View source for William Daniels

{{Cast Data
| image=William daniels.jpg 
| character=[[Norman Blore]]
| series=1980
| born_month= 3
| born_day= 31
| born_year= 1927
| death_month= 
| death_day= 
| death_year= 
| nationality= US
| site=https://williamdanielstheactor.com/
| imdb=0200122
| sortkey=Daniels, William
| nocat=Y
|image2=Norman.jpg}}

'''William David Daniels''' (born March 31, 1927) is an American actor who portrayed [[Norman Blore]] in the ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' episodes "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I]]" and "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II|Part II]]".

== Early Life ==

Born on Hull Street in [[w:Brooklyn|Brooklyn]], [[w:New York (state)|New York]], Daniels was the son of David Daniels, a bricklayer, and his wife Irene, a telephone operator.<ref name="tcm_daniels_early">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=Born%20William%20David,his%20wife%2C%20Irene |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref><ref name="coawfla_daniels_brooklyn">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=My%20father%20was,two%20blocks%20long |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> Growing up in a blue-collar, middle-class area during the [[w:Great Depression|Depression]], Daniels recalled in a 2019 interview: "Hull Street was where I was born and played. I went back a few years ago and I was shocked to find that Hull Street was only two blocks long. It seemed much bigger to me as a child."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_brooklyn" />

He and his two sisters, Jacqueline and Carol, were immersed in entertainment from a very early age.<ref name="tcm_daniels_early" /> At four and a half years old, he was performing on stage, and by age eight, he was a showbiz veteran, performing in a song-and-dance team with his five-year-old sister Jacqueline on early television variety shows like ''[[w:The Horn & Hardart Children's Hour|The Horn and Hardart Children's Hour]]''.<ref name="tcm_daniels_early" /> The siblings were later joined by their sister Carol for their own radio show, "The Daniels Family."<ref name="tcm_daniels_early" />

Daniels' mother, Irene, was instrumental in launching her children's performing careers. She took Daniels and his sister Jackie to audition for Nick Kenny, who had a daily column in the ''[[w:New York Daily Mirror|New York Daily Mirror]]''.<ref name="coawfla_daniels_mother">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=my%20mother%20put,onto%20the%20show |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> After being told their tap dancing wouldn't work for radio, she taught them to sing; when told to sing in harmony rather than unison, she persisted and taught them harmony singing.<ref name="coawfla_daniels_mother" /> On the third attempt, they were accepted onto the show.<ref name="coawfla_daniels_mother" /> Years later, Daniels acknowledged in therapy that it took him a long time to get over the resentment of being pushed into show business by his mother.<ref name="coawfla_daniels_resentment">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=It%20took%20a,went%20into%20acting |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

At age 15, Daniels served as understudy for the two juvenile male actors in the touring production of ''[[w:Life with Father|Life with Father]]'' before taking on their roles in the Broadway production, which ran for two and a half years.<ref name="tcm_daniels_early" /> During this time, Daniels attended a performers' school with other child actors, though he admitted he rarely participated in actual classes. In a 2016 interview, he recalled: "I went to a performers' school, with all the kids who were in shows, but it was run out of somebody's apartment and there was nothing going on there. I was never in class; I'd go in, say I had an appointment, and then go and read the ''[[w:The New York Times|New York Times]]''."<ref name="playbill_daniels_education">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=I%20went%20to,the%20New%20York%20Times |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

In 1945, Daniels was drafted into the [[w:United States Army|U.S. Army]]. He was stationed in [[w:Livorno|Livorno]], [[w:Italy|Italy]], where he served as a disc jockey at an Army radio station for two years.<ref name="coawfla_daniels_military">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=I%20wound%20up,two%20years |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> Reflecting on his military service, Daniels stated: "It was a great help to me because we were all much too close" as a family, and the experience "kind of freed me from the family."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_freedom">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=it%20also%20kind,from%20the%20family |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

When applying to [[w:Northwestern University|Northwestern University]], Daniels faced a unique challenge: he had never properly attended classes at his performers' school. When the school administrator called to ask about his grades for the university application, he explained that all records had been lost in a fire. Daniels recalled: "A light went on in my head. I said, 'Yeah, I think I do.' We went down the whole list and made up a whole bunch of numbers. I'd never had American History, and I gave myself an 88."<ref name="playbill_daniels_grades">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=A%20light%20went,gave%20myself%20an%2088 |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

