Bill Daily (1927-2018) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 09-08-2018, 12:40 AM

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Bill Daily, the affable TV actor who starred as Major Roger Healey in “I Dream of Jeannie” as well as on “The Bob Newhart Show,” died Sept. 4 in Santa Fe, N.M., his son J. Patrick Daily confirmed. He was 91.

“He loved every sunset, he loved every meal — he just decided to be happy about everything,” said his son.

The longtime Albuquerque resident was a staple on series of the 1960s through 1980s. He appeared as Bob Newhart’s pilot neighbor Howard Borden on “The Bob Newhart Show” and as psychiatrist Dr. Larry Dykstra on “ALF.”

On “I Dream of Jeannie,” he co-starred with Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden on all five seasons of the NBC sitcom as Captain and then Major Healey, the best friend and fellow astronaut to Hagman, who at one point steals Jeannie but later returns her to her master.

In 1980, Daily briefly had his own TV series, “Small & Frye,” but it lasted only three months. A longtime magic fan, he hosted several magic specials.

His other TV appearances included “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.”

He returned for several “I Dream of Jeannie” and “The Bob Newhart Show” reunion specials in the 1980s and ’90s. Daily also served as director of the New Mexico Film Commission in the late 1980s.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Daily was raised in Chicago and started out doing stand-up and announcing at a Chicago TV station.

He is survived by his son J. Patrick Daily, a key grip for motion pictures

rusty spike · 09-08-2018, 02:50 AM

He was so funny on IDOJ.

May he reast in peace.

80sTrivia · 09-08-2018, 09:16 AM

I just read Barbara Eden's beautiful memorial post to Bill on her official Instagram account...

So very sad. He was such a funny actor who brought so much laughter to his performances on I Dream of Jeannie and The Bob Newhart Show. He will be missed...

Mr. Television · 09-08-2018, 10:16 AM

He was such a great character actor. He just felt like a good friend. R.I.P. Bill.

MA · 09-08-2018, 10:27 AM

R.I.P.

king of comedy · 09-08-2018, 10:51 AM

Oh no! So sad. He was a very actor. Now Barbara Eden is the sole survivor of the show. R.I.P. Bill.

Bonniegirl · 09-08-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

He was such a great character actor. He just felt like a good friend. R.I.P. Bill.

Yeah, Totally!

I loved him as Howard on Bob Newhart!

Sad to hear of his passing!

! RIP Mr.Daily!

Dude111 · 09-08-2018, 02:49 PM

So sad.........

PhoenixAcres · 09-08-2018, 02:52 PM

This is devastating to hear.

He was such a funny man and great actor.

RIP

Ohio8 · 09-08-2018, 05:07 PM

Rookielove · 09-09-2018, 11:20 PM

I was so saddened to hear the news about Mr. Bill Daily who was our loveable Major Healy. The friendship between Major Healy and Major Nelson is one of my all-time favorites. And I loved Major Nelson, Major Healy, and Jeannie as a trio. RIP Major Healy/Bill Daily. You will be missed.

PracTz · 09-10-2018, 08:59 AM

In addition to all of Mr. Daily's great onscreen work, I imagine that he was a was a bit of 'rodeo clown' and peacemaker which likely was sorely needed to keep things from getting too tense between Mr. Hagman and the rest of the cast & crew.

(Yes, I have to feel sorry for Miss Eden [now the last surviving cast member] who seemed to be very easy to get along with but ALSO had to be a peacemaker re Mr. Hagman's temper and stunts- despite the fact that it was HER show)

At least on 'Bob Newhart', there doesn't seem to have been any egomaniac divas despite the talent and pedigrees of the performers (including Miss Pleshette) so I imagine he was able to relax a bit.

RIP, Major Healy and Howard Borden!

AB · 09-10-2018, 04:50 PM

May he rest in peace.

king of comedy · 02-10-2019, 12:50 AM

He was also a talented musician. He played jazz on the show.

