William Daniels is crediting fans for helping him feel youthful ahead of his milestone 99th birthday.
“Hard to believe I’m turning 99 tomorrow!” the Boy Meets World alum, 98, wrote via X on Monday, March 30, alongside a video of himself. “I’m so grateful that staying connected with my fans has been so fulfilling in my later years.”
Daniels added that while he is “taking a pause on long-distance travel” and can’t make it to in-person events, he is still available to connect with fans online. The actor shared that he is available to make videos for fans via Cameo.
“Over the years, I’ve enjoyed connecting with fans and friends through Cameo and at events. Thank you for keeping me young,” he joked in the video. “Keep it up! Class dismissed.”
Daniels rose to fame for playing Mark Craig on the drama St. Elsewhere from 1982 to 1988. However, his most notable role was as Mr. Feeny on Boy Meets World. Daniels starred on the sitcom alongside Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong and Will Friedle for seven seasons.
While Mr. Feeny is beloved by Boy Meets World fans, Daniels previously revealed he almost turned down the role.
“I asked for a meeting [with showrunner Michael Jacobs] because I turned it down and he wanted to know why,” Daniels recalled during a July 2022 appearance on “Pod Meets World,” which is hosted by Fishel, Strong and Friedle. “I said ‘Well, that’s a funny name and I don’t want to make fun of teachers. I respect them and they’re [under]paid and all that.’ Then he told me what my role was based on, which was a mentor of his when he was in high school.”
He continued, “I was afraid [Feeny] would be the butt of the joke, [but then] I realized the plot would be written with respect.”
Since Boy Meets World came to an end in 2000, Daniels has remained close to his costars over the years. Daniels and his wife Bonnie Bartlett had a reunion with Fishel, Strong and Friedle in June 2024.
“Just a little reunion with my favorite students!!” he captioned the group photo.
When Fishel competed on Dancing With the Stars season 34 last year, Daniels cheered her on and made a brief cameo in a performance she dedicated to him.
“I don’t think I would have been the professional that I am [without William Daniels],” Fishel explained in a confessional. “This dance is for you, Mr. Feeny. Thank you for always showing up even when the cameras stopped rolling.”
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