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There I Go Again: How I Came to Be Mr. Feeny, John Adams, Dr. Craig, KITT, and Many Others
There I Go Again is a celebrity memoir like no other, revealing the life of a man whose acting career has been so rich that millions of Americans know his face even while they might not recognize his name.
William Daniels is an enigma—a rare chameleon who has enjoyed massive success both in Hollywood and on Broadway, embraced by fans of successive generations. Few of his peers inspire the fervor with which buffs celebrate his most iconic roles, among them George Feeny on Boy Meets World, KITT on Knight Rider, Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere, and John Adams in the play and film 1776.
Daniels guides readers through some of Hollywood’s most cherished productions, offering recollections of entertainment legends including Lauren Bacall, Warren Beatty, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Mike Nichols, Jason Robards, Barbra Streisand, and many more.
Looking back on his seventy-five-plus-year career, Daniels realizes that although he never had the courage to say “no” to being an actor, he backed into stardom. With his wife, actress Bonnie Bartlett, by his side, he came to realize that he wound up exactly where he was supposed to be on the screen and stage.
William Daniels is an enigma—a rare chameleon who has enjoyed massive success both in Hollywood and on Broadway, embraced by fans of successive generations. Few of his peers inspire the fervor with which buffs celebrate his most iconic roles, among them George Feeny on Boy Meets World, KITT on Knight Rider, Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere, and John Adams in the play and film 1776.
Daniels guides readers through some of Hollywood’s most cherished productions, offering recollections of entertainment legends including Lauren Bacall, Warren Beatty, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Mike Nichols, Jason Robards, Barbra Streisand, and many more.
Looking back on his seventy-five-plus-year career, Daniels realizes that although he never had the courage to say “no” to being an actor, he backed into stardom. With his wife, actress Bonnie Bartlett, by his side, he came to realize that he wound up exactly where he was supposed to be on the screen and stage.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2017
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1548 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
April 27, 2017
Did you really think Mr. Feeny would get anything less than five stars? What, are you new? (tm Cory Matthews)
Besides this obvious bias, I really did enjoy this book! It's well-written (he mentions he hand wrote it, on yellow legal pads!), entertaining, and it leaves you wanting more, in the best way. I learned a lot. I had no idea he was a child actor (on the radio - he's old) or that he considered himself a "song and dance man." He's really self-deprecating and, perhaps realistically, attributes a lot of his success to luck. He points out that many aspiring actors never make it, but somehow, he did. He's very proud of the longevity of his career, and you can tell not everyone in Hollywood equates longevity with success and that is a bit of a sore point with him. But, awesomely, he's most proud of his marriage. They've been married for over 60 years, both actors too! (The dean Feeny marries in BMW is his wife in real life!)
Great insights about acting in radio, theater, film, and TV. Although a bit of a curmudgeon, he's nothing but classy talking about his colleagues. A great read, and excuse me while I go watch 1776 and all 7 seasons of Boy Meets World again.
Besides this obvious bias, I really did enjoy this book! It's well-written (he mentions he hand wrote it, on yellow legal pads!), entertaining, and it leaves you wanting more, in the best way. I learned a lot. I had no idea he was a child actor (on the radio - he's old) or that he considered himself a "song and dance man." He's really self-deprecating and, perhaps realistically, attributes a lot of his success to luck. He points out that many aspiring actors never make it, but somehow, he did. He's very proud of the longevity of his career, and you can tell not everyone in Hollywood equates longevity with success and that is a bit of a sore point with him. But, awesomely, he's most proud of his marriage. They've been married for over 60 years, both actors too! (The dean Feeny marries in BMW is his wife in real life!)
Great insights about acting in radio, theater, film, and TV. Although a bit of a curmudgeon, he's nothing but classy talking about his colleagues. A great read, and excuse me while I go watch 1776 and all 7 seasons of Boy Meets World again.
