It happens like clockwork. You’re scrolling through your feed, maybe feeling a little nostalgic for 90s TGIF lineups, and suddenly you see a headline or a stray comment about the passing of a legend. Your heart sinks. You think, Wait, did Mr. Feeny actually die? If you’ve been searching for the William Daniels Jr. cause of death, you aren't alone, but there is a massive amount of confusion to wade through.
Honestly, the internet is a weird place. It’s a mix of real-life tragedies, celebrity death hoaxes, and the "Mandela Effect" where thousands of people swear they remember a funeral that never happened.
Here’s the thing: to talk about this accurately, we have to look at two very different stories. One is a heartbreaking piece of family history from the 1960s. The other is a series of obituaries for non-celebrities that share a very famous name.
What Really Happened with William Daniels Jr.
When most people search for this, they are looking for the iconic actor William Daniels—the man who gave us George Feeny on Boy Meets World, Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere, and the voice of KITT in Knight Rider.
As of early 2026, William Daniels is very much alive. He recently celebrated his 98th birthday.
However, the specific name "William Daniels Jr." carries a heavy weight for the actor and his wife of over 70 years, Bonnie Bartlett. In 1961, the couple welcomed their first child, a son they named William Daniels Jr. Tragically, the infant died just 24 hours after birth.
👉 See also: Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper: The Affair That Nearly Broke Hollywood
That is the actual, factual William Daniels Jr. cause of death—a neonatal tragedy that occurred decades ago. Bonnie Bartlett has been open about this in recent years, especially in her memoir, Middle of the Rainbow. She described the experience as a "terrible, terrible time" that nearly broke them. They eventually went on to adopt two sons, Michael and Robert, but the loss of their firstborn remained a private scar for a long time.
The Confusion of the Name
Why does this keep popping up in Google searches now? Basically, it's a perfect storm of factors.
First, several men named William Daniels Jr. (who were not the actor) have passed away in recent years. For instance:
- William Elton "Sonny" Daniels Jr. passed away in November 2023 in Tennessee.
- William Arthur "Art" Daniels Jr., a talented musician and boxer, died in 2021.
- William Lennon Daniels Jr. died in a tragic home accident in 2014.
When these obituaries hit the web, algorithms sometimes pick up the name and push it to fans of the actor. You see a headline that says "William Daniels Jr. Obituary," and your brain immediately goes to the guy from Boy Meets World. It’s a natural reaction.
Why People Think Mr. Feeny Passed Away
It’s kind of wild how many people are convinced they remember William Daniels dying years ago. On platforms like Reddit, there are entire threads of people claiming they remember a "tribute" episode of Girl Meets World dedicated to his memory.
✨ Don't miss: What Really Happened With the Death of John Candy: A Legacy of Laughter and Heartbreak
That never happened.
What actually happened was a very emotional series finale. In the final scene of Boy Meets World, Mr. Feeny stands alone in his classroom and says, "I love you all. Class dismissed." It felt like a goodbye to a generation. Then, in the sequel series Girl Meets World, he appeared in a handful of episodes. There was one specific scene where he appeared as a sort of "vision" or memory to Cory Matthews, which led some viewers to mistakenly think the character (or the actor) had passed.
He didn't. He's actually been quite active lately. Just last year, he was doing Cameo videos for fans and appearing at fan conventions like 90s Con. His wife, Bonnie, mentioned in a recent interview that she makes sure he gets his daily exercise because his "body is very strong" even as he approaches 100.
Celebrity Death Hoaxes in 2026
We also have to blame the "death hoax" industry. Websites frequently use clickbait titles about a William Daniels Jr. cause of death to lure in nostalgic Millennials. They use a black-and-white photo of the actor, a vague headline, and then bury the fact that they're talking about someone else—or no one at all—deep in the text.
It's frustrating. It's also why it's so important to check reputable sources like The Hollywood Reporter or Variety before mourning.
🔗 Read more: Is There Actually a Wife of Tiger Shroff? Sorting Fact from Viral Fiction
Honoring the Legacy
If you’re here because you love William Daniels, the best thing you can do isn't searching for an obituary. It’s celebrating the fact that he’s still here.
He’s a bridge to a different era of Hollywood. He started as a child performer in the 1940s! Think about that. He’s been in the business for over 80 years. From playing John Adams in 1776 to mentoring Cory, Shawn, and Topanga, his range is basically unmatched.
If you want to support him today, he and his son Michael run an official website where they sell signed memorabilia. It’s a way for him to stay connected to the fans who still look at him as the ultimate teacher.
What to Do Next
Instead of worrying about rumors, here is how you can actually engage with his work:
- Watch the Classics: If you've only seen him as Feeny, go back and watch St. Elsewhere. He won two Emmys for that role for a reason.
- Read the History: Pick up Bonnie Bartlett’s book. It gives a raw, honest look at their marriage and the loss of their first son, William Jr.
- Verify the News: If you see a "breaking" report about a celebrity death, look for a second or third confirmation from a major news outlet before sharing it on social media.
The William Daniels Jr. cause of death isn't a recent news story; it’s a piece of a long, complicated, and ultimately very successful life story. He is still here, still sharp, and still the man who told us to "believe in yourselves, dream, try, do good."
Notice he didn't say "do well." He said "do good." That’s a lesson worth remembering while he’s still around to teach it.