Action Packed Facts About the Six Million Dollar Man

The Six Million Dollar Man was a popular American television series that aired from 1974 to 1978. It followed the adventures of astronaut Steve Austin, played by Lee Majors, who was rebuilt with bionic body parts after a horrific accident. Here are some action-packed facts about the show:

1. The Six Million Dollar Man was based on a novel titled “Cyborg” by Martin Caidin. The novel was later adapted into a TV movie, which served as the pilot for the series.
2. In the TV movie, the character of Steve Austin was a former astronaut and test pilot who suffered a crash that left him with several injuries. In the series, he was a former astronaut and Air Force Colonel.
3. The iconic opening sequence of the show featured a voiceover that said, “We can rebuild him. We have the technology.” This line became a catchphrase for the show and is still remembered today.
4. The sound effect used for Steve Austin’s bionic eye was created by recording the sound of a dentist’s drill.
5. Lee Majors was not the first choice to play Steve Austin. The role was initially offered to actor Monte Markham, but he turned it down.
6. The character of Oscar Goldman, played by Richard Anderson, was created specifically for the TV series. He was not a part of the original novel or the TV movie.
7. The Six Million Dollar Man spawned a spin-off series titled The Bionic Woman, which aired from 1976 to 1978. It starred actress Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, a woman who was also given bionic body parts after a near-fatal accident.
8. The Six Million Dollar Man was a ratings success during its run, and Lee Majors became one of the highest-paid actors on TV at the time.
9. The show featured several notable guest stars, including Farrah Fawcett, Evel Knievel, and Andre the Giant.
10. In the fifth season of the show, the title was changed to The Bionic Man, and the show shifted its focus to Steve Austin’s life as a secret agent.
11. Lee Majors performed many of his own stunts on the show, including the famous slow-motion running scenes.
12. The sound effect used for Steve Austin’s bionic arm was created by recording the sound of a car door closing.
13. The show was known for its use of slow-motion shots, which were used to highlight Steve Austin’s bionic abilities.
14. The Six Million Dollar Man was cancelled in 1978 after five seasons, but the character of Steve Austin continued to appear in TV movies and crossover episodes of other shows.
15. A reboot of The Six Million Dollar Man, titled The Six Billion Dollar Man, has been in development for several years. Actor Mark Wahlberg is set to star in the lead role, and the movie is currently scheduled for release in 2023.

The Six Million Dollar Man was a groundbreaking TV series that captured the imaginations of viewers around the world. Its use of special effects and iconic sound effects, combined with Lee Majors’ charismatic performance, helped make it a beloved classic of the action-adventure genre.