April 13, 2018
There's a few three or less star reviews of this book because people wanted it to be all about Boy Meets World. I am one of the top die hard fans of Boy Meets World and Mr. Feeny, but it's important to remember this is William Daniels' autobiography of how he "Came To Be" all these beloved characters. This book was not advertised as "All the Fun Things That Happened Behind the Scenes of Boy Meets World". This is a book about a man, and the life he lived, while also portraying characters he didn't expect to be very popular at all.
This book was everything I wanted it to be: the story of William Daniels and an inside view of which roles he enjoyed and took pride in. I learned more from this book than I probably ever would have on my own time and now I have a handful of movies and shows to add to my "to watch" list. I appreciate William Daniels' honesty and humanity in this book, and I'm glad I took the time to read it.
This book was everything I wanted it to be: the story of William Daniels and an inside view of which roles he enjoyed and took pride in. I learned more from this book than I probably ever would have on my own time and now I have a handful of movies and shows to add to my "to watch" list. I appreciate William Daniels' honesty and humanity in this book, and I'm glad I took the time to read it.
February 28, 2017
I don't usually read many biographies. I had a thought about watching 1776 again. I saw William as John Adams. The next day I went to NetGalley and there he was standing there. I held my breath and waited to see if I got this book to review. I got it! William started at 2 year old and brings the reader to today. It grips you to see how his family function, or not. He was a Song and Dance artist. He worked with his two younger sisters. I can't believe that he had worked with so many famous people. He doesn't pull a punch! William worked on Broadway. He acted and also worked with directing. He married his wife Bonnie 3 years before I was born. He and Bonnie worked together on St. Elsewhere. I was sad when it was over. I loved to listen to KITT. What a voice! I read about John Adams and I went through an Adams age before 1776. I watch it over and over. I fell into this book. I hope you will want to,too! William, you are and have been my favorite actor! PS-I like your early photos. I volunteered to read and review this book.
November 20, 2016
I got an advanced look at this through NetGalley and it is {pick your superlative...I have too many}. Wonderful, charming, humbly self-effacing for a man with an 80 year career. I admit to never having seen him for even one second in the first role listed in the subtitle, and only snippets of the third - I wasn't a fan of St. Elsewhere, and know nothing of Boy Meets World, but I loved him in 1776. As for an uncredited voice role, I remember being in (US Navy) boot camp in January/February 1984 and we were getting a lecture from our Company Commander EM1 Wycoff on a Sunday night before we were wrapping for the day when he stopped and said, "What time is it?!" ... and took off mid-lecture. You see, Petty Officer Wycoff drove a black Trans Am, and was obsessed with Knight Rider, and the real star of the show, KITT.
Wonderful memoir. Clearly so, because I used "wonderful" more than once in this "review".
Wonderful memoir. Clearly so, because I used "wonderful" more than once in this "review".
February 6, 2017
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. As I read this book and was telling people about it, I got the response that was forseen by Mr. Daniels. "You are reading an autobiography about who?!" It is very unfortunate that one has to explain who William Daniels is, because he has always been an excellent actor and voice. I grew up with Feeny, but my favorite role of his will always be John Adams. There is just so much humanity and pomp in that character. The book lets us in behind the red velvet curtain of his career and into his life and all its foibles and achievements. Anyone who is going into acting should read this book, because it gives hope and reality about the profession in equal doses.
March 3, 2023
Who doesn’t love Mr. Feeny?
I got this book to listen to the story of William Daniels as I drive, multitask other things, and have a nice break mentally. I was a little overzealous when I purchased it, because I just assumed that he would be narrating his own story, since he has such a great voice. He is not the narrator. 😂
That being said it was very interesting to hear his story. I wanted to hear more about the later years when he filmed things I’m more familiar with, but I got even more here. I got his views on faith, marriage, kindness, and structure. In short, I got to hear his story. I guess I will end this review here, but let me just remind you:
Never underestimate the power of someone’s story.