At Northwestern University, Daniels met fellow drama student Bonnie Bartlett in a classroom during auditions for a play.<ref name="coawfla_daniels_meets_bonnie">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=we%20were%20actually,ever%20since |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> Daniels, who had already worked on Broadway and was "a cocky kid at that time," listened critically to other students auditioning before hearing Bartlett's voice. He recalled: "I heard a voice in the back. The director called out Bonnie and he had her read and I heard an actress... It was the voice of an actor and I heard it immediately."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_meets_bonnie" /> He waited at the door and asked her for coffee, to which she replied, "You are too short." He persisted, and they have been together ever since.<ref name="coawfla_daniels_meets_bonnie" /> They married after graduation in 1951.<ref name="tcm_daniels_education">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=At%20the%20encouragement,married%20after%20graduation%20in%201951 |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Theater ===

Daniels pursued his acting dreams for several years without much success until [[w:Tennessee Williams|Tennessee Williams]] selected him to play Brick in the national touring company production of ''[[w:Cat on a Hot Tin Roof|Cat on a Hot Tin Roof]]'' from 1957 to 1958.<ref name="tcm_daniels_theater">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=Daniels%20pursued%20his,1957%20to%201958 |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> His theater career quickly blossomed, with an [[w:Obie Award|Obie]] win for [[w:Edward Albee|Edward Albee]]'s ''[[w:The Zoo Story|The Zoo Story]]'' in 1960 and leads in ''[[w:A Thousand Clowns|A Thousand Clowns]]'' and ''[[w:On a Clear Day You Can See Forever|On a Clear Day You Can See Forever]]'' among his numerous stage credits.<ref name="tcm_daniels_theater" />

In 1969, Daniels originated the role of [[w:John Adams|John Adams]] in the [[w:Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical ''[[w:1776 (musical)|1776]]'', a performance widely praised by critics.<ref name="tcm_daniels_1776">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=His%20turn%20as,praised%20by%20critics |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> However, Daniels initially had reservations about the project. He recalled in a 2016 interview: "I read the script with a bunch of people at somebody's apartment. Sherman Edwards was a former schoolteacher from New Jersey, and he had written not just the songs, but the script. It was a little stiff; I remember thinking, We're in the middle of [[w:Vietnam War|Vietnam]], for Christ's sake, and they're waving the flag? I really had to be talked into doing it."<ref name="playbill_daniels_1776_initial">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=I%20read%20the,be%20talked%20into%20doing%20it |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

What changed Daniels' mind was playwright [[w:Peter Stone|Peter Stone]]'s revision of the script. Daniels explained: "When the script came back to me, Peter Stone had taken ahold of it, and he'd gone back to the actual conversations in the [[w:Second Continental Congress|Second Continental Congress]]. He had written them out on little cards and injected them into the script, and it made all the difference in the world. It added humor and conciseness and truth."<ref name="playbill_daniels_stone_revision">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=when%20the%20script,conciseness%20and%20truth |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Because his name was not billed above the play's title, Daniels was ineligible for a [[w:Tony Award|Tony]] as Best Actor, and he refused the compromise of a Best Featured Actor nomination.<ref name="tcm_daniels_1776" /> In a 2019 interview, he explained his reasoning: "Our show opened on Broadway after we had been out of town in Boston. But it opened in the spring. The producers had already met and nominated shows that they had already seen and they had not seen our show. Obviously, I was the lead in ''1776'', but they offered me a supporting actor nomination and I turned it down. They said, 'Why?' I said, 'Who am I supporting?' And they didn't have an answer for that."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_tony">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=Our%20show%20opened,have%20an%20answer%20for%20that |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> When asked if he regretted the decision, Daniels was adamant: "No, I haven't regretted it at all. I think I was right in insisting that I am the leading role because, obviously, in ''1776'' John Adams is the leading role."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_tony_no_regret">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=No%2C%20I%20haven,in%20the%20show |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

The role of John Adams became one of the highlights of Daniels' acting career. He recalled the power of the opening: "Doing John Adams was one of the highlights of my acting career: you come out in front of the curtain, and the people are sitting there rustling their papers, and the men are probably wondering why they bought these tickets—and then you start, 'By God, I have had this Congress!' And it was always Con-gress. Sherman Edwards said, 'You have to say Con-gress.' That whole speech was done in front of the curtain, and then the curtain opened up and this whole choir of voices sang, 'Sit down, John!' That really grabbed them."<ref name="playbill_daniels_opening">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=Doing%20John%20Adams,really%20grabbed%20them |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

