William Daniels

Often plays members of the famous Adams family of early American history. Has played John Adams (in the feature film 1776 (1972), the television mini-series The Rebels (1979), and the original play of "1776" on Broadway beginning in March 1969) and his son John Quincy Adams (in the television mini-series The Adams Chronicles (1976)).as well as their cousin Samuel Adams (in the television mini-series The Bastard (1978)).

William Daniels is an American actor, born in Brooklyn, New York City. He was born in 1927, to bricklayer David Daniels and his wife Irene. Daniels was a member of the singing Daniels family in Brooklyn.

In 1936, at almost 9, Daniels began performing on children's radio, for the first time, with one of his sisters.

That same year, Daniels made his Broadway debut in the comedy play "Life With Father" (1939) by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

His sister is Carol "Termite" Daniels, who was a child radio star in the 1940s.

As a child, he was part of the Daniels Family song-and-dance troupe that traveled in and around the state of New York. His entire family appeared on one of the first experimental TV broadcasts in 1941.

He made his television debut in 1943 at the age of 16, as part of a variety act.

Before he was a successful actor, he began his career in 1945, aged 18, he was drafted in Italy, where he served as an Army radio station disc jockey.

For his role in the play "The Zoo Story" (1958) by Edward Albee, Daniels received an Obie Award.

Until the 1960s, Daniels was primarily a theatrical actor, with a few guest star roles in television.

Daniels made his film debut in 1963, at the age of 36.

He debuted in the Cold War-themed thriller "Ladybug Ladybug" (1963), where he played school principal Mr. Calkins.

His next film role was the comedy-drama film "A Thousand Clowns" (1965), where he played child welfare worker Albert Amundson.

Daniels had a supporting role in "The Graduate" (1967), playing the father of protagonist Benjamin Braddock (played by Dustin Hoffman).

Daniels found his first major television role in the superhero comedy "Captain Nice" (1967). He played police chemist Carter Nash, who could transform into the superhero Captain Nice by drinking a super serum. In both identities, Nash was a mild-mannered mama's boy, who was pressured into a crime-fighting career by his mother (played by Alice Ghostley). He was clumsy as a hero, and had a crippling fear of heights.

Nominated for a Tony as Supporting Actor in a Musical for his lead role of John Adams in the 1969 musical "1776." He could not be nominated for lead actor because he did not then have star billing (i.e., above the title). Adams is clearly the lead role in 1776 (1972), so Daniels declined the nomination.

The series lasted only 15 episodesIn the 1970s, Daniel's most prominent role was that of John Adams in the film adaptation of "1776" (1972).

He also played John Quincy Adams in the historical television series "The Adams Chronicles" (1976).

He had a regular role in the sitcom "The Nancy Walker Show" (1976) as Lt. Commander Kenneth Kitteridge of the United States Navy. Kenneth was the loving husband of protagonist Nancy Kitteridge (played by Nancy Walker). The series lasted for 13 episodes.

In the crime drama series "Knight Rider" (1982-1986), Daniels voiced KITT, an artificially intelligent electronic computer module in the body of a robotic automobile. The series lasted for 90 episodes. The series was very popular in its time, and has had a large number of sequels and spin-offs. Daniels also played surgeon Dr. Mark Craig in the medical drama "St.

Elsewhere" (1982-1988). The setting was St. Eligius Hospital, a decaying urban teaching hospital in Boston. The series lasted for 137 episodes and garnered 62 Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Daniels guest starred as KITT in two episodes of the animated sitcom "The Simpsons" (1989-).

He had a prominent role in the sitcom "Boy Meets World" (1993-2000) as teacher George Feeny, a strict but loving mentor to protagonist Cory Matthews (played by Ben Savage). The series lasted for 158 episodes, and Feeny was one of Daniel's most recognizable roles.

The episodes were "The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace" (1998) and "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore".

Elected president of the Screen Actors Guild, upsetting incumbent Richard Masur, as well as candidate Angel Tompkins, who conjoined her two names to call herself "Angeltompkins" so she could be listed first on the ballot(!) The SAG president serves a two-year term. [November 1999]

Daniels played KITT again in the television film "Knight Rider 2000" (1991).

Daniels also voiced a Hospital Ship in the episode "Critical Care" (2000) of the science fiction series "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995-2001).

In the 2000s, Daniels provided voice roles for animated television series, such as "Kim Possible" and "The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy".

His most prominent role in the 2010s was that of George Feeny again, who appeared in 5 episodes of the sitcom series "Girl Meets World" (2014-2017). It was a sequel series to "Boy Meets World" , featuring the life of Cory Matthews as a teacher and father.

He endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.

As of 2018, he has appeared in two films nominated for Best Picture Academy Award: A Thousand Clowns (1965) and The Graduate (1967).