I got this book to listen to the story of William Daniels as I drive, multitask other things, and have a nice break mentally. I was a little overzealous when I purchased it, because I just assumed that he would be narrating his own story, since he has such a great voice. He is not the narrator. 😂
That being said it was very interesting to hear his story. I wanted to hear more about the later years when he filmed things I’m more familiar with, but I got even more here. I got his views on faith, marriage, kindness, and structure. In short, I got to hear his story. I guess I will end this review here, but let me just remind you:
Never underestimate the power of someone’s story.
April 25, 2017
I'm a child of the 80s and a teenager of the 90s, so William Daniels is Mr. Feeny & KITT to me.
I loved his memoir! I found his story- which he wrote in longhand, to be transcribed for print - engaging, and I feel I learned a lot about the actor behind the "Hey, aren't you that guy?" face.
From his start as a child actor to his two years as SAG president, Bill Daniels tells us candidly about his roles, both personal and professional, over the past eight decades in show business. It's an impressive run and a worthwhile read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
I loved his memoir! I found his story- which he wrote in longhand, to be transcribed for print - engaging, and I feel I learned a lot about the actor behind the "Hey, aren't you that guy?" face.
From his start as a child actor to his two years as SAG president, Bill Daniels tells us candidly about his roles, both personal and professional, over the past eight decades in show business. It's an impressive run and a worthwhile read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
March 23, 2017
Definitely cried reading the Boy Oh Boy chapter... I'm sad that that wasn't the end of the book and that William Daniels isn't ACTUALLY Mr Feeny... but this book was such a captivating look into the life of an actor who has been working basically his whole entire life through the Great Depression and World War II. Really glad I pick this up.
August 15, 2022
I know who William Daniels is because of Boy Meets World, my favorite show from my growing-up years. Listening to this audiobook made me want to watch everything else he's been in, especially 1776, The Graduate, and at least some episodes of Knight Rider.
February 14, 2017
William Daniels' autobiography, "There I Go Again: How I Came to be Mr. Feeny, John Adams, Dr. Craig, KITT, and Many Others," tells the story of a man fans will recognize from many of the characters he has played: smart, irascible, talented, and frank. In fact, Daniels notes that he's a lot like Dr. Mark Craig, the character he played on the TV show "St. Elsewhere:" "I can be rather abrupt, very critical, and sometimes judgmental -- a real martinet." Fortunately, he is clearly not like John Adams, his character from "1776," who was "obnoxious and disliked."
Daniels also reveals a deeper, more nuanced person than any of his roles, a man whose early life as a child performer in New York left him with crippling self-doubt, despite his lifelong success in the competitive acting profession. He shows considerable generosity in relating the story of his childhood, making clear that his relentless mother had pushed him and his siblings into performing, but questioning (years later, with the help of analysis) why he never rejected the blueprint she created for him.
Those who enjoy entertainment biographies will appreciate Daniels' backstage stories from Broadway and his behind-the-scenes looks at TV and film in Hollywood. Although he has worked with some of the biggest "names" of the past century, he is not much of a gossip about his fellow actors, telling generally positive stories, apart from a few drunken escapades and frustrating performances. He is actually much tougher on producers and directors, particularly Jerome Robbins.
His descriptions of the acting profession, from countless takes and difficult performances to unemployment and stardom, reveal a man who is completely dedicated to his craft. He seems to have had a career-long, single-minded devotion to offering the best performances possible, even when that means turning down roles he judges as sub-par or tangling with producers and directors. Daniels circles back to his childhood to suggest the roots of his perfectionism, but he seldoms strays too far from the narrative for deep introspection.
Daniels is notably humble in describing two of his biggest successes: His term as president of the Screen Actors' Guild and his seven-decade marriage to actress Bonnie Bartlett. In the chapter discussing his work with SAG and the successful re-negotiation of favorable contract terms, for instance, he spends considerable time congratulating other actors, who worked in the negotiations or contributed to the union's strike fund. (His assessment of the SAG professional staff is scathing, though.)
