Mr. Feeny Forever: William Daniels Turns 99 and Is Still Going Strong
At an age when most people have long since stepped out of the spotlight, William Daniels is still very much in it — making convention appearances, recording Cameo videos for fans and celebrating what is recognized as Hollywood’s longest active marriage.
The beloved actor, best known for playing the incomparable George Feeny on Boy Meets World, turned 99 on March 31.
And he isn’t slowing down.
A Birthday Fit for a Legend
Daniels marked the milestone at home in Los Angeles, surrounded by wife Bonnie Bartlett, 96, sons Michael, 62, and Robert, 60, their wives and four grandchildren. Some family members 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.
As for hitting the big 9-9? He’s taking it in stride.
“I certainly don’t feel 99 years old, that’s for sure,” he told PEOPLE.
And when asked about the prospect of turning 100, Daniels responded with characteristic wit: “Oh, I don’t want to be a hundred. Who wants to be a hundred?”
Hollywood’s Longest Active Marriage
Perhaps even more remarkable than Daniels’ longevity in the entertainment industry is his longevity in love. He and Bartlett have been married since June 30, 1951 — roughly 75 years — a union recognized as the longest active marriage in Hollywood.
“I have a wonderful wife, Bonnie, who has put up with me for 75 years,” Daniels joked to TODAY.com. “She keeps me busy.”
The secret to nearly three-quarters of a century together? According to Daniels, it comes down to commitment.
“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?” he told PEOPLE.
Bartlett offered her own perspective on the partnership: “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 their two sons together and even appeared on screen as husband and wife — Bartlett played Daniels’ wife on Boy Meets World, bringing their real-life partnership into the fictional halls of John Adams High.
Still Performing at Nearly 100
What makes Daniels’ story especially compelling for fans is that he hasn’t retreated from public life. He attended San Diego Rocket Con 2026 and Pasadena Comic Con 2026, and he regularly creates Cameo videos for the devoted fanbase that still adores Mr. Feeny decades after the show’s run.
“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 a sense of purpose as keys to his remarkable run.
“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,” he said. “I was on ‘Boy Meets World’ until I was 73 years old!”
The Secret to Staying Sharp
The actor, who previously swam and played tennis, now works out with a personal trainer twice a week — alongside Bartlett.
“My advice to others is to keep moving,” Daniels said. “Do things you enjoy and find some kind of exercise that you like.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