In February 1970, President [[w:Richard Nixon|Nixon]] invited the show to play at the [[w:White House|White House]], making it the first full-scale Broadway musical ever to do so.<ref name="playbill_daniels_white_house">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=Like%20Hamilton%2C%201776,full%2Dscale%20Broadway%20musical%20ever%20to%20do%20so |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> However, the invitation came with controversy—the Nixon Administration initially wanted the production to cut the song "Cool, Cool Conservative Men."<ref name="playbill_daniels_nixon_cut">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=It%20was%20a,about%20them |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> When asked why, Daniels explained simply: "Because it was about them."<ref name="playbill_daniels_nixon_cut" /> Producer Stuart Ostrow refused, insisting they would not do the show without performing the complete production.<ref name="playbill_daniels_ostrow">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=But%20our%20producer,the%20whole%20thing |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Daniels initially resisted performing at the White House for Nixon. He recalled: "When Stuart called and said they'd asked us to come to the White House, I said, 'For Nixon?! You must be out of your mind.' Most of the cast were Democrats, and felt the same way. There were about three Republicans. At any rate, we did go, and performed in the [[w:East Room|East Room]]."<ref name="playbill_daniels_nixon_reluctance">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=when%20Stuart%20called,the%20East%20Room |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> Despite his political reservations, the performance was memorable, with members of the [[w:United States Senate|Senate]] and [[w:United States House of Representatives|House]] giving a standing ovation at the end.<ref name="playbill_daniels_standing_ovation">{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-and-william-daniels-talk-hamilton-1776-mr-feeny-and-more#:~:text=Practically%20all%20of,carried%20on |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and William Daniels Talk Hamilton, 1776, Mr. Feeny, and More |website=Playbill |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

=== Film ===

Daniels' motion picture debut came in [[w:Frank Perry|Frank Perry]]'s harrowing ''[[w:Ladybug Ladybug (film)|Ladybug Ladybug]]'' (1963), about the tragic effect a false civil defense alarm has on school children.<ref name="tcm_daniels_film_debut">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=More%20TV%20work,on%20school%20children |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> In 1965, he reprised his Broadway role as a child welfare worker in the screen version of ''A Thousand Clowns''.<ref name="imdb_daniels_bio_film">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/#:~:text=His%20next%20film,worker%20Albert%20Amundson |title=William Daniels |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

His most notable film role came in 1967 when he appeared as the father of [[w:Dustin Hoffman|Dustin Hoffman]]'s character in ''[[w:The Graduate|The Graduate]]''.<ref name="imdb_daniels_bio_film" /> Interestingly, Daniels is only ten years older than Hoffman in real life.<ref name="imdb_daniels_trivia_hoffman">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/trivia/#:~:text=Played%20Dustin%20Hoffman,older%20than%20Hoffman |title=William Daniels - Trivia |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

In 1972, Daniels and much of the original Broadway and replacement cast were featured in the film version of ''[[w:1776 (film)|1776]]''.<ref name="tcm_daniels_1776_film">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=In%201972%2C%20Daniels,featured%20in%20the%20film%20version |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> His performance ingrained him in the minds of producers and moviegoers as the obstinate, forthright Adams, and he would later play the second President of the United States, as well as his son [[w:John Quincy Adams|John Quincy Adams]] and cousin [[w:Samuel Adams|Samuel Adams]], in projects ranging from the miniseries ''[[w:The Adams Chronicles|The Adams Chronicles]]'' ([[w:PBS|PBS]], 1976) to the sudsy [[w:John Jakes|John Jakes]] adaptations ''The Bastard'' (1978) and ''The Rebels'' (1979).<ref name="tcm_daniels_adams">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=He%20would%20later,The%20Rebels%22%20(1979) |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

=== Television ===

Daniels made his adult television debut in a 1952 episode of the ''[[w:Hallmark Hall of Fame|Hallmark Hall of Fame]]'' as John Quincy Adams.<ref name="tcm_daniels_tv_debut">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=Daniels%20made%20his,John%20Quincy%20Adams |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

In 1967, he starred in the short-lived superhero sitcom ''[[w:Captain Nice|Captain Nice]]'' as police chemist Carter Nash.<ref name="imdb_daniels_captain">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/#:~:text=He%20found%20his,The%20series%20lasted%20only%2015%20episodes |title=William Daniels |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> In both identities, Nash was a mild-mannered mama's boy who was pressured into a crime-fighting career by his mother. He was clumsy as a hero and had a crippling fear of heights. The series lasted only 15 episodes.<ref name="imdb_daniels_captain" />