Regarding Bartlett, he paints a glowing portrait of a talented, successful, steady, long-suffering spouse, who is the ideal counterbalance to his turbulence. The book made me want to know more about her -- I'd be fascinated to read her autobiography!
"There I Go Again" is a thoughtful, entertaining memoir. Daniels' fans -- and film, TV, and theatre fans -- will enjoy it.
(Review copy courtesy of NetGalley.)
Daniels also reveals a deeper, more nuanced person than any of his roles, a man whose early life as a child performer in New York left him with crippling self-doubt, despite his lifelong success in the competitive acting profession. He shows considerable generosity in relating the story of his childhood, making clear that his relentless mother had pushed him and his siblings into performing, but questioning (years later, with the help of analysis) why he never rejected the blueprint she created for him.
Those who enjoy entertainment biographies will appreciate Daniels' backstage stories from Broadway and his behind-the-scenes looks at TV and film in Hollywood. Although he has worked with some of the biggest "names" of the past century, he is not much of a gossip about his fellow actors, telling generally positive stories, apart from a few drunken escapades and frustrating performances. He is actually much tougher on producers and directors, particularly Jerome Robbins.
His descriptions of the acting profession, from countless takes and difficult performances to unemployment and stardom, reveal a man who is completely dedicated to his craft. He seems to have had a career-long, single-minded devotion to offering the best performances possible, even when that means turning down roles he judges as sub-par or tangling with producers and directors. Daniels circles back to his childhood to suggest the roots of his perfectionism, but he seldoms strays too far from the narrative for deep introspection.
Daniels is notably humble in describing two of his biggest successes: His term as president of the Screen Actors' Guild and his seven-decade marriage to actress Bonnie Bartlett. In the chapter discussing his work with SAG and the successful re-negotiation of favorable contract terms, for instance, he spends considerable time congratulating other actors, who worked in the negotiations or contributed to the union's strike fund. (His assessment of the SAG professional staff is scathing, though.)
Regarding Bartlett, he paints a glowing portrait of a talented, successful, steady, long-suffering spouse, who is the ideal counterbalance to his turbulence. The book made me want to know more about her -- I'd be fascinated to read her autobiography!
"There I Go Again" is a thoughtful, entertaining memoir. Daniels' fans -- and film, TV, and theatre fans -- will enjoy it.
(Review copy courtesy of NetGalley.)
March 7, 2017
You know how they say “Don’t meet your heroes?” Sometimes…they are right.
William Daniels will always be Mr. Feeny to anyone of my generation. It doesn’t matter what else he is in–any time William Daniels appears on screen, calls of FEEEEEENY are heard.
Of course, as an actor of age, I assumed he had a career long before Boy Meets World, so his memoirs intrigued me. I snatched that book right up when it appeared on my NetGalley dash!
Unfortunately…William Daniels is not near as well spoken as our beloved Mr. Feeny. It sounds like he led a pretty interesting life–he grew up during the depression, was a child actor on Broadway, trained for WWII, and has been in show business his entire life. Even still, this book made me sleepy. I got to about 35% and put it down.
Sorry Feeny. Love you, but I’ll stick to watching Boy Meets World reruns.
William Daniels will always be Mr. Feeny to anyone of my generation. It doesn’t matter what else he is in–any time William Daniels appears on screen, calls of FEEEEEENY are heard.
Of course, as an actor of age, I assumed he had a career long before Boy Meets World, so his memoirs intrigued me. I snatched that book right up when it appeared on my NetGalley dash!
Unfortunately…William Daniels is not near as well spoken as our beloved Mr. Feeny. It sounds like he led a pretty interesting life–he grew up during the depression, was a child actor on Broadway, trained for WWII, and has been in show business his entire life. Even still, this book made me sleepy. I got to about 35% and put it down.
Sorry Feeny. Love you, but I’ll stick to watching Boy Meets World reruns.
