William Daniels at 99: The Voice Behind KITT, Mr. Feeny and a 75-Year Marriage

Some actors are remembered for a single unforgettable performance. Others manage to become part of several generations, sometimes without audiences even seeing their faces.

William Daniels belongs firmly in the second group.

At 99 years old, the veteran American actor has a career stretching across theater, film and television. To some viewers, he will forever be the unmistakable voice of KITT, the extraordinarily intelligent talking car from Knight Rider. To others, he is George Feeny, the demanding but compassionate teacher from Boy Meets World.

Yet away from those famous roles is another remarkable part of his story.

Daniels has shared most of his adult life with actress Bonnie Bartlett. The couple married on June 30, 1951, and in June 2026 they reached an extraordinary milestone: their 75th wedding anniversary.

But Daniels’ story began long before either KITT or Mr. Feeny entered popular culture.

A Career That Started Decades Before Television Fame

William David Daniels was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 31, 1927.

His performing career began when he was young, and his professional experience ultimately stretched across Broadway, television and motion pictures. Long before younger audiences discovered him through popular television series, Daniels had already built an extensive career as a serious actor.

His screen credits eventually included films such as The Graduate, in which he portrayed Mr. Braddock, and television productions that demonstrated a range far wider than the two roles for which many viewers know him today.

Then came a part in the 1980s that required something unusual.

Audiences would hear Daniels constantly — but they would not normally see him.

The Voice That Turned a Car Into a Character

In Knight Rider, David Hasselhoff played Michael Knight, but his technologically advanced Pontiac Trans Am had a personality of its own.