The Greatest American Hero (1981)
A teacher accidentally becomes a superhero after aliens hand him a powerful suit — and he immediately loses the instructions.
The Greatest American Hero - Series Information
- Original Title: The Greatest American Hero
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 1983
- Created by: Stephen J. Cannell
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 43
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 18, 1981 (United States - TV-14), March 18, 1981 (Canada - 14+), March 18, 1981 (Australia - PG), March 18, 1981 (Spain - TP)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Ralph Supermaxieroe (IT), UFO時代のときめき飛行 アメリカン・ヒーロー (JP), Súper héroe por accidente (MX), El superhéroe americano (CO), El gran héroe americano (ES), Titta han flyger (SE), Super-Herói Americano (BR), Ralph Super-héros (FR)
The Greatest American Hero - Plot
The chronicles of teacher Ralph Hinkley's adventures after a group of aliens gives him a red suit that gives him superhuman abilities. Unfortunately, Ralph, who hates wearing the suit, immediately loses its instruction booklet, and thus has to learn how to use its powers by trial and error, often with comical results.
The Greatest American Hero - Trailer
See the bumbling superhero in action in the official trailer below:
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The Greatest American Hero - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Stephen J. Cannell
Main Cast
- William Katt
- Robert Culp
- Connie Sellecca
- Faye Grant
- Michael Paré
- Jesse D. Goins
- Don Cervantes
- William Bogert
- Brandon Williams
- Kurt Grayson
Writers
- Stephen J. Cannell
- Frank Lupo
- Juanita Bartlett
- Babs Greyhosky
- Robert Culp
- Lee Sheldon
The Greatest American Hero - FAQs
What is The Greatest American Hero about?
A mild-mannered schoolteacher named Ralph Hinkley is handed a powerful red superhero suit by extraterrestrials — then promptly loses the instruction manual. What follows is a charming mix of action and comedy as Ralph stumbles through learning his abilities, aided by a gruff FBI agent and his sharp-witted girlfriend.
Why did Ralph Hinkley's name change mid-series?
Shortly after the show premiered, John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Reagan in March 1981. The network quickly changed the character's surname to 'Hanley' for several episodes to avoid any uncomfortable association. The original name 'Hinkley' was quietly restored once the sensitivity faded.
Where can you stream The Greatest American Hero?
The series streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, and Peacock Premium. It's also available free with ads on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, The Roku Channel, and The CW. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
Who created The Greatest American Hero?
The series was created by Stephen J. Cannell, one of television's most prolific producers and writers of the era. Cannell was also behind hits like The Rockford Files and The A-Team, and his signature blend of action, humor, and heart is very much on display throughout The Greatest American Hero.
Did The Greatest American Hero face any legal trouble?
Marvel Comics sued the producers, claiming the red-suited flying hero was too similar to Spider-Man. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, with the court finding that a bumbling, reluctant superhero in a costume was not sufficiently distinctive to Marvel's character to constitute infringement.
How was The Greatest American Hero received by audiences?
The show was a genuine hit in its early seasons, drawing strong ratings on ABC and earning a devoted fan base. Its catchy theme song 'Believe It or Not' by Joey Scarbury even reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981, giving the series a cultural footprint well beyond its episode count.
Is The Greatest American Hero worth watching today?
For fans of classic 1980s television, absolutely. The show's warm chemistry between William Katt, Robert Culp, and Connie Sellecca gives it a timeless charm, and its self-aware humor about superhero tropes feels surprisingly ahead of its time. It's lighthearted, fun, and a genuine product of its era.
Are there any similar shows to The Greatest American Hero?
If you enjoy its blend of action, comedy, and reluctant heroism, The Boys and Krypton offer modern superhero twists with sharp writing. For classic-era action-comedy, Starsky & Hutch and The Sweeney scratch a similar itch. MacGruber brings the same comedic-hero energy in a more recent format.
More About The Greatest American Hero
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