Bill Mumy and Barry Livingston have been lifelong friends

A friendship that remained for six decades

My Three Sons and Lost in Space remain favorite television shows for Baby Boomers who grew up watching them. Two cast members from these beloved series, Bill Mumy and Stanley Livingston, have revealed that they have remained lifelong friends. They also have not been involved in the scandals that have plagued other child stars.

On Facebook, Livingston shared a picture that included Mumy, Billy Gray, and John Provost. The caption said they had known each other for 65 years. Both Lost in Space (1965-1967) and My Three Sons (1960-1970) ran on CBS, so the boys probably got to know one another at the studios where the series were taped.

Bill Mumy's early rise to fame

Mumy was born Charles William Mumy on February 1, 1954, and began his career in 1960, at the age of six. He appeared in Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and several episodes of The Twilight Zone.

He is best known as Will Robinson from Lost in Space. As a teen, he was in the films Bless the Beasts and the Children and Rascal. He also appeared on the television series Babylon 5.

His last role is listed as Space Command Redemption in 2024. He is also a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. He was nominated for an EMMY for original music in Adventures in Wonderland (1992). Along with Angela Cartwright, who portrayed Penny Robinson, Mumy has traveled to Lost in Space conventions and happily greets his fans.

Barry Livingston's fantastic journey

Barry Gordon Livingston was born on December 17, 1953. Early in his career, he appeared in many television series, including The Lucy Show, The Dick VanDyke Show, Dragnet, and The Adventures of Ozzie andHarriet.

After My Three Sons ended in 1972, Livingston made appearances in Room 222 and The Streets of San Francisco. He portrayed Linus Vanpelt on stage in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He reprised the character in 1973, when the musical was adapted for television.

He continued working steadily in television, made-for-TV films, and movies in the 1970s and 1980s. This includes Simon & Simon, Sidewinder 1, Police Woman, Sidewinder 1 Simon & Simon, and 1st & Ten.

He also appeared in Broadway and Off-plays across the US, including Broadway and off-Broadway. In 1974, he appeared in a short-lived CBS series Sons and Daughters. He married his wife Eileen in 1985, and they have two children.

Livingston in later years

In 2007, Livingston appeared in Zodiac and starred in the Hallmark Channel movie Final Approach. He has also appeared in You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008), The Social Network (2010), Horrible Bosses (2011), and War Dogs (2016).[6]

In October 2011, Barry Livingston released his autobiography, The Importance of Being Ernie, and later appeared on episodes of Anger Management, Mad Men, Two and a Half Men, and The New Adventures of Old Christine.

His last role was in Bosh: Legacy in 2022. Barry Livingston is the only cast member of My Three Sons to still have an active Screen Actors Guild Card. He married his wife Karen in 1983, and they have two children.

Child Stars of the 70s and 80s

In the above picture are child actors Bill Mumy, Barry Livingston, Ron Howard (The Andy Griffith Show), Anissa Jones (Family Affair), Stanley Livingston (My Three Sons), Johnny Whitaker (Family Affair), and Clint Howard (Gentle Ben). Jones died on August 28, 1976 from an accidental drug overdose. Everyone else in the photo is alive and well.

Some actors don't like fans associating them with the roles that made them famous. Bill Mumy and Barry Livingston embrace the characters Will Robinson and Ernie Douglas to the delight of their fans. It's a bonus that these icons in the entertainment industry have remained friends for more than six decades.