CosmicCharlie · 03-14-2019, 10:51 PM

Daly had the perfect timing - and like Gracie Allen was the king of confusing everyone especially on Bob Newhart Show !

09-08-2018, 12:40 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	Bill Daily (1927-2018) Link Bill Daily, the affable TV actor who starred as Major Roger Healey in “I Dream of Jeannie” as well as on “The Bob Newhart Show,” died Sept. 4 in Santa Fe, N.M., his son J. Patrick Daily confirmed. He was 91. “He loved every sunset, he loved every meal — he just decided to be happy about everything,” said his son. The longtime Albuquerque resident was a staple on series of the 1960s through 1980s. He appeared as Bob Newhart’s pilot neighbor Howard Borden on “The Bob Newhart Show” and as psychiatrist Dr. Larry Dykstra on “ALF.” On “I Dream of Jeannie,” he co-starred with Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden on all five seasons of the NBC sitcom as Captain and then Major Healey, the best friend and fellow astronaut to Hagman, who at one point steals Jeannie but later returns her to her master. In 1980, Daily briefly had his own TV series, “Small & Frye,” but it lasted only three months. A longtime magic fan, he hosted several magic specials. His other TV appearances included “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.” He returned for several “I Dream of Jeannie” and “The Bob Newhart Show” reunion specials in the 1980s and ’90s. Daily also served as director of the New Mexico Film Commission in the late 1980s. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Daily was raised in Chicago and started out doing stand-up and announcing at a Chicago TV station. He is survived by his son J. Patrick Daily, a key grip for motion pictures

09-08-2018, 09:16 AM	#3
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	I just read Barbara Eden's beautiful memorial post to Bill on her official Instagram account... So very sad. He was such a funny actor who brought so much laughter to his performances on I Dream of Jeannie and The Bob Newhart Show. He will be missed...
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09-08-2018, 10:16 AM	#4
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	He was such a great character actor. He just felt like a good friend. R.I.P. Bill.
	__________________ Sonny

09-08-2018, 10:27 AM	#5
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,248	R.I.P.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

09-08-2018, 05:07 PM	#10
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,906	Attached Images

09-08-2018, 02:50 AM	#2
rusty spike Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,124	He was so funny on IDOJ. May he reast in peace.

09-08-2018, 10:51 AM	#6
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Oh no! So sad. He was a very actor. Now Barbara Eden is the sole survivor of the show. R.I.P. Bill.

09-08-2018, 02:49 PM	#8
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,822	So sad.........

09-08-2018, 02:52 PM	#9
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	This is devastating to hear. He was such a funny man and great actor. RIP

09-09-2018, 11:20 PM	#11
Rookielove Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 14, 2011 Location: America Posts: 235	I was so saddened to hear the news about Mr. Bill Daily who was our loveable Major Healy. The friendship between Major Healy and Major Nelson is one of my all-time favorites. And I loved Major Nelson, Major Healy, and Jeannie as a trio. RIP Major Healy/Bill Daily. You will be missed.

09-10-2018, 08:59 AM	#12
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	In addition to all of Mr. Daily's great onscreen work, I imagine that he was a was a bit of 'rodeo clown' and peacemaker which likely was sorely needed to keep things from getting too tense between Mr. Hagman and the rest of the cast & crew. (Yes, I have to feel sorry for Miss Eden [now the last surviving cast member] who seemed to be very easy to get along with but ALSO had to be a peacemaker re Mr. Hagman's temper and stunts- despite the fact that it was HER show) At least on 'Bob Newhart', there doesn't seem to have been any egomaniac divas despite the talent and pedigrees of the performers (including Miss Pleshette) so I imagine he was able to relax a bit. RIP, Major Healy and Howard Borden!

09-10-2018, 04:50 PM	#13
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	May he rest in peace.

02-10-2019, 12:50 AM	#14
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	He was also a talented musician. He played jazz on the show.

03-14-2019, 10:51 PM	#15
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,421	Daly had the perfect timing - and like Gracie Allen was the king of confusing everyone especially on Bob Newhart Show !