Bruce Bilson

Director Bruce Bilson was born the son of screenwriter, producer, and director George Bilson. The family business continues: Bilson's son Danny also has credits as a writer, director, and producer, and his granddaughter Rachel Bilson is an actress best known for her role on the popular prime time soap opera "The O.C.." Bilson began his career in the 1950s as second unit director and assistant director on various television series, including the classic drama "The Andy Griffith Show." He made the leap to director in 1965, directing episodes of popular series like the sitcoms "The Patty Duke Show" and "Gidget." From there, he went on to direct a number of high profile series including the espionage comedy "Get Smart" (for which he won an Emmy in 1968), the war comedy "Hogan's Heroes," and the sitcom "The Odd Couple." In 2005, Bilson capped his lengthy career as a director of over 100 titles, by producing a behind-the-scenes DVD series on the production of popular shows called "Journeys Below the Line." He retired in 2007.