==== ''St. Elsewhere'' ====

From 1982 to 1988, Daniels starred as surgeon Dr. Mark Craig in the medical drama ''[[w:St. Elsewhere|St. Elsewhere]]'', set at St. Eligius Hospital, a decaying urban teaching hospital in [[w:Boston|Boston]].<ref name="imdb_daniels_st_elsewhere">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/#:~:text=Daniels%20also%20played,in%20Boston |title=William Daniels |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> The series lasted for 137 episodes and garnered 62 [[w:Primetime Emmy Award|Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations.<ref name="imdb_daniels_st_elsewhere" />

Daniels won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1985 and 1986 for his portrayal of Dr. Mark Craig.<ref name="imdb_daniels_emmys">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/awards/#:~:text=1986%20Winner%20Primetime,1985%20Winner%20Primetime |title=William Daniels - Awards |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> In 1986, Daniels and his wife Bonnie Bartlett, who played his wife Ellen Craig on the series, both won Emmys for their work on the show—becoming the second married couple in history to win Emmy Awards on the same night, after [[w:Alfred Lunt|Alfred Lunt]] and [[w:Lynn Fontanne|Lynn Fontanne]] in 1965.<ref name="sagaftra_daniels_emmys">{{cite web |url=https://www.sagaftra.org/william-daniels#:~:text=In%201986%2C%20Daniels,becoming%20the |title=William Daniels |website=SAG-AFTRA |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

==== ''Knight Rider'' ====

Concurrent with his work on ''St. Elsewhere'', Daniels provided the voice of KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), an artificially intelligent computer in a modified [[w:Pontiac Firebird|Pontiac Trans Am]], on the action series ''[[w:Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]'' from 1982 to 1986.<ref name="imdb_daniels_knight_rider">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/#:~:text=In%20the%20crime,spin%2Doffs |title=William Daniels |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Daniels initially took the role as a favor to producer [[Glen A. Larson]], but was highly skeptical of the concept. In a 2019 interview, he recalled: "At that time I thought, 'A car that talks? Give me a break.' I was ready to walk away from it."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_kitt_skeptical">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=At%20that%20time,walk%20away%20from%20it |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> However, he agreed to record a few pages of lines at [[w:Universal Studios|Universal Studios]]. He recalled on his official website: "As a favor to producer Glen Larson, I did a few pages of lines in a Universal Studios recording room for a detective/adventure series that would feature a talking car. I was incredulous, but figured the session would be short. I was advised to sound like a robot or a telephone operator. I ignored the suggestions and continued in my own voice."<ref name="daniels_website_kitt_favor">{{cite web |url=https://williamdanielstheactor.com/roles_kitt.html#:~:text=As%20a%20favor,continued%20in%20my%20own%20voice |title=KITT, Knight Rider |website=William Daniels The Actor |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

When [[w:NBC|NBC]] bought the series, Daniels was asked to continue voicing the car. Since he was already working on ''St. Elsewhere'', the network was willing to work around his schedule. Daniels explained: "I was doing ''St. Elsewhere'' and they knew that. It was the same network and they were willing to work around it. When I had a day off, I would go over and do KITT."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_schedule">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=I%20was%20doing,and%20do%20KITT |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> He took it as "a nice extra paycheck that would take little time from my main job at St. Elsewhere."<ref name="daniels_website_kitt_paycheck">{{cite web |url=https://williamdanielstheactor.com/roles_kitt.html#:~:text=I%20was%20amazed,my%20main%20job%20at%20St.%20Elsewhere |title=KITT, Knight Rider |website=William Daniels The Actor |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

The recording process was unusual. Daniels didn't meet star [[w:David Hasselhoff|David Hasselhoff]] for a long time because Hasselhoff was on the road shooting the series. Daniels recalled: "I didn't meet David Hasselhoff for a long time. He was on the road shooting it. I would record KITT's voice and they would play my recording to Hasselhoff out on the road. It seemed to work out. I finally met him at the Christmas party. Neither one of us could believe what a hit it had become."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_hasselhoff">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=I%20didn%E2%80%99t%20meet,it%20had%20become |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Daniels took no billing and figured no one would recognize his voice, but was proven wrong.<ref name="daniels_website_kitt_paycheck" /> Thirty years later, people were still recognizing his voice as that of the Trans Am on ''Knight Rider''.<ref name="daniels_website_kitt_recognition">{{cite web |url=https://williamdanielstheactor.com/roles_kitt.html#:~:text=Thirty%20years%20later,Trans%20Am%20on%20Knight%20Rider |title=KITT, Knight Rider |website=William Daniels The Actor |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

