Bill Bixby as The Magician first aired today in 1973

 Many viewers remember Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner from The Incredible Hulk. But did you know he also starred as a professional magician in a 1970s television series?

On October 2, 1973, NBC aired the first regular episode of The Magician, with Bixby playing Anthony “Tony” Blake. The character was a stage magician who used his skills to help solve crimes. The series pilot had aired earlier that year, before the regular episodes began.

The opening episode, “The Manhunters,” follows Tony as he investigates a threat against a writer friend. The story takes him into an illegal gambling operation, where his card and dice handling helps him get closer to the truth. It’s a fun example of a television detective using the tools of a magician—observation, misdirection, and showmanship—as part of the story.

The series ran during the 1973–74 television season, bringing a magician’s life and skills into a weekly crime drama. Its premise offered viewers something different: instead of a magician appearing briefly as a guest or performing a trick between scenes, the magician was the main character.

More than 50 years later, The Magician remains an interesting piece of television history for magic fans. It’s a reminder that the art of magic has long inspired stories beyond the stage.