Bill Daily
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Born Name:
William Edward Daily
Born Date: August 30, 1927
Born Place: Des Moines, Iowa
Died Date: September 4, 2018
Died Place: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Bill Daily best recognized for his iconic supporting roles in two of television's most enduring sitcoms. Known for his expert comedic timing and "second banana" charm, he famously portrayed the bumbling astronaut Major Roger Healey on I Dream of Jeannie and the quirky, often-confused airline navigator Howard Borden on The Bob Newhart Show.
Early Life and Military Service:
Born William Edward Daily on August 30, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, he moved with his family to Chicago in 1939. He initially pursued a career as a professional musician, playing the upright bass in jazz bands across the Midwest. During the Korean War, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in an artillery unit before being transferred to an entertainment unit to perform for the troops.
Career Highlights:
Daily's transition into acting began in the late 1950s after he studied at the Goodman Theatre School.
Breakthrough: After guest spots on shows like Bewitched, he landed his career-defining role as Roger Healey in I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970).
Sitcom Success: He followed this with a long run on The Bob Newhart Show (1972–1978). His catchphrase, "Hi, Bob!", became so popular it inspired a well-known drinking game.
Other Roles: In the 1980s, he had a recurring role as Dr. Larry Dykstra, the psychiatrist on ALF, and briefly starred in his own sitcom, Small & Frye.
Behind the Scenes: Beyond acting, Daily was a staff director for NBC in Chicago and served as the director of the New Mexico Film Commission starting in 1987.
Born Date: August 30, 1927
Born Place: Des Moines, Iowa
Died Date: September 4, 2018
Died Place: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Bill Daily best recognized for his iconic supporting roles in two of television's most enduring sitcoms. Known for his expert comedic timing and "second banana" charm, he famously portrayed the bumbling astronaut Major Roger Healey on I Dream of Jeannie and the quirky, often-confused airline navigator Howard Borden on The Bob Newhart Show.
Early Life and Military Service:
Born William Edward Daily on August 30, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, he moved with his family to Chicago in 1939. He initially pursued a career as a professional musician, playing the upright bass in jazz bands across the Midwest. During the Korean War, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in an artillery unit before being transferred to an entertainment unit to perform for the troops.
Career Highlights:
Daily's transition into acting began in the late 1950s after he studied at the Goodman Theatre School.
Breakthrough: After guest spots on shows like Bewitched, he landed his career-defining role as Roger Healey in I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970).
Sitcom Success: He followed this with a long run on The Bob Newhart Show (1972–1978). His catchphrase, "Hi, Bob!", became so popular it inspired a well-known drinking game.
Other Roles: In the 1980s, he had a recurring role as Dr. Larry Dykstra, the psychiatrist on ALF, and briefly starred in his own sitcom, Small & Frye.
Behind the Scenes: Beyond acting, Daily was a staff director for NBC in Chicago and served as the director of the New Mexico Film Commission starting in 1987.