The Greatest American Hero

The Greatest American Hero
Genre
Created byStephen J. Cannell
StarringWilliam Katt
Robert Culp
Connie Sellecca
Michael Paré
Faye Grant
Theme music composerMike Post
Stephen Geyer
Opening theme"Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)"
Performed by Joey Scarbury
ComposerMike Post
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes45 (5 unaired) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerStephen J. Cannell
ProducersJuanita Bartlett
Frank Lupo
Christopher Nelson
Jo Swerling Jr.
Production locationsSanta Clarita, California
Sun Valley, Los Angeles, California
Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California
Running time60 minutes (with commercials)
Production companyStephen J. Cannell Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMarch 18, 1981 (1981-03-18) –
February 3, 1983 (1983-02-03)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

The Greatest American Hero is an American comedy-drama superhero television series that aired on ABC.[1] Created by producer Stephen J. Cannell, it premiered as a two-hour pilot movie on March 18, 1981, and ran until February 2, 1983.[1] The series features William Katt as teacher Ralph Hinkley, Robert Culp as FBI agent Bill Maxwell, and Connie Sellecca as lawyer Pam Davidson.[1] The lead character's surname was temporarily changed to "Hanley" for a few months immediately after President Ronald Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. on March 30, 1981.

The series chronicles Ralph's adventures after a group of aliens gives him a red and black suit that grants him superhuman abilities. Unfortunately for Ralph, he must learn how to use the suit's powers by trial and error, often with comical results.

The theme song, sung by Joey Scarbury, was a hit when released as a single

  1. ^ a b c Erickson, Hal (2016). "The Greatest American Hero". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.