Bill Daily, the actor best known for playing Major Healey in the classic television sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie” died on September 4 at the age of 91. According to Variety, Bill Daily’s death was officially confirmed by his son J. Patrick Daily. Per Patrick, his father Bill died peacefully in Santa Fe, N.M. from natural causes.
“He loved every sunset, he loved every meal — he just decided to be happy about everything,” J. Patrick Daily added.
Following his five-season run starring alongside Larry Hagman, (Major Nelson” and Barbara Eden (Jeannie) Bill Daily went on to play Howard Borden ob the popular CBS hit “The Bob Newhart Show” from 1972-1978.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfa2quCAAFE
Bob Newhart spoke out on Bill Daily’s death remembering his dear sitcom co-star saying, “I called him our bullpen man. Whenever we were having trouble with a script on the show, we’d have Bill make an appearance,” Newhart said.
“He was one of the most positive people I ever knew and we’ll dearly miss him” Newhart added.
Bill Daily’s lifetime acting credits also include roles on “Bewitched,” “Love Boat,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and “Love, American Style,” as well as recurring roles in the 1980s on “Aloha Paradise” and “Starting from Scratch.” Bill Daily’s last acting role is listed as playing the Grandpa in the feature film “Horrorween” in 2010. From 2011 on, Daily reportedly spent out his final years enjoying family and retirement.
Following his television career, Daily also served as director of the New Mexico Film Commission in the late 1980s. Bill was previously married three times – first to Patricia Anderson in 1949 before they divorced in 1976. He then wed Vivian Sanchez but they later split.
His third marriage was to Becky Daily and the two stayed together until her death in 2010. He is survived by his son J. Patrick Daily, and daughters, Kimberley Daily and Becca Daily.
