I always wondered why in the comics The Hulk's real identity was Bruce Banner, but in the Incredible Hulk series, he was named David Banner. Somebody had said to me that Bill Bixby was fearful that the name "Bruce" sounded too "gay." He insisted the name be changed. Hence, David came about. Is this true?

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From Wikipedia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Hulk_%28TV_series%29

Johnson changed the name of the Hulk's comic book alter ego, Dr. (Robert) Bruce Banner, to Dr. David Banner for the TV series. This change was made, according to Johnson, because he did not want the series to be perceived as a comic book series, so he wanted to change what he felt was a staple of comic books, and Stan Lee's comics in particular, that major characters frequently had alliterative names.[9] According to Lou Ferrigno, it was also changed because CBS thought the name Bruce sounded "too gay-ish," a rationale that Ferrigno thought was "the most absurd, ridiculous thing I'd ever heard."[10]

...didn't want Banner to be referred to as "Bruce" for television, but Marvel Comics insisted that name be retained. So, a compromise was reached- on TV, his full name was "David Bruce Banner", but Johnson rarely used the "middle name" in the scripts.

:tv:

...didn't want Banner to be referred to as "Bruce" for television, but Marvel Comics insisted that name be retained. So, a compromise was reached- on TV, his full name was "David Bruce Banner", but Johnson rarely used the "middle name" in the scripts.

:tv:

Source?

That name didn't bother Adam West.

Interesting, so Bruce was considered a "gay" name in the 70's? That is so stupid! I actually thought Bill Bixby was gay. It certainly doesn't matter what his orientation was, just thought that.

The Name David Bruce Banner was seen in the opening credits when David was visiting his grave.

Of course this was all before Bruce Willis became famous.

this been on my mind to sorry to be off topic,but is this true that i think it was Bill Bixby,almost quit the Incredible Hulk.because he was being Bullied by Bullies in an alley and they keept expecting him to become the Incredible Hulk cause of the show he was on.

Interesting, so Bruce was considered a "gay" name in the 70's? That is so stupid! I actually thought Bill Bixby was gay. It certainly doesn't matter what his orientation was, just thought that.

For the record: Bill Bixby was married three times and had a son by his first wife, actress Brenda Benet (who guest starred in the episode "The Psychic").

For the record: Bill Bixby was married three times and had a son by his first wife, actress Brenda Benet (who guest starred in the episode "The Psychic").
Bill Bixby was going through some sad times during The Incredible Hulk too. His 6 year old son died unexpectedly in 1981 and his ex-wife Brenda Benet committed suicide in 1982.

Remember the opening title, where David looks at his own grave [from the two-hour pilot episode], 'Zoneboy'? It read, "David Bruce Banner".

:tv:

My mom wanted to name me Bruce. I've thanked my dad on many occasions for talking her into naming me David instead. :lol:

My mom wanted to name me Bruce. I've thanked my dad on many occasions for talking her into naming me David instead. :lol:


You would have had the nickname "BRUCIE" as a little boy:lol: :lol: :lol:

You would have had the nickname "BRUCIE" as a little boy:lol: :lol: :lol:

I'd rather be Davy than Brucie! :lol:

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And let's not forget another famous Bruce. Bruce Lee. I never thought his name sounded gay. I don't recall anyone ever saying it was either.

I was too young back then to know if there were any connotations to the name "Bruce". I know both Batman and the Hulk were both "Bruce" in the comics. I would have guessed that was the reason had I ever even thought about it.

I was too young back then to know if there were any connotations to the name "Bruce". I know both Batman and the Hulk were both "Bruce" in the comics. I would have guessed that was the reason had I ever even thought about it.

They could've easily called "Bruce" "Robert" on the TV series, since in the comics, "Bruce" is actually his middle name.

I thought it was David.

Of course this was all before Bruce Willis became famous.

Or Bruce Lee...oh no wait, he was famous then.

Another story I read someplace was that even Stan Lee found the networks reluctance of not using "Bruce" ridiculous that he gave examples of celebrities such as Bruce Springsteen and Bruce Jenner (who knew, right?) who were popular at the time.

...didn't want Banner to be referred to as "Bruce" for television, but Marvel Comics insisted that name be retained. So, a compromise was reached- on TV, his full name was "David Bruce Banner", but Johnson rarely used the "middle name" in the scripts.Pretty bloody stupid making a big deal out of that!!