Was William Daniels in the military? All we know as Cinema icon celebrates 98th birthday

Born in 1927, William Daniels celebrated his 98th birthday on March 31.

The Brooklyn native has been working as an actor across theater, TV, and movies since the 1940s. Before pursuing a career in show business, the Boy Meets World star was an army man. According to VA News (Veteran Affairs News), Bill was in service during World War II, posted at an Armed Forces in Livorno, Italy.

William Daniels also spoke on VA News’ Borne the Battle podcast in 2018, talking about his time in the US Army during WWII. Bill told the host and Marine veteran, Timothy Lawson, about receiving basic training in Little Rock, Arkansas, Camp Joseph T. Robinson. Daniels revealed that he was in the “middle of basic training” when the US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. He added:

“It was the end of the war after Nagasaki, and the uh… I was shipped out to Italy where I was pulled off a troop train by a fella, who didn’t tell me anything except, ‘Yo! Come with me,’ [Chuckle]. And he drove me to a building that had been a Nazi headquarters. A two-story building, nothing presupposing, where there was a radio station.”

William Daniels recounted about the radio station in Livorno, where he was posted with his fellow soldiers, who went through “actual war.” Bill revealed that after the other army men left for home, he took charge of the radio station. He continued:

“We had maybe six or seven fellas there, announcers and technicians. And, I spent the rest of my career in the Army there in Livorno in this radio station.”

According to VA News, William Daniels attended Northwestern University after leaving the US Army. He used the GI Bill to attend the institute to study drama and then pursue his acting career. Bill began with Broadway and found success on TV.

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Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels recently launched an online store for signed merchandise

Bill, 98, has received love from his admirers for decades, be it for his voice role in KITT or for playing George Feeny on Boy Meets World. The actor, known for portraying the members of the Adams political family, recently launched an online store with his wife. The Emmy-winning actor couple has listed their autographed merchandise, including photos, books, and t-shirts. William Daniels announced via his social media handles and wrote:

“The wait is over! My son, Rob, had the great idea for Bonnie and me to launch our very own online store! There, you’ll find all your favorite autographed photos, plus books and t-shirts that are often requested by fans we meet in person.”

Bill also revealed that the website will also feature “more merchandise” in the future, “including some items” he and Bonnie have collected over their careers. The t-shirts listed on billandbonniedaniels.com feature the original artwork from Bonnie and William’s granddaughter, Shaina. He concluded the post by writing:

“I can’t believe we’re so “online” at the ages of 98 and 96, but I’m amazed you can meet new friends from all over the world this way. Our community means a lot to us.”

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William Daniels celebrated his 98th birthday on Monday

The army veteran and iconic actor turned 98 on March 31 and was accompanied by his wife, Bonnie Bartlett. Forbes senior contributor Jeff Conway, who brought Bill a cake, posted his latest picture to wish him well.

Previously, People Magazine spoke with Bonnie and William to learn more about the latter’s birthday plans. Bill told the outlet that he intends to celebrate his 98th birthday in ‘peace and quiet,’ while Bonnie revealed:

“We have our son here in town and he will do something special. Bill just booked a breakfast with an old friend who was his trainer, taught him how to box, and he sees him every once in a while. So they just booked a breakfast.”

Bonnie Bartlett, who will turn 96 in June, has been married to William Daniels since 1951. The actor couple will celebrate their 74th wedding anniversary later this year. They share two sons, whom they adopted in the 1960s after losing their firstborn.