Bruce Bilson (Dead Man On The Run, The Brady 500), the Emmy-winning television director known for his work on classic sitcoms including Get Smart, Hogan’s Heroes, and Barney Miller, has died at the age of 97, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bilson’s daughter, producer Julie Bilson Ahlberg (Dreamscape, Zone Troopers), confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Friday, January 16, 2026.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Bilson’s career spanned more than five decades, during which he helped shape the tone and structure of American television comedy. He directed numerous episodes of popular series throughout the 1960s and 1970s, a period widely regarded as a defining era for network sitcoms.
In 1968, Bilson won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for the Get Smart episode “Maxwell Smart, Private Eye,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The award marked one of the most significant milestones of his career and cemented his reputation as a director with strong comedic instincts and technical precision.
Beyond Get Smart, The Hollywood Reporter notes that Bilson directed episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Bewitched, M*A*S*H, and The Brady Bunch. His work spanned comedy, drama, and variety programming, demonstrating his versatility and enduring demand in the television industry.
Bilson began his career in the 1950s as a second assistant director on an anthology series, then transitioned to directing network television. Over time, he became a trusted collaborator for producers seeking strong pacing, ensemble coordination, and character-focused storytelling.
Bilson is survived by his daughter, Julie, his son, Danny Bilson (Viper, Trancers), a screenwriter and producer, and his granddaughter, Rachel Bilson (How I Met Your Mother, Accused), known for her television roles on The O.C. and Hart of Dixie. He is also survived by his wife, Renne Jarrett, whom he married in 1984.
Bilson’s passing marks the end of one of television’s longest-running directing careers. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, his contributions remain closely tied to the development of classic American sitcoms, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence television storytelling.