Boy Meets World alum William Daniels celebrates 96th birthday with his former co-stars in Chicago

Two-time Emmy winner William Daniels celebrated his 96th birthday this weekend in Chicago with his wife of 71 years, Bonnie Bartlett, as well as five other castmates from ABC’s Boy Meets World.

The Brooklyn native – who also starred in St. Elsewhere and Knight Rider – played the familiar role of Cory Matthews’ (Ben Savage) wise neighbor and teacher George Feeny in all seven seasons of Michael Jacobs and April Kelly’s sitcom, which aired from 1993-2000.

William — who commands $150 on Cameo — was joined Saturday at a restaurant for a celebratory birthday dinner with Anthony Tyler Quinn, Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, Will Friedle, William Daniels and Trina McGee.

Last Friday, the same group reunited on the main stage at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2023 for a nostalgic panel and the audience sweetly serenaded Daniels with the happy birthday song.

“I think Mr. Feeny has become me,” William admitted onstage.

“I think the one I remember most was the last episode. And they all left the stage one by one. And you know, the role I played could be quite persistent and demanding. So I thought I wanted to give my opinion.

And I just said to those who would have just left the stage that “I love you all.” And that was one of my favorite moments on the show.”

Daniels also remembered the moment when a school bus full of kids once screamed ‘Feeny! Feeny!’ to him in the street and ‘I fled back. I couldn’t handle it.’

“I never realized that Mr. Feeny became a familiar figure to people,” the Northwestern University graduate said on stage.

“A good actor will try to convey as much of himself as possible in the play that is on the written page so that it becomes real to an audience. And the actors who forget that don’t do very well.

‘And so that’s what I did. And especially with these wonderful people that I worked with, I brought myself into it just as much as Mr. Feeny did, and that seemed to be going well.”

William later reprized his beloved character in five episodes of Michael Jacobs and April Kelly’s continuation Girl Meets World, which aired on the Disney Channel for three seasons spanning 2014-2017.

Fans who missed Boy Meets World’s 30th anniversary reunion can attend the next one at That’s 4 Entertainment’s 90s Con Florida, taking place September 15-17 in Tampa.

That reunion will feature the same group – William Daniels, Bonnie Bartlett, Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, Will Friedle and Trina McGee – plus Betsy Randle, William Russ, Matthew Lawrence and Lee Norris.

Notably absent from all the reunion festivities was Ben Savage, the show’s leader, who announced on March 6 that he wanted to replace Adam Schiff as the Democratic leader of California’s 30th congressional district.

‘Together we can do better. I am a proud Californian, union member and long-time resident of District 30, who comes from a family of unwavering service to our country and community,” says the 42-year-old former child star wrote.

‘I firmly believe in standing up for the good, ensuring equality and expanding opportunities for all. I am running for Congress because it is time to restore faith in government by providing reasonable, innovative, and compassionate solutions to our nation’s most pressing problems.

And it’s time for new and passionate leaders who can move our country forward. Leaders who want to see the government operating at full capacity, unfettered by political divisions and special interests. Please join our movement!’