William Daniels, Beloved ‘Boy Meets World’ Star Known as Mr. Feeny, Celebrates 99th Birthday
William Daniels, the actor who won generations of fans as the wise and wry George Feeny on “Boy Meets World,” turned 99 on March 31 — and he marked the milestone the way he’s spent much of his life: surrounded by the people he loves most.
The actor celebrated at a family gathering in Los Angeles, where his son Michael prepared the meal. The guest list included his wife Bonnie Bartlett, 96, sons Michael (62) and Robert (60), their wives, four grandchildren and extended family. Some relatives traveled from the East Coast for the occasion.
“I’m going to spend my birthday with my family, and Michael is going to feed us,” Daniels told Today.
A Hollywood Love Story
If the birthday was a family affair, it’s because family has always been at the center of Daniels’ life. He and Bartlett have been married since June 30, 1951 — roughly 75 years — a union noted as the longest active marriage in Hollywood at 74-plus years.
Daniels doesn’t take that lightly, though he speaks about it with characteristic humor.
“I have a wonderful wife, Bonnie, who has put up with me for 75 years,” he jokes. “She keeps me busy.”
When asked about the secret to their lasting partnership, Daniels offered a refreshingly straightforward answer.
“I think the main reason why we’ve been married for 75 years is because we never seriously considered being with anyone else. So we had to work things out. You know?” Daniels told PEOPLE.
Bartlett echoed the sentiment, describing a bond built on intuition and mutual support.
“It’s like we don’t have to communicate almost. We just know what to do,” she said. “And when one person is upset, the other person sort of kind of calms down and we help each other in that way.”
The couple raised two sons together and even appeared on screen alongside each other, including on “Boy Meets World,” where Bartlett played his wife.
‘I Certainly Don’t Feel 99’
Despite nearing the century mark, Daniels says age is more number than feeling.
“I certainly don’t feel 99 years old, that’s for sure,” he told PEOPLE.
And when the topic of turning 100 comes up? He’s characteristically blunt.
“Oh, I don’t want to be a hundred. Who wants to be a hundred?”
Still, Daniels stays active and engaged. He previously swam and played tennis, and now works out with a personal trainer twice a week — sessions he shares with Bartlett.
“My advice to others is to keep moving,” the actor says. “Do things you enjoy and find some kind of exercise that you like.”
Still Performing, Still Connecting
What keeps Daniels sharp isn’t just physical fitness — it’s a continued sense of purpose. He still connects with fans regularly, attending San Diego Rocket Con 2026 and Pasadena Comic Con 2026. He also creates Cameo videos for fans throughout the year.
“I do hundreds of cameos every year, and that feels good,” he told Today. “It allows me to perform, which demands a certain amount of energy and focus. I think that’s good for me. I like being productive.”
Daniels credits staying active and maintaining that sense of purpose as keys to his remarkable longevity.
“I think the most important thing you should know is that I am very lucky. I’ve been able to work and keep active and have a sense of purpose,” Daniels says. “I was on ‘Boy Meets World’ until I was 73 years old!”
For millions of viewers who grew up watching him dispense wisdom as Mr. Feeny over the backyard fence, the real lesson may be the one Daniels is living now: stay active, stay connected and hold tight to the people who matter most.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