August 18, 2018
I was a fan of Dr. Crain on St. Elsewhere as well as the original John Adams in 1776. I have seen William Daniels in a lot of movies and TV shows over the years so I was very interested in his autobiography. This book did not disappoint. I was not aware that he was a child performer or that he may have been his own worst enemy in the business. This is a fun read for an actor geek like me.
August 10, 2022
I decided to read this book primarily because I loved Boy Meets World and Mr. Feeny growing up. I never really saw myself as a teacher growing up, but that's what I ended up doing!
So here is what I enjoyed:
-Bill Daniel's unconventional childhood being forced into stardom by his overbearing mother and his thoughts on the matter. These days we do not ascribe to the "children should be seen, not heard" trope anymore, but I'm sure that was very real back in the days.
-Bill Daniel's marriage and relationship with his children and grandchildren. He does not sugarcoat the trials and tribulations and is not afraid to assign blame of his pitfalls.
-His short tenure as SAG president: because the politics of it are interesting and I am not very knowledgeable of that world
-Of course, the Boy Meets World chapters
The reason why I gave it three stars is that a good chunk of the book is somewhat boring. Even though I mostly know Daniels from TV, he goes on quite a long time about his experience in theater. I am not a huge theater person and I thought those sections dragged. I don't really care too much about his tiff or dislike of a drunken actor he had to work with, but comes up several times. He hopped from play to play and he described each role, but really.... I would have preferred if he focused more on anecdotes from his more well-known roles rather than mentioning all of them.
Some nice aspects of the book is that Daniels is just down to earth and vulnerable. He's not so arrogant (see Will Smith's book), he doesn't go on about his sexual exploits (see various biographies), and he is just very real. Perhaps if you know more of his roles, you would like this biography a little better. Still, it's good to get a little insight into good ole Mr Feeny.
So here is what I enjoyed:
-Bill Daniel's unconventional childhood being forced into stardom by his overbearing mother and his thoughts on the matter. These days we do not ascribe to the "children should be seen, not heard" trope anymore, but I'm sure that was very real back in the days.
-Bill Daniel's marriage and relationship with his children and grandchildren. He does not sugarcoat the trials and tribulations and is not afraid to assign blame of his pitfalls.
-His short tenure as SAG president: because the politics of it are interesting and I am not very knowledgeable of that world
-Of course, the Boy Meets World chapters
The reason why I gave it three stars is that a good chunk of the book is somewhat boring. Even though I mostly know Daniels from TV, he goes on quite a long time about his experience in theater. I am not a huge theater person and I thought those sections dragged. I don't really care too much about his tiff or dislike of a drunken actor he had to work with, but comes up several times. He hopped from play to play and he described each role, but really.... I would have preferred if he focused more on anecdotes from his more well-known roles rather than mentioning all of them.
Some nice aspects of the book is that Daniels is just down to earth and vulnerable. He's not so arrogant (see Will Smith's book), he doesn't go on about his sexual exploits (see various biographies), and he is just very real. Perhaps if you know more of his roles, you would like this biography a little better. Still, it's good to get a little insight into good ole Mr Feeny.
April 19, 2017
I love theater. I love William Daniels.
If you only know William Daniels from Boy Meets World and you're wanting him to talk about his time on the show, then you're not going to enjoy this book.
If you want to read a very honest, well written, emotional memoir, about a Broadway/film/television actor, then by all means, this book is for you.
There were little things revealed here in there in the course of William's life that I never knew (and now knowing makes sense!). I liked hearing him talk about the shows he was in. He has a very interesting way of talking about theater that you just want him to sit next to you in one and talk to you about everything he has ever done. :)
It was super cute that he even added Lin and his little chat from a year ago regarding Hamilton/1776.
Mr. Daniels will always be Mr. Adams to me.
If you only know William Daniels from Boy Meets World and you're wanting him to talk about his time on the show, then you're not going to enjoy this book.
