William Daniels, a well-known screen actor known for his roles in the Oscar-winning The Graduate and the hit 1980s series Knight Rider, recently turned 98. He and his wife of 73 years, actress Bonnie Bartlett, who has also won an Emmy, were seen at Art’s Deli enjoying a quiet outing. Their marriage, which began in 1951, is one of the longest-lasting in Hollywood history.
Daniels kept it casual for the event, wearing a blue sweater under a gray windbreaker, gray pants, and white sneakers that matched. His voice, which is instantly recognizable and famous for giving life to KITT, the talking car in Knight Rider, is still a big part of his long career. Daniels is well-known for his voice acting, but he is also well-known for playing Mr. Feeny in the popular 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World and Mr. Braddock in The Graduate.
Daniels said that all he wanted for his birthday was “peace and quiet.” Bonnie thought about what the day really meant and how rare it is for actors to stay together for so long. Daniels also said that he is still working professionally and stressed how important it is to stay involved. Bonnie said that he recently did voice work that reminded him of his famous KITT role, which shows that he is still connected to the characters that made him famous. Daniels thanked his fans from the bottom of his heart for their ongoing support and said he hopes to celebrate many more birthdays in the future.
Their long-lasting relationship started in college and has been through good times and bad. The couple had a hard time when their first child, William Jr., died shortly after birth in 1961. Later, they adopted two sons, Michael and Robert, to make their family bigger. After serving in World War II, Daniels’ path to acting picked up speed. He went on to have a successful career on Broadway, in movies, and on TV.
William Daniels’ 98th birthday is more than just a milestone; it’s a celebration of a life well lived, with famous roles, a strong will, and a marriage that has become famous in its own right. Daniels is still a beloved figure whose legacy lives on in Hollywood and beyond. He started out singing in a family group and went on to have decades of successful work on screen.