The day after the show premiered, Daniels was taking a walk in his neighborhood when a stranger standing on his lawn yelled, "Hey, congratulations on your new show!" Daniels noted: "How the heck had he figured it out? I mumbled some kind of acknowledgement which I hope managed to combine a note of gratitude and hurried on. Apparently, I was the last to know that my voice was such a signature--there was no hiding."<ref name="daniels_website_kitt_recognition" />

Daniels reprised the voice role of KITT in the 1991 television movie ''Knight Rider 2000''.<ref name="imdb_daniels_knight_rider_reprise">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/#:~:text=Daniels%20played%20KITT,television%20film |title=William Daniels |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

==== ''Boy Meets World'' ====

From 1993 to 2000, Daniels portrayed George Feeny, the strict but loving teacher at John Adams High School in the [[w:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[w:Boy Meets World|Boy Meets World]]''.<ref name="imdb_daniels_boy_meets">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200122/#:~:text=He%20had%20a,one%20of%20Daniel%E2%80%99s%20most%20recognizable%20roles |title=William Daniels |website=IMDb |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> The series lasted for 158 episodes, and Feeny became one of Daniels' most recognizable roles.<ref name="imdb_daniels_boy_meets" />

Daniels initially turned down the role because he felt the name "Mr. Feeny" was funny and he didn't want to make fun of teachers. In a 2019 interview, he explained: "I turned that role down because to me the name Mr. Feeny was a very funny name and I didn't want to make fun of teachers. They are underpaid and they're terribly important to all of us."<ref name="coawfla_daniels_feeny_refusal">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=I%20turned%20that,all%20of%20us |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> Creator Michael Jacobs asked Daniels to meet with him to discuss his concerns. Daniels recalled: "He said, 'Why did you turned it down?' I said, 'The name is funny and I don't want to make fun of teachers.' He said. 'Wait a minute. I based this Mr. Feeny on a teacher of mine in high school who became a mentor of mine and who was a very important person in my life. I expect to treat Mr. Feeny with that kind of respect.' I said, 'Well, in that case I will do it.'"<ref name="coawfla_daniels_jacobs_meeting">{{cite web |url=https://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-news/blog/William-Daniels-An-Exclusive-Interview-201912/#:~:text=He%20said%2C%20%22Why,I%20will%20do%20it |title=William Daniels: An Exclusive Interview |website=Council on Aging of West Florida |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Working with a predominantly young cast presented unique challenges for Daniels. In a 2022 appearance on the ''Pod Meets World'' podcast, he explained his approach: "You all were young and having fun and I was much more serious. So I would hang out in my dressing room away from you all as you fooled around before the camera and then they said, 'Mr. Daniels, we're ready for you,' and then I'd go out."<ref name="today_daniels_young_cast">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/boy-meets-world-william-daniels-recalls-working-younger-co-stars-rcna38077#:~:text=Well%2C%20you%20all,I%E2%80%99d%20go%20out |title='Boy Meets World' actor William Daniels recalls working with his younger co-stars |website=Today |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Daniels deliberately avoided being judgmental with his younger co-stars. He stated: "I stayed away from being judgmental. I took whatever you gave me and I tried to work with it and it worked out very well."<ref name="today_daniels_nonjudgmental">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/boy-meets-world-william-daniels-recalls-working-younger-co-stars-rcna38077#:~:text=I%20stayed%20away,very%20well |title='Boy Meets World' actor William Daniels recalls working with his younger co-stars |website=Today |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> His wife Bonnie Bartlett, who joined the podcast interview, explained his philosophy: "I said, 'Do you help them?' He said, 'No, they're on my level. They're the same level I am. I can't tell them.'"<ref name="today_daniels_level">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/boy-meets-world-william-daniels-recalls-working-younger-co-stars-rcna38077#:~:text=I%20said%2C%20%E2%80%98Do,can%E2%80%99t%20tell%20them |title='Boy Meets World' actor William Daniels recalls working with his younger co-stars |website=Today |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Reflecting on the experience years later, Daniels expressed some regret about his serious approach. He told the podcast hosts: "You guys were having a ball and I'd taken it very seriously. Frankly, I wish I were one of you."<ref name="today_daniels_regret">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/boy-meets-world-william-daniels-recalls-working-younger-co-stars-rcna38077#:~:text=You%20guys%20were,one%20of%20you |title='Boy Meets World' actor William Daniels recalls working with his younger co-stars |website=Today |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

