Home / Arts and Entertainment / William Daniels, TV's Iconic Mr. Feeny, Reflects on Decades-Long Career
William Daniels, TV's Iconic Mr. Feeny, Reflects on Decades-Long Career
13 Oct
Summary
- William Daniels portrayed beloved teacher Mr. Feeny on 'Boy Meets World' for over a decade
- Daniels initially turned down the role, fearing it would mock teachers, but was convinced by the show's respectful portrayal
- Daniels and his wife Bonnie Bartlett have been married since 1951 and adopted two sons after losing their first child
William Daniels, a veteran actor with a long and distinguished career in film and television, is best known for his portrayal of the beloved teacher Mr. Feeny on the coming-of-age sitcom 'Boy Meets World'. Daniels had been in the industry for decades before taking on the role in 1993, and he initially turned down the part, fearing it might be offensive to educators. However, he was convinced by the show's creator, who explained that the character was based on a mentor from his own high school days.
Daniels went on to play Mr. Feeny for the entirety of the show's seven-season run, and his performance as the wise and caring teacher struck a chord with audiences. Even more than a decade after the series finale, Daniels continues to receive fan mail from viewers who were impacted by his character's mentorship during their formative years.
In addition to his acclaimed work on 'Boy Meets World', Daniels has had a prolific career in both film and television. He made his film debut in 1963 and went on to appear in movies such as 'The Graduate' and '1776'. On the small screen, he earned two Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Dr. Mark Craig on the medical drama 'St. Elsewhere'.
Daniels' personal life has also been marked by both joy and tragedy. He has been married to his wife, Bonnie Bartlett, since 1951, and the couple adopted two sons after losing their first child shortly after birth. Bartlett has praised Daniels' parenting skills and sense of humor, which she says have been a great source of support throughout their long and successful partnership.
