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The Greatest American Hero

  • TV Series
  • 1981–1983
  • TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,724
608
The Greatest American Hero (1981)
Home Video Extra (Clip) from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:01
5 Videos
99+ Photos
AdventureComedySci-Fi

A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.

  • Creator
    • Stephen J. Cannell
  • Stars
    • William Katt
    • Connie Sellecca
    • Robert Culp
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    6.1K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,724
    608
    • Creator
      • Stephen J. Cannell
    • Stars
      • William Katt
      • Connie Sellecca
      • Robert Culp
    • 83User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys
      • 1 win & 8 nominations total

    Episodes44

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos5

    The Greatest American Hero: Season Two
    Clip 2:00
    Watch The Greatest American Hero: Season Two
    The Greatest American Hero: Season Two
    Clip 1:45
    Watch The Greatest American Hero: Season Two
    The Greatest American Hero: Season Three
    Trailer 2:01
    Watch The Greatest American Hero: Season Three
    The Greatest American Hero: Season One
    Trailer 3:11
    Watch The Greatest American Hero: Season One
    The Greatest American Hero: Season 2
    Trailer 1:45
    Watch The Greatest American Hero: Season 2

    Photos155

    William Katt in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    William Katt and Robert Culp in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    Dennis Lipscomb in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    Connie Sellecca in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    William Katt and Connie Sellecca in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    Connie Sellecca in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    William Katt in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    William Bogert in The Greatest American Hero (1981)
    William Katt in The Greatest American Hero (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Katt
    William Katt
    • Ralph Hinkley
    Connie Sellecca
    Connie Sellecca
    • Pam Davidson…
    Robert Culp
    Robert Culp
    • Bill Maxwell
    Michael Paré
    Michael Paré
    • Tony Villicana
    Faye Grant
    Faye Grant
    • Rhonda Blake
    Jesse D. Goins
    Jesse D. Goins
    • Cyler Johnson
    Don Cervantes
    • Paco Rodriguez
    William Bogert
    William Bogert
    • Les Carlisle…
    Paul Carafotes
    Paul Carafotes
    • Joey…
    Deborah Mays
    • Tammy
    Edward Michael Bell
    • Principal Knight…
    Robert Weaver
    Robert Weaver
    • Coach Ray Buck
    Brandon Williams
    • Kevin Hinkley
    Glenn R. Wilder
    Glenn R. Wilder
    • Capt. Franklin…
    James Whitmore Jr.
    • Byron Bigsby…
    Anthony Charnota
    • Mike…
    Red West
    Red West
    • Charley…
    Eugene Peterson
    • Clarence Carter…
    • Creator
      • Stephen J. Cannell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      William Katt's real-life mother, Barbara Hale, played Ralph's mother Paula Hinkley in the second-season episode "Who's Woo in America".
    • Quotes

      Ralph Hinkley: It's a bird. It's a plane. It's...

      [chuckles]

      Ralph Hinkley: Ralph Hinkley.

    • Crazy credits
      Throughout the show's production, save for the original pilot, the copyright disclaimer toward the end of each episode's credits had an error, spelling the name of the United States as "THE UNTED STATES"
    • Alternate versions
      In 1986, three years after the series ended, a pilot film entitled "The Greatest American Heroine" was produced which reunited the original series cast. The pilot was not broadcast, so the film was reedited as an episode of "Greatest American Hero" (complete with original opening credits) for syndication. It was also included on the 2005 DVD release.
    • Connections
      Featured in I Love the '80s: 1981 (2002)

    User reviews83

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    The superhero who couldn't fly straight
    I really wish this show was done today, because I just watched it on DVD, and found it incredibly entertaining, and very funny. The story begins with Ralph Hinkley(William Katt) a high school teacher, is lured out in the dessert, comes across FBI Agent Bill Maxwell(Robert Culp) and they are approached by a UFO, and is told they must work together as a team, they give Ralph a suit that has magical powers whenever he wears it. The funny part comes when Ralph loses the instruction book on how to use the suit, he keeps getting in trouble, because he does not use the power too well. But he seems to make the best out of the bad situation. I enjoyed the show, I still wish it was made today.
    helpful•26
    1
    • hcalderon1
    • Apr 24, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 18, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Titta, han flyger
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Stephen J. Cannell Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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