If you want to read a very honest, well written, emotional memoir, about a Broadway/film/television actor, then by all means, this book is for you.
There were little things revealed here in there in the course of William's life that I never knew (and now knowing makes sense!). I liked hearing him talk about the shows he was in. He has a very interesting way of talking about theater that you just want him to sit next to you in one and talk to you about everything he has ever done. :)
It was super cute that he even added Lin and his little chat from a year ago regarding Hamilton/1776.
Mr. Daniels will always be Mr. Adams to me.
April 16, 2018
William Daniels, among the many other roles he's played and hats he has worn, is a storyteller. Reading his autobiography was much like sitting in a comfy chair, listening to him tell the story of his life. It didn't take much imagination on my part to "hear" the words on the page in the actor's much-recognized voice.
Don't read this book if what you're interested in are the details of some of his most well-known roles. This isn't that kind of book. Instead, it is a glimpse into the life of a man with a sustained career in entertainment and acting, with insights only someone with that experience can provide.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Don't read this book if what you're interested in are the details of some of his most well-known roles. This isn't that kind of book. Instead, it is a glimpse into the life of a man with a sustained career in entertainment and acting, with insights only someone with that experience can provide.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
October 6, 2017
An enjoyable look at the career of William Daniels. I am a big fan of Boy Meets World so I had to read this book about one of my favorite characters on the show. He didn't talk much about it - only one chapter - and I would have loved to know more about it.
It was really cool that he knew Leo Carroll (from North by Northwest, one of my all time favorite movies) and that he laughed at Albert Finney referring to gorgeous Audrey Hepburn as Audrey Sunburn.
It had some funny moments, but I wanted more about BMW.
It was really cool that he knew Leo Carroll (from North by Northwest, one of my all time favorite movies) and that he laughed at Albert Finney referring to gorgeous Audrey Hepburn as Audrey Sunburn.
It had some funny moments, but I wanted more about BMW.
August 15, 2024
William Daniels has had a long life with many stories to tell. I was hoping for more Boy Meets World pieces, but I realized that it is a small piece of his long story in show business. I knew he was older, did not realize that he's old enough to start his career on radio productions. You hurt for him, cheer for him and celebrate with him.
He speaks highly of his marriage. Not sugar coating it, but sharing ups and downs. I just need to add 1776 to my watch list because if it helped inspire Hamilton AND George Feeney has played a character, it has to be looked into.
He speaks highly of his marriage. Not sugar coating it, but sharing ups and downs. I just need to add 1776 to my watch list because if it helped inspire Hamilton AND George Feeney has played a character, it has to be looked into.
May 8, 2017
A detailed and exquisite look into the life of William Daniels. At times remarkably transparent, Daniels deep dives into his life growing up as a child actor and the emotional turmoil this period represented in his life. It's extremely engrossing all the while being extraneously human. A must read for theatre junkies and the like.
August 21, 2018
It was great to learn more about the fine actor many of us have enjoyed through tv. To learn he had been a child actor and an actor on broadway. There is so much more to him than KITT, Dr. Craig or Mr. Feeny!❤️
October 28, 2020
I have always enjoyed William Daniels acting from 1776 on forward. The audio book was well read by the presenter. I was hoping that there might have been a recording or 2 by Mr. Daniels himself.
October 28, 2025
Who doesn’t love Mr. Feeny
January 9, 2025
Feenay! Fee-hee-hee-heenay!
December 12, 2016
I grew up on Boy Meets World. I’ve got the entire series on DVD and I’ve watched most of its followup, Girl Meets World. When I saw that the man who I’d always known as Mr. Feeny had penned his autobiography, I knew I was going to have to read it.
William Daniels, the man most people under thirty-five know as Mr. Feeny, and many others know as KITT, John Adams, Dr. Craig, and so many others, has been in show business for eighty years. That was fact number one I had no clue of when I first dug into memoir. I guess I’ve always pictured him as a sixty something man, never as a child, especially not as a child actor. From his beginnings as a child star, to SAG president, to every roll in between, he’s lived one hell of a life.