His wife, Bonnie Bartlett, appeared in the series as a college dean who employed Feeny, and their characters later married in a 1999 episode.<ref name="people_daniels_bartlett_boy_meets">{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/william-daniels-bonnie-bartlett-relationship-155506319.html#:~:text=The%20Northwestern%20University,in%20a%201999%20episode |title=William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett's Relationship Timeline |website=People via Yahoo! |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

=== Screen Actors Guild Presidency ===

From 1999 until 2001, Daniels served as president of the Screen Actors Guild.<ref name="tcm_daniels_sag_president">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=From%201999%20until,of%20actor%20Richard%20Masur |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> The decision to run was reportedly an impulsive one, spurred largely by hearing stories by other Guild members about their disappointment in the two-time presidency of actor Richard Masur.<ref name="tcm_daniels_sag_president" /> Daniels defeated the incumbent in a major upset.<ref name="tcm_daniels_sag_upset">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/852421%7C155428/William-Daniels#:~:text=Daniels%20defeated%20the,a%20major%20upset |title=William Daniels |website=Turner Classic Movies |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

During Daniels' tenure, the Guild conducted the longest strike in entertainment union history, over radio and television commercials, lasting from May through October 2000.<ref name="sagaftra_daniels_strike">{{cite web |url=https://www.sagaftra.org/william-daniels#:~:text=During%20Daniels%E2%80%99%20tenure,May%20through%20October%202000 |title=William Daniels |website=SAG-AFTRA |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> His presidency also saw the release of two major studies, ''The African-American Television Report'' and ''Still Missing: Latinos in and Out of Hollywood''; debuted CastSag on the website; and hired a new National Executive Director/CEO, A Robert "Bob" Pisano, from outside the Guild for the first time in the organization's 68-year history.<ref name="sagaftra_daniels_achievements">{{cite web |url=https://www.sagaftra.org/william-daniels#:~:text=released%20two%20major,68%2Dyear%20history |title=William Daniels |website=SAG-AFTRA |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

Daniels decided not to seek the presidency a second time when his two-year term ended in 2001, but served as a temporary board replacement.<ref name="sagaftra_daniels_term_end">{{cite web |url=https://www.sagaftra.org/william-daniels#:~:text=Daniels%20decided%20not,temporary%20board%20replacement |title=William Daniels |website=SAG-AFTRA |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

== Personal Life ==

Daniels met fellow drama student Bonnie Bartlett at Northwestern University, and they married on June 30, 1951.<ref name="tcm_daniels_education" /> In 1961, Bartlett gave birth to a son who died 24 hours later.<ref name="mabumbe_daniels_family">{{cite web |url=https://mabumbe.com/people/william-daniels-age-net-worth-family-career-highlights/#:~:text=In%201961%2C%20she,died%2024%20hours%20later |title=William Daniels: Age, Net Worth, Family & Career Highlights |website=Mabumbe |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> The couple subsequently adopted two sons: Michael, who became an assistant director and stage manager in Los Angeles, and Robert, an artist and computer graphics designer based in New York City.<ref name="mabumbe_daniels_family" />

As of 2024, Daniels and Bartlett have been married for 73 years, making theirs one of the longest marriages in Hollywood history.<ref name="people_daniels_anniversary_2024">{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/william-daniels-bonnie-bartlett-relationship-155506319.html#:~:text=Daniels%20and%20Bartlett,of%2097%20and%2095 |title=William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett's Relationship Timeline |website=People via Yahoo! |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref> Both have been candid about the challenges they faced in their marriage, including periods of infidelity early in their relationship that they ultimately overcame through mutual respect and commitment.<ref name="people_daniels_challenges_growth">{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/william-daniels-bonnie-bartlett-relationship-155506319.html#:~:text=Despite%20their%20commitment,companionship%20marriage |title=William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett's Relationship Timeline |website=People via Yahoo! |accessdate=2025-11-09}}</ref>

== External Links ==
{{Ext-wikipedia|William Daniels}}{{Ext-ma|article=William Daniels}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cast]]
[[Category:Cast (1980)]]
[[Category:Glen Larson Productions Cast and Crew]]
[[Category:1980]]