William Daniels is an American actor born in 1927 in Brooklyn, New York City. He was born to bricklayer David Daniels and his wife Irene. Daniels was part of the singing Daniels family in Brooklyn and made his television debut in 1943 at the age of 16 as part of a variety act.
He made his Broadway debut in the comedy play "Life With Father" in 1943. Until the 1960s, Daniels was primarily a theatrical actor, with a few guest star roles in television. He received an Obie Award for his role in the play "The Zoo Story" in 1958.
Daniels made his film debut in 1963 in the Cold War-themed thriller "Ladybug Ladybug". He then appeared in the comedy-drama film "A Thousand Clowns" in 1965 and had a supporting role in "The Graduate" in 1967.
In the 1960s, Daniels found his first major television role in the superhero comedy "Captain Nice" in 1967. He played police chemist Carter Nash, who could transform into the superhero Captain Nice.
In the 1970s, Daniels' most prominent role was that of John Adams in the film adaptation of "1776" in 1972. He also played John Quincy Adams in the historical television series "The Adams Chronicles" in 1976.
In the 1980s, Daniels voiced KITT, an artificially intelligent electronic computer module in the body of a robotic automobile, in the crime drama series "Knight Rider" from 1982 to 1986. He also played surgeon Dr. Mark Craig in the medical drama "St. Elsewhere" from 1982 to 1988.
In the 1990s, Daniels played KITT again in the television film "Knight Rider 2000" in 1991. He had a prominent role in the sitcom "Boy Meets World" from 1993 to 2000 as teacher George Feeny.
In the 2000s, Daniels provided voice roles for animated television series, such as "Kim Possible" and "The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy". He also guest starred as KITT in two episodes of the animated sitcom "The Simpsons" in 1998 and 2000.
In the 2010s, Daniels reprised his role as George Feeny in the sitcom series "Girl Meets World" from 2014 to 2017.
By 2020, Daniels was 92 years old, one of the oldest living actors.
