child actor and his acting style

    07:26

    Performers

    Bill Mumy on the kinds of roles he got as a child actor and his acting style

    07:26

    Classic Anthology Series

    Bill Mumy on acting on The Twilight Zone

    22:13

    Bill Mumy on acting in Alfred Hitchcock Presents

    14:09

    Commercials

    Bill Mumy on doing commercials

    02:05

    Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

    Bill Mumy on playing "Will Robinson" on Lost in Space (Part Two)

    58:21

    Bill Mumy on playing "Will Robinson" on Lost in Space (Part Three) 

    16:21

    Bill Mumy on playing "Lennier" on Babylon 5  (Part One)

    29:55

    Bill Mumy on playing "Lennier" on Babylon 5 (Part Two)

    11:44

    Bill Mumy on playing "Will Robinson" on Lost in Space  (Part One)

    25:26

    Irwin Allen

    Bill Mumy on being cast as "Will Robinson" on Lost in Space

    04:54

    Bill Mumy on working with Guy Williams and Irwin Allen on Lost in Space

    03:42

    Lucille Ball

    Bill Mumy on working with Lucille Ball on Desilu Playhouse

    02:55

    James Garner

    Bill Mumy on guest-starring on The Rockford Files

    03:39

    Jonathan Harris

    Bill Mumy on what it was like on the set of Lost in Space and a typical production week

    09:33

    Bill Mumy on the focal point of Lost in Space  shifting from the family to "Will Robinson" and "Dr. Smith"

    06:39

    Alfred Hitchcock

    Bill Mumy on acting in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Bang, You're Dead"

    14:09

    Cloris Leachman

    Billy Mumy on acting on The Loretta Young Show

    02:59

    June Lockhart

    Bill Mumy on working with June Lockhart as "Maureen Robinson" on Lost in Space

    04:24

    Rod Serling

    Bill Mumy on appearing in the classic Twilight Zone episode "Long Distance Call"

    04:40

    Jimmy Stewart

    Bill Mumy on being cast as "Will Robinson" on Lost in Space

    04:54

    Loretta Young

    Bill Mumy on acting on The Loretta Young Show

    02:59

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