William Daniels felt “so lucky” as he celebrated his 97th birthday.
The actor – who has been married to Bonnie Bartlett since 1951 and has Michael, 59 and 57-year-old Robert with her – had his birthday on Easter Sunday and reflected after decades on screen that he feels “grateful” to have enjoyed both a “wonderful” career and family life.
He told People: “I am so lucky to have had such wonderful material to work with over the years which has created my career. I am also grateful for having such a special, wonderful family.”
William – whose marriage was certified as the longest-running in Hollywood in August 2023 – began his showbiz career on local television and in the theatre in the early 1940s after serving in the army before going on to star in ‘ Ladybug Ladybug’ and ‘ The Graduate’ opposite Dustin Hoffman in the 1960s.
To TV audiences, his perhaps best-known for appearing as strict teacher Mr Feeny on the Disney Channel sitcom Boy Meets World, for the entirety of its seven-season run in the 1990s and even reprised the role for the spin-off ‘Girl Meets World’ in 2014.
For his 96th birthday in 2023, he reunited with co-stars Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong and Will Friedle, who noted just weeks before the celebration that it was “still magical” to be in touch with the Hollywood veteran and his wife after so many years.
He said: “Ninety-five years old and he still shoots out the pearls of wisdom. His wife, Bonnie, as well. Talking to them is still magical.”
Danielle – who starred as Topanga Lawrence on the series – added: “If you’re willing to listen, Bill is dropping gems left and right.”