The Greatest American Hero Trivia Facts

The Greatest American Hero

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Ralph's surname was changed near the end of the first season from Hinkley to Hanley because of the name's negative connection with 'John Hinckley' (the man who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan (I) on March 30, 1981). Ralph's last name was changed back to Hinkley in the first episode of Season 2 ('The Two Hundred Mile an Hour Fastball'), after the furor over his name subsided. Interestingly enough, the unaired 1986 "Greatest American Heroine" pilot includes a scene in which Ralph Hinkley meets the President of the United States (who was still Ronald Reagan in real-life 1986).
Ralph's name was changed back to Hinkley during the second season after the furor over his last name died down.
The unsuccessful pilot for a spin-off series, "The Greatest American Heroine", produced in 1986, screens as the final episode in syndication.
Although DC Comics tried to sue the producers for copying Superman, the show's premise is closer to that of another DC Comics character, Green Lantern, who was given a power ring by an alien to become a superhero.
In March 2002, plans were reportedly underway at Disney to make a feature film of the TV series.
Ralph's son Kevin was only seen occasionally during the first season and was phased out as the show went on.
William Katt's real life mother, Barbara Hale, played Ralph's mother Paula Hinkley in a few episodes.
Connie Sellecca was rarely seen during the second season due to her real-life pregnancy.
Bill was kidnapped a total of eight times and was shot five times. Pam was kidnapped six times.
According to Stephen J. Cannell, the emblem on the suit (and also on the clothing of the aliens) was inspired by the square-handled scissors on Cannell's desk.
In the pilot when Ralph is taken to a mental hospital wearing his super outfit, a man tells him, "That's a bad suit, Jim!" A similar line ("Say Jim, that's a bad out-FIT!") was said to Christopher Reeve in Superman (1978) movie.
The series was parodied in an episode of "Robot Chicken" (2005), "Yancy the Yo-Yo Boy".
Often known as "the other Lone Ranger" to Clayton Moore (I)'s definitive portrayal, John Hart (I) nonetheless did fill the role for 52 episodes in 1952-53 while Moore was furloughed. In addition to reprising his role here, Hart again played the Lone Ranger a year later in the "Hi-Yo Fonzie" episode of Happy Days (1974).
William Katt's real mother, actress Barbara Hale plays Ralph's fictional mother Paula Hanley.

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