History of William Daniels in Timeline
William Daniels is an American actor recognized for his significant contributions to television. He achieved critical acclaim for his role as Dr. Mark Craig in the medical drama "St. Elsewhere," winning two Primetime Emmy Awards. Daniels also lent his voice to the iconic talking car KITT in the action series "Knight Rider." He further cemented his fame with his role as the wise teacher Mr. George Feeny in the sitcom "Boy Meets World," receiving four People's Choice Award nominations. Daniels reprised both roles in later sequels, demonstrating the lasting impact of his performances.
March 31, 1927: William Daniels Born
On March 31, 1927, William David Daniels was born. He is an American actor known for roles such as Mark Craig in St. Elsewhere, KITT in Knight Rider, and George Feeny in Boy Meets World.
1943: Television and Broadway Debut
In 1943, William Daniels made his television debut as part of a variety act on NBC in New York, and his Broadway debut in Life with Father.
1949: Graduation from Northwestern University
In 1949, William Daniels graduated from Northwestern University, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.
June 30, 1951: Marriage to Bonnie Bartlett
On June 30, 1951, William Daniels married actress Bonnie Bartlett.
1952: First Network Television Appearance
In 1952, William Daniels made his first network television appearance portraying John Quincy Adams in A Woman for the Ages.
1960: Obie Award for The Zoo Story
In 1960, William Daniels received an Obie Award for his performance in The Zoo Story.
1961: Birth and Death of Son
In 1961, Bonnie Bartlett gave birth to a son, who died 24 hours later.
1963: Motion Picture Debut in Ladybug Ladybug
In 1963, William Daniels made his motion picture debut as a school principal in the anti-war drama film Ladybug Ladybug.
1965: Lunt-Fontanne Emmy Awards
In 1965, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne won Emmy Awards for a production of The Magnificent Yankee for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, becoming the first married couple to accomplish the feat since.
1965: A Thousand Clowns film version
In 1965, William Daniels reprised his Broadway role as a child welfare worker in the screen version of A Thousand Clowns.
1967: Appears in The Graduate
In 1967, William Daniels appeared in The Graduate as the father of Dustin Hoffman's character.
1967: Stars in Captain Nice
In 1967, William Daniels starred as Carter Nash in the superhero sitcom Captain Nice.
1969: Refusal of Tony Award Nomination
In 1969, William Daniels refused the Tony Award nomination for Featured Actor in a Musical in 1776 due to his insistence that the part of John Adams was a leading role.
1969: Stars in 1776
In 1969, William Daniels starred as John Adams in the Broadway musical 1776.
1972: Appears in film version of 1776
In 1972, William Daniels appeared in the film version of 1776, reprising his role as John Adams.
1976: Reprised role in The Adams Chronicles
In 1976, William Daniels reprised the role of John Quincy Adams in the PBS miniseries The Adams Chronicles.
1978: Stars in The Bastard
In 1978, William Daniels reprised his role as John Adams in the film The Bastard.
1979: Stars in The Rebels
In 1979, William Daniels reprised his role as John Adams in the film The Rebels.
1982: Starts in St. Elsewhere and Knight Rider
In 1982, William Daniels began his role as Dr. Mark Craig in St. Elsewhere and as the voice of KITT in Knight Rider.
1983: First Emmy Nomination
From 1983, William Daniels' work on St. Elsewhere earned him his first of five consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
1985: First Emmy Award
In 1985, William Daniels won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on St. Elsewhere.
1986: Second Emmy Award
In 1986, William Daniels won his second Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on St. Elsewhere.
1986: End of voice role in Knight Rider
In 1986, William Daniels's role as the voice of KITT in Knight Rider ended.
1987: Last Emmy Nomination
By 1987, William Daniels' work on St. Elsewhere earned him his last of five consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
1988: End of St. Elsewhere
In 1988, William Daniels's role in St. Elsewhere concluded.
1991: Reprised voice of KITT
In 1991, William Daniels reprised his voice-only role of KITT for the television movie Knight Rider 2000.
1993: Starts in Boy Meets World
In 1993, William Daniels began portraying George Feeny in Boy Meets World.
1999: President of the Screen Actors Guild
In 1999, William Daniels became the president of the Screen Actors Guild.
2000: Knight Rider 2000
In 2000, William Daniels reprised his role as the voice of KITT in the sequel TV movie Knight Rider 2000.
2000: The Benchwarmers
In 2000, William Daniels reprised his voice-only role of KITT in the theatrical comedy movie The Benchwarmers.
2000: End of Boy Meets World
In 2000, William Daniels's role as George Feeny in Boy Meets World concluded.
2000: Commercial Actors Strike
In 2000, as president of the Screen Actors Guild, William Daniels led the union's efforts during the commercial actors strike.
2001: End of Daniels's presidency of Screen Actors Guild
In 2001, William Daniels's term as president of the Screen Actors Guild ended.
2012: Guest Star on Grey's Anatomy
In 2012, William Daniels appeared in the ninth season of Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Craig Thomas.
2014: Reprises role in Girl Meets World
In 2014, William Daniels reprised his role as Mr. Feeny in the pilot episode of the Boy Meets World spinoff, Girl Meets World.
2015: Voice of KITT in Lego Dimensions
In 2015, William Daniels reprised the role of KITT in the Lego-themed action-adventure video game Lego Dimensions.
2023: Filming Richard III
In early 2023, William Daniels completed filming the role of King Henry VI in the upcoming "Richard III".
October 14, 2025: Appears on Dancing with the Stars
On October 14, 2025, at 98 years old, William Daniels appeared as a surprise guest on Dancing with the Stars.
January 2026: Longest active Hollywood Marriage
As of January 2026, William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett's marriage is the longest active Hollywood marriage, at 74 years.
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