logo
Wikimedia Commons/ CBS Television (PD)
Wikimedia Commons/ CBS Television (PD)

Late 'My Favorite Martian' Star Ray Walston Once Said He Hates the Show — inside His Life & Career

Odette Odendaal
Jul 26, 2020
01:30 P.M.

Award-winning actor Ray Walston became best known as "My Favorite Martian," coincidentally also the role he later wished he never heard of despite his overall career success.

Advertisement

When Ray Walston, who started acting in 1939, landed the role of the antenna sprouting alien Uncle Martin in the television classic "My Favorite Martian," it was the first show of its kind.

The sci-fi sitcom aired from 1963 until 1966, and it came well before similar shows such as "Bewitched," "The Munsters," and "The Addams Family," but Walston's role temporarily stunned his career to a standstill.

Ray Walston starring in "My Favorite Martian" in 1963. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Ray Walston starring in "My Favorite Martian" in 1963. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

When news broke that "My Favorite Martian" got cancelled, Walston couldn't be more pleased. He likened the experience on the show to that of being in prison, and finally felt "free" when it came to an end, as he said at the time:

“I’m delighted the show wasn’t continued. I felt as if I were going to the foundry every day. The work was grueling."

Advertisement

A few years before Uncle Martin hid from curious earthlings, Walston had an up and coming career that already brimmed with a Tony Award, as his role in Broadway's "Damn Yankees" in 1955 earned both him and the production critical acclaim.

Ray Walston in "My Favorite Martian." Source: Giphy.

Ray Walston in "My Favorite Martian." Source: Giphy.

However, after "My Favorite Martian," Walston struggled to land decent onscreen roles, and he returned to stage acting for several years before making his comeback in film and television. For this reason, Walston said in 1986 that he wished he "never heard of Martians and spaceships," and added:

"I hate that show; it nearly finished my career. If I’d known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have been involved with that show for anything.”

Advertisement
Pamela Britton and Ray Walston starring in "My Favorite Martian" in 1963. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Pamela Britton and Ray Walston starring in "My Favorite Martian" in 1963. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Walston also appeared in two films that earned Best Picture at the Academy Awards, as "The Apartment" earned the coveted award in 1960, followed by "The Sting" in 1973. It was almost another two decades before Walton returned to television.

In 1992, Walston landed the role of Judge Bone in the CBS drama "Picket Fences," and the role added to his awards collection with three Emmy nominations, of which he won twice, once in 1995 and again the following year.

Ray Walston in "My Favorite Martian" in 1963. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Ray Walston in "My Favorite Martian" in 1963. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Advertisement

Five years later, after a career that spanned six decades, Walston died at the age of 86 from natural causes while at his Beverly Hills home. His wife of almost 60 years, Ruth Calvert, survived Walston, along with their daughter Katherine Ann Walston.

Relatedly, Bill Bixby, who starred alongside Walston in "My Favorite Martian," also had an interesting life before he passed from prostate cancer on November 21, 1993.

Bill Bixby in "My Favorite Martian" in 1965. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Bill Bixby in "My Favorite Martian" in 1965. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

While Bixby also became known for his role in "The Incredible Hulk" back in 1977, he later drifted into directing and worked on films including, "Sledge Hammer," "Wizard and Warriors," and "Goodnight, Beantown."

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Sam Elliott's Daughter & His Wife Are Best Friends despite Previous Conflicts – Inside Their Relationship

February 15, 2024

Joanne Woodward Turns 94: Inside Her Private Life after Retreating from Public Eye Due to Alzheimer's

February 29, 2024

Joyce Bulifant Learned She Had Disorder in Her 40s – Decades Later, She Is Still a ‘Lovely Lady’ Enjoying Family Life

December 20, 2023

Veteran Actor Joss Ackland Dead: He Passed ‘Peacefully’ & Remained ‘Mischievous to the Very End’

November 20, 2023

Wayne Newton Welcomed His Rarely Seen Daughter Long after He Lost All His Money – Photos of His Beautiful Lady

February 06, 2024

Donna Mills 'Lucked Out' When She Met Her Partner of over 2 Decades – Now They Enjoy Life as Farmers

December 14, 2023

‘Criminal Minds’ Special Agent David Rossi Raised His Autistic Daughter with Wife of 48 Years: ‘She’s Wonderful’

November 10, 2023

How the Lives of the Main Cast of 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' Evolved in over Three Decades

December 06, 2023

'Family Ties': What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series

November 11, 2023

Jennifer Grey Was Married to Clark Gregg for 19 Years and Share a Child — She Cried When They Separated

November 25, 2023

Mariska Hargitay, Mom of 3, Has Been Slammed for Getting ‘Fat’ Yet Loves Her ‘Curves’ & Beams in Form-Fitting Dress

February 16, 2024

Dean Martin’s Wife Died Only a Few Weeks after Their Second Son Was Found Dead at His Home

December 21, 2023

Guy Fieri Will Not Hand over Fortune to His Kids Unless They Meet His Condition – Details

December 20, 2023

'Friends' Star David Schwimmer Has One Daughter, 12, Who Shaved Her Head & Called Herself Vegetarian

November 05, 2023