At ninety years old, Mr. Daniels has seen quite a lot in his life. He’s also been rather, how should I say, standoffish about it all. From anger, to drinking, to the walls he’s put up around him, he pulls no punches and by the end of the book, one can see the reason behind all of it. He might not have been the most pleasant man during his life, certainly no real life Mr. Feeny, but the book is one thing above all else - it’s honest.
William, or Bill as he refers to himself, has spent more time in show business than most stars could only dream of. He has evolved with show business, and his memoir captures travels through Hollywood, Broadway, New York, and travelling the US across those eighty years. Is it always pretty? Far from it. But it’s raw, it’s true, and it’s interesting. He might not be the most pleasant man, far from it during different chapters in his life, but he doesn’t sugar coat his story to make himself come across in a better life. A true open book, There I Go Again is a marvelous look at one of Hollywood’s treasures.
And of course, the chapter on his time with Boy Meets World was an absolute treat. Make sure you read all the way through to the end when Mr. Daniels sits down with one of entertainment’s brightest stars of today, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
William Daniels, the man most people under thirty-five know as Mr. Feeny, and many others know as KITT, John Adams, Dr. Craig, and so many others, has been in show business for eighty years. That was fact number one I had no clue of when I first dug into memoir. I guess I’ve always pictured him as a sixty something man, never as a child, especially not as a child actor. From his beginnings as a child star, to SAG president, to every roll in between, he’s lived one hell of a life.
At ninety years old, Mr. Daniels has seen quite a lot in his life. He’s also been rather, how should I say, standoffish about it all. From anger, to drinking, to the walls he’s put up around him, he pulls no punches and by the end of the book, one can see the reason behind all of it. He might not have been the most pleasant man during his life, certainly no real life Mr. Feeny, but the book is one thing above all else - it’s honest.
William, or Bill as he refers to himself, has spent more time in show business than most stars could only dream of. He has evolved with show business, and his memoir captures travels through Hollywood, Broadway, New York, and travelling the US across those eighty years. Is it always pretty? Far from it. But it’s raw, it’s true, and it’s interesting. He might not be the most pleasant man, far from it during different chapters in his life, but he doesn’t sugar coat his story to make himself come across in a better life. A true open book, There I Go Again is a marvelous look at one of Hollywood’s treasures.
And of course, the chapter on his time with Boy Meets World was an absolute treat. Make sure you read all the way through to the end when Mr. Daniels sits down with one of entertainment’s brightest stars of today, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
July 1, 2017
This disappointing memoir is negative from start to finish. Daniels must be the most negative person in Hollywood, and the title should have been, "I Said No" because that was his reaction to virtually every role and script offered (including many of the hit roles he eventually accepted). The worst part is that he barely addresses most of the things he is known for. The Graduate? Barely mentioned. St. Elsewhere? Not much other than his Emmy wins. Knight Rider? A few sentences. Boy Meets World? It gets 8 pages, which are revealing in how much he disliked the role. You decide if you think it's worth the price of the book. My advice would be it's not.
He spends much of the book demeaning his mother and siblings, making snide statements about his wife, praising himself for 1776, and complaining about everyone including himself. I'm not exaggerating in saying that there is almost nothing positive in this book, and there is way too little about the things we care about. This is a great actor with a fascinating career that intersected with some of the greatest performers in history (hunt for the Streisand reference) and he should have had some fascinating stories or details about the productions he was involved with. Just like with everything else, he should have said no to writing this book.
He spends much of the book demeaning his mother and siblings, making snide statements about his wife, praising himself for 1776, and complaining about everyone including himself. I'm not exaggerating in saying that there is almost nothing positive in this book, and there is way too little about the things we care about. This is a great actor with a fascinating career that intersected with some of the greatest performers in history (hunt for the Streisand reference) and he should have had some fascinating stories or details about the productions he was involved with. Just like with everything else, he should have said no to writing this book.
