The Six Million Dollar Man

Mainstreamed cyborg adventure for family hour; merchandising and spin-off gold.

Why it matters

Episode guide

101 episodes across 5 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.

At a glance

We can rebuild him — better, stronger, faster. Lee Majors's Steve Austin, a barely surviving astronaut turned bionic federal operative, slow-mo'd through ABC's The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978), from Martin Caidin's Cyborg. Sound-effect runs and telescopic zoom vision made disability-as-superpower a kids' gateway drug. Oscar Goldman gave the missions; Jamie Sommers waited in the wings for her own show. Action TV found its most whistled upgrade path.

Network & studio

• ABC — broadcast network
• American Broadcasting Company — production studio

Why watch now

Pure 1970s high-concept action — iconic effects language and Majors's stoic center. The origin of a whole bionic franchise moment.

Cultural impact

The series minted bionics as pop science mythology and made slow-motion action a national joke and joy. It spawned The Bionic Woman and a merchandise empire. Few openings are as quotable as that rebuild monologue.

Creators

Kenneth Johnson

Key cast

• Lee Majors as Col. Steve Austin
• Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman
• Martin E. Brooks as Dr. Rudy Wells
• Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers

Flash facts

• ABC action series based on Martin Caidin's novel Cyborg; aired 1974–1978.
• Starred Lee Majors as Col. Steve Austin.
• Richard Anderson played Oscar Goldman, Austin's OSI superior.
• Famous for slow-motion bionic action and distinctive sound design.
• Led directly to the spin-off The Bionic Woman.

FAQ

Back to the decade

More from the 1970s — Relevance Goes Prime Time. All shows.