William Daniels

William Daniels
Daniels at the Emmy Awards September 20, 1987
President of the Screen Actors Guild
In office 1999–2001
Preceded by	Richard Masur
Succeeded by	Melissa Gilbert
Personal details
Born	William David Daniels (1927-03-31) March 31, 1927 (age 89) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Bonnie Bartlett (1951-present, 3 children)
Alma mater	Northwestern University
Occupation	Film, television, stage actor

William David Daniels (born March 31, 1927) is an American actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild (1999 to 2001).

He is known for his performance as Dustin Hoffman's character's father in The Graduate (1967), as Howard in Two for the Road, as John Adams in 1776, as Carter Nash in Captain Nice, as Mr. George Feeny in ABC's Boy Meets World and its sequel, Disney Channel's Girl Meets World, as the voice of KITT in Knight Rider, and as Dr. Mark Craig in St. Elsewhere, for which he won two Emmy Awards.

William Daniels was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Irene and David Daniels, although he has spoken with a Boston Brahmin accent (with some transatlantic influence) in many of his roles. His father was a builder. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1949, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

William Daniels began his career as a member of the singing Daniels family in Brooklyn, New York. He made his television debut as part of a variety act (along with other members of his family) in 1943, on NBC, then a single station in New York. He made his Broadway debut in 1945 in Life With Father, and remained a busy Broadway actor for decades afterwards. His Broadway credits include roles in 1776, A Thousand Clowns, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and A Little Night Music. He earned an Obie Award for The Zoo Story (1960).