March 1, 2017
GNab I received a free electronic copy of this autobiography from Netgalley, Bill Daniels, and University of Nebraska Press, Potomac Books, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all, for sharing your work with me.
William Daniels is one of those actors you 'know' as soon as you see their face, you can do the whole filmography by heart, but the name.... Not fair, is it, but he played an important roll in the lives of us baby boomers. The respect is there, for the memories and life lessons learned, even if the name escapes us. This memoir brought back lots of those memories, and lots of laughs, as well. I managed to skip TV most of the 80's and 90's so I will be catching up on Dr. Craig soon if Netflix carries it. I do remember KITT though I saw few of them, as well. My memories go to films, The Closer and Grey's Anatomy - and he was in a bunch of them. Thank you, KITT - Dr. Craig - John Adams, for the memories....
pub date March 1, 2017
University of Nebraska, Potomac Books
William Daniels is one of those actors you 'know' as soon as you see their face, you can do the whole filmography by heart, but the name.... Not fair, is it, but he played an important roll in the lives of us baby boomers. The respect is there, for the memories and life lessons learned, even if the name escapes us. This memoir brought back lots of those memories, and lots of laughs, as well. I managed to skip TV most of the 80's and 90's so I will be catching up on Dr. Craig soon if Netflix carries it. I do remember KITT though I saw few of them, as well. My memories go to films, The Closer and Grey's Anatomy - and he was in a bunch of them. Thank you, KITT - Dr. Craig - John Adams, for the memories....
pub date March 1, 2017
University of Nebraska, Potomac Books
July 30, 2025
This book is fascinating. Once he got to the section about moving to New York with Bonnie after school and trying to make a career in theater, I was hooked. I have some theater background, though not nearly as extensive as many performers, but even that was enough to have me gasping or saying “What? No way!” to anecdotes about performers and playwrights ranging from F. Hugh Hubert to Austin Pendleton. This book also compelled me to watch 1776 for the first time.
If anyone is seeing the mixed reviews here and only wants to read this book for Daniels’ role on Boy Meets World, I can assure you that it does have its own chapter. About 2% of the book. But his life is interesting far beyond that.
If anyone is seeing the mixed reviews here and only wants to read this book for Daniels’ role on Boy Meets World, I can assure you that it does have its own chapter. About 2% of the book. But his life is interesting far beyond that.
December 19, 2016
There are memoirs that would work better as conversations than monologues and I think this is one. It's a little meandering and focuses less on the promises hinted at by the subtitle than on Daniels' early life. Fans looking for anecdotes of Mr. Feeny will probably be disappointed - he doesn't seem to have any affection for the role and appears befuddled by the devotion many millennials feel for the character.
The best part of the book is the appendix where he and Lin Manuel Miranda have a phone conversation about 1776 and Hamilton. It's a treat and I felt it revealed more about Daniels than most of the rest of the book.
The best part of the book is the appendix where he and Lin Manuel Miranda have a phone conversation about 1776 and Hamilton. It's a treat and I felt it revealed more about Daniels than most of the rest of the book.
October 7, 2017
If you go into this book just looking to read about Mr Feeny from Boy Meets World, you might be disappointed. I was one of those people who wasn't really aware of the decades-spanning career that Mr Daniels has had, who was just wanting to read this book for some BMW tidbits. But disappointed by this book, I was not. I really enjoyed reading about all the different things Mr Daniels has done, in theatre, in film, on TV. Actually, I think the only thing that would have made this a better read (to me) would have been if there was an audiobook version narrated by the author himself, so that I'd be able to hear his voice (instead of just hearing it in my head lol.)
May 9, 2023
William Daniels has had a very long career on stage, radio, and big and small screen. I loved watching him every Friday as Mr. Feeny on Boy Meets World. In There I Go Again, he