William Daniels
William David Daniels ( born March 31, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York ) is an American actor and former president of the U.S. Screen Actors Guild.
Start of career
Daniels had his first experience in show business at an early childhood as a singer and dancer on the side of his sisters Jacqueline Carol. In addition to radio appearances siblings were soon also in children's programs on television. As a teenager, Daniel was promoted by the author Howard Lindsay, on whose recommendation he studying Performing Arts at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois recorded after high school, and in 1949 successfully completed. In addition, he attended Lee Strasberg's prestigious Actors Studio.
Stage
Over many decades, Daniels came again and again as an actor, singer and dancer on Broadway in New York, on the off-Broadway and on tour stages. He played character roles like that of " Jimmy Porter" in Edward Albee's look back in anger, that of the " Albert Amundsen " in Herb Gardner's Thousand Clowns and the " Brick" in Tennessee Williams Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, for which he personally by the author was chosen. His portrayal of " Peter " in the first U.S. production of Albee's The Zoo Story in 1960 earned him both an Obie Award and the Clarence Derwent Award. He achieved great success in 1969 with his portrayal of John Adams in the musical 1776 by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone. A total of 954 time, he embodied the first U.S. vice president on Broadway as well as in 1972 in the eponymous film version of the musical.
Film and Television
1963 gave Daniels his feature film debut in the anti-war film Ladybug Ladybug. In his more than four decades extensive film career, he starred in productions such as Mike Nichols ' The Graduate ( as the father of only ten years younger Dustin Hoffman ), Stanley Donen drama Two for the Road, the thriller The Third in ambush ( with James Garner as Philip Marlowe ), Carl Reiner's comedy Oh, God! and the charming loudmouth, the adventure film The Blue Lagoon, Warren Beatty's Reds and the Oscar-winner drama Blake Edwards ' comedy Blind Date - Rendezvous with a Stranger with Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger in the lead roles.
" St. Elsewhere " and "Life and I "
A wide audience Daniels, however, was primarily known for his television roles: in 1967 he received the lead role as a superhero in the short-lived fantasy series The Secret of the Blue drops. From 1982 to 1988 he finally embodied the sharp-tongued but lovable doctor, " Dr. Mark Craig " in the television series St. Elsewhere. This performance earned Daniels a total of five nominations for the Emmy. Twice he was able to take the coveted trophy home. In addition, he was awarded the Viewers for Quality Television Award in two consecutive years for this role. In addition, he was for a time also worked for the series as a director.
A hitherto last major series role was played Daniels in 1993 as "Mr. George Feeny, " always correct school principal and equally helpful neighbor of the young main character in the sitcom Life and I, which was produced until 2000.
Speech and series roles
In addition, Daniels worked regularly as a speaker for animated characters, such as in the series The Simpsons and Kim Possible. An English-speaking audience is his voice but mainly known for the Knight Rider series, for which he again in a television movie in 1991 the black Pontiac Trans Am " KITT " lent his voice between 1982 and 1986 as well.
In addition, he completed numerous guest appearances in television series such as Quincy, The Incredible Hulk, The King of Queens, Scrubs - The Beginners, Boston Legal, The Closer and Grey's Anatomy.
Screen Actors Guild
End of the 1990s, Daniels became increasingly involved in the U.S. Screen Actors Guild Screen Actors Guild, which he chaired from 1999 to 2001. This period was, among other things an actor - strike, which could be completed with positive result for the union members.
Family
Since 1951, Daniels has been married to fellow actress Bonnie Bartlett, who also in film and television productions repeatedly portrayed his wife ( St. Elsewhere ). The couple has two sons, one of whom as an opera singer, the other is an artist.
Awards
In addition, the Northwestern University annually awards the William Daniels Awards (aka " Willie ") for the respective best performances in acting, directing and choreography of the productions shown on campus.