This Famous Hollywood Couple Endured the Loss of Their Son & Have Been Together for 73 Years – Inside Their Relationship

Their marriage began without romance, nearly unraveled from betrayal, and was saved by a cross-country move. After 73 years together, William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett are still each other’s greatest love story.

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett’s relationship has defied the odds in an industry known for breakups. However, from their early days as ambitious students to being beloved fixtures in American pop culture, their journey has been anything but picture-perfect.

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels celebrating their win at the Emmy Awards in Pasadena, California, on September 21, 1986. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels celebrating their win at the Emmy Awards in Pasadena, California, on September 21, 1986. | Source: Getty Images

Infidelity and the heartbreak of losing a child tested their relationship in ways that could have easily broken it. And yet, they held on. Here’s a look inside their extraordinary relationship and a love story that has endured for over seven decades.

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett sharing a kiss backstage at the Emmy Awards on September 21, 1986, in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett sharing a kiss backstage at the Emmy Awards on September 21, 1986, in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images

How a College Audition Sparked a Lifelong Love

Daniels and Bartlett have built a legacy in Hollywood that spans decades. He is best known for his roles as George Feeny in “Boy Meets World,” Dr. Craig in “St. Elsewhere,” and the voice of KITT in “Knight Rider.”

Bartlett, an acclaimed actress in her own right, earned accolades for her performances in shows like “St. Elsewhere” and “Little House on the Prairie.” However, their story began long before their fame.

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett photographed in 1986. | Source: Getty Images

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett photographed in 1986. | Source: Getty Images

The two first crossed paths at Northwestern University, where they studied acting. Daniels vividly recalled their first meeting. In a class where the teacher was casting a play, he remembered watching what he described as “dreadful” auditions.

Despite their awkward but charming first exchange, their connection quickly grew.

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett photographed at Sardi's Restaurant in New York on April 13, 1986. | Source: Getty Images

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett photographed at Sardi’s Restaurant in New York on April 13, 1986. | Source: Getty Images

Then, a voice from the back of the room that sounded like an actress caught his attention. He turned around and recalled seeing “this lovely blonde.”

After class, Daniels waited by the door for Bartlett. “I said, ‘How about a cup of coffee?’ And she said, ‘You’re too short.’ I said, ‘C’mon, have a cup of coffee.’ She said, ‘OK,'” he shared.

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett at the Jewish National Fund Annual Tree of Life Awards on December 11, 1986, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett at the Jewish National Fund Annual Tree of Life Awards on December 11, 1986, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Unbeknownst to Daniels at the time, Bartlett had already taken notice of him. “Turns out she heard I had been on Broadway,” he explained. “She had been following me around campus, I didn’t even know it.” Bartlett responded to his recollection, saying:

“True. I didn’t want to [be] a stalker. I didn’t want to interfere with his life and I never thought for a minute he’d be interested in me. So when I said, ‘You’re too short,’ I thought ‘Oh no, we’re wrong. You don’t want me.'”

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett filming "St. Elsewhere" in 1987. | Source: Getty Images

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett filming “St. Elsewhere” in 1987. | Source: Getty Images

Despite their awkward but charming first exchange, their connection quickly grew. They discovered a shared passion for acting and mutual respect for their talent and ambition. “We both have the same goals. We both liked acting,” Bartlett said.

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett of "St. Elsewhere" photographed in 1987. | Source: Getty Images

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett of “St. Elsewhere” photographed in 1987. | Source: Getty Images

“We both liked when the other one worked,” she continued. Daniels echoed her sentiment, adding, “There was never any jealousy between the two of us. We were happy when the other one was working.” That early understanding would become the foundation of a marriage that endured many trials and triumphs.

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on the set of "St. Elsewhere" circa 1987. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on the set of “St. Elsewhere” circa 1987. | Source: Getty Images

Weathering the Storm

Though Daniels and Bartlett’s marriage ultimately stood the test of time, its early years were marked by instability, painful betrayals, and emotional reckoning.

“That I’d spend my life with him, that never occurred to me. There was no plan. We were actors and trying to get work, and we liked being together,” Bartlett confessed.

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the NBC Affiliates Party on June 2, 1987, at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the NBC Affiliates Party on June 2, 1987, at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

The actress revealed in her memoir “Middle of the Rainbow” that she had an affair that lasted a few months in 1959.

Their decision to marry wasn’t rooted in romance and practicality. “And when we got married, I thought we just got married so that we could have sex really,” the actress shared.

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the "La Boheme" opening night performance on September 9, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the “La Boheme” opening night performance on September 9, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

“We got married for the expediency of it. This was not a romantic thing. It was probably as much mental and sexual. It was just a meeting of the minds and a meeting of the bodies,” she added.

After marrying in 1951, Daniels credited his wife’s presence as vital to his success in school, admitting, “If I hadn’t met Bonnie, I don’t think I would have gotten through.”

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 1987, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 1987, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. | Source: Getty Images

However, the couple faced years of turmoil while living in New York. During that time, both were unfaithful. “I guess it was a little bit of an open marriage at first, but that was very painful. That didn’t work well. And it was a time when people were doing that.” Bartlett revealed.

She added, “It was at a time in New York when there was a lot of sex and a lot of people doing all kinds of things, you know — very free. But I don’t know if there was a lack of commitment a little bit, and that’s not good. So there was a lot of pain connected with any transgression, with any extramarital thing.”

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett at the cocktail party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade on January 22, 1989, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett at the cocktail party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade on January 22, 1989, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

The actress revealed in her memoir “Middle of the Rainbow” that she had an affair that lasted a few months in 1959. However, Daniels’ affair with a New York-based producer in the early 1970s still left her wrecked. Despite the heartache, they stayed together.

Bartlett admitted, “I was always the one that would say to Bill, ‘I don’t think I want to be married to you anymore.’ And he’d say, ‘Oh, come on. You’re smitten with me. You’ve always been crazy about me.’ Every time I’ve questioned the relationship, he doesn’t take it seriously.”

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels circa 1989. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels circa 1989. | Source: Getty Images

Sadly, their struggles went beyond infidelity, as they also suffered a devastating loss.

Still, the emotional weight of their early years was undeniable. “It was very painful for the both of us. But it was something we had to go through because we never went through it. When we got together I was 18,” Bartlett said.

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the "Rambling Rose" premiere on September 19, 1991, at Mann National Theatre in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels at the “Rambling Rose” premiere on September 19, 1991, at Mann National Theatre in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images

“Bill was my first boyfriend…We just had to go through all that and still, we loved each other very much and always have. [We] have always been there for each other,” she continued.

“That’s what matters — if you’re there for the person and help [them] along in a relationship, [have] respect for them and what they’re doing and being there for them…[You have to] be together on the other side,” the actress added.

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels before greeting fans at Fraunces Tavern Museum on July 3, 2015, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels before greeting fans at Fraunces Tavern Museum on July 3, 2015, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Sadly, their struggles went beyond infidelity, as they also suffered the devastating loss of one of their sons. That tragedy and the emotional toll of their personal lives created a storm that might have ended many other relationships. But it didn’t end theirs.

Instead, the couple, who went on to welcome two boys, moved to Hollywood — and that shift marked a turning point. “Hollywood was really the saving grace for our marriage,” Bartlett explained.

She added, “Because once we got to Hollywood and we were here and living like a normal family and having weekends at home with our kids and doing things, it was [a] totally different story. Nobody wanted anything more than that.”

However, looking back years later, the actress saw those difficult times as necessary. “So much happens and you live — the good things, you hurt each other. We’ve hurt each other but you recover and you grow and you change and you adapt,” she revealed.

“You have to be able to adapt to the other person. You have to think of them first. It doesn’t happen overnight. It took us years to get to a real companionship marriage,” the Hollywood star added.

Lasting Love

After decades of trials, triumphs, and transformation, Daniels and Bartlett have emerged with an unshaken bond.

Reflecting on a marriage of over seven decades, the actress admitted, “I never expected it to be a marvelous, wonderful thing. I had no anticipation of that at all, and it just happened.”

Girl Doesn’t Invite Poor Granny to Fancy Wedding, Opens Her Old Rusty Gift Only after Her Death — Story of the Day

Jessica never appreciated her grandmother Donna and she would often mock her. In fact, when she got married, she didn’t even invite the poor woman. But the young lady regretted her decision when she opened her grandma’s wedding gift.

Jessica was born and raised in New York with business-oriented parents. Since she was a single child, she’d always been the center of attraction in her family, and her parents and grandmother had never let any of her requests go unanswered.

However, Jessica never appreciated their efforts and took them for granted. In fact, when she visited Donna’s house in Texas during her summer vacations, she was constantly annoyed with her, and when Donna’s health began to fail her, and she moved to New York, things only got worse.

Donna gifted an old chest to Jessica as a wedding present | Photo: Shutterstock

Donna gifted an old chest to Jessica as a wedding present | Photo: Shutterstock

One day, Donna decided to accompany Jessica to school because her parents had to leave urgently for work. Donna held Jessica’s hand at the crossing before the school because she was afraid to cross the road, but instead of standing by her grandmother, Jessica lashed out at her.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she snapped. “My friends will mock me if they see me coming to school with a poor old lady like you, so cross the road by yourself.”

Donna’s eyes welled up with tears. She swallowed her tears and struggled to cross the street that day, but Jessica wasn’t done mocking her.

Upon reaching the school, she didn’t even let Donna enter the campus. “You don’t have to come in, Grandma,” Jessica remarked. “You’ve already bothered me enough for the day, so go back home and ask mom to pick me up.”

The frail 80-year-old woman somehow hid her tears at her granddaughter’s remarks and strolled back home, hoping that things would change over time, but unfortunately, that did not happen.

Donna was hurt by Jessica's words | Photo: Pexels

Donna was hurt by Jessica’s words | Photo: Pexels

When Jessica turned 25, she announced her engagement to Edward. He was the son of her father’s business partner and was quite wealthy.

The families had planned for the wedding to take place a month after the engagement at the best wedding venue in New York. So when Jessica was putting together the guest list, she made sure Donna wasn’t on it.

“I have added everyone except Grandma because she won’t be coming,” Jessica said while they were discussing the wedding guests. “And I don’t want to talk about it any further.”

“But, honey,” her father explained, “she’s your grandmother. We can’t just abandon her like that!”

“He’s right, Jess,” her mother continued. “You can’t be so rude to her.”

“See guys, it’s MY wedding. Edward and I have waited for this moment for so long, and I don’t want to ruin it. Grandma is not up to our standard; let’s accept that, okay. So, SHE’S NOT COMING. Anyway, she’s living off us, so I don’t know how you guys will talk it out with her but make this clear to her,” Jessica said and walked away.

When everyone sat down for breakfast the following day, Jessica’s parents were still debating how to tell Donna about the conversation they had with their daughter the night before.

Donna was not invited to Jessica's wedding | Photo: Pexels

Donna was not invited to Jessica’s wedding | Photo: Pexels

But Donna had overhead everything, so before anyone else said anything, she spoke up. “I’m sorry, everyone,” she began. “I know Jessica’s wedding is next month, but I don’t think I’ll be able to attend.”

“That’s sad, Grandma,” Jessica responded, trying to hide her delight at her grandmother’s words. “But it’s okay, I understand.”

“I’m sure you do, honey,” Donna remarked. “I wish you two a happy married life!” Then the poor woman got up and left.

Jessica’s wedding took place a month later, and everything went exactly as she had planned. The wedding hall was beautiful, and most importantly, Donna wasn’t there. Jessica was thrilled, to say the least. But the next day, when she answered the door, she saw Donna standing there with an old chest in her hand.

“What on earth are you doing here?” Jessica exploded. “I told my in-laws you weren’t feeling well, that’s why you didn’t show up to the wedding. Do you want to expose me as a liar in front of them? Is this some sort of retaliation?”

“No, honey,” Donna clarified. “I just came to say hello and to give you your wedding gift. I could have parceled it to you, but I wanted to give it to you personally.”

Donna showed up at Jessica's doorstep the next day | Photo: Pexels

Donna showed up at Jessica’s doorstep the next day | Photo: Pexels

“There was no need for that, and I don’t need anything from you, so just go!” Jessica chastised. But then Edward came in and interrupted them. “What a delightful surprise, Mrs. Matthews! I heard you were ill. Are you feeling any better now?”

“Of course I am!” Donna cracked a grin. “I just came to say hello to you two. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the wedding.”

“Oh, it’s fine!” Edward explained. “Please come in.”

Edward escorted Donna inside, served her tea, and later drove her home. Jessica spoke politely to Donna in front of everyone and accepted her gift, but when she left, she threw it in the corner of her room and forgot about it.

In fact, she never contacted Donna after that day, and a few weeks later, she left with Edward for their honeymoon in Las Vegas. When she returned, though, she learned Donna had passed away. But Jessica was hardly concerned and was instead preoccupied with deciding which brand to wear to the funeral.

Finally, after two hours of perusing her outfits, she decided on a Gucci dress. She went on to look for matching earrings when her attention was drawn to the chest Donna had given her.

Donna had left a letter for Jessica | Photo: Pexels

Donna had left a letter for Jessica | Photo: Pexels

Oh, poor thing! Jessica said as she glanced at the rusty box. She could never match our standards. Did she really think I’d accept this disgusting chest as a gift?

However, when she opened it, her expression changed. The chest included an expensive diamond pendant, a photo album, and a note addressed to her on the top. Jessica unfolded the letter and began to read it.

“I’m sorry I could never provide you with the things you loved, Jessica,” it began. “But trust me, I love you a lot. I wanted to be the best grandmother to you, but fate had other plans for us.

“Anyway, I wish you a happy married life, honey. Edward is a wonderful man. Please accept this small gift from Grandma as a wedding present. And don’t be mad at me because I didn’t ask your parents for money. I used my savings and decided to give you something you’d like. I hope you won’t be ashamed of me this time. Love, Grandma Donna.”

Jessica’s eyes welled up as she finished reading the letter. She cautiously opened the pendant, and when she looked closer, she noticed a childhood photo of her with her grandma cuddling. They looked sweet and happy. The woman also looked through all her childhood pics in the big old photo album.

Jessica found a pendant inside the chest | Photo: Pexels

Jessica found a pendant inside the chest | Photo: Pexels

Jessica couldn’t fight back the tears at this point. “I’m so sorry, grandma. I always hated you, but all you did was love me. I’m sorry!” She burst out crying.

Later that day, when everyone left after the funeral, she sat beside her grandmother’s grave, clutching the old scarf that she always wore.

“I’m sorry, grandma,” she sobbed, holding her gift. “That I was never a granddaughter to you. I hope you’re happy wherever you are. I know nothing I do now will change anything, but I just want you to know how much I adore you!”

What can we learn from this story?

  • Act before it’s too late. Jessica realized her grandmother’s love for her, but it was too late by then.
  • Learn to be kind and respectful. Unlike Jessica, who did nothing but disrespect her grandmother all her life.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who follows the little boy who takes leftovers from her luxury restaurant every day and learns a shocking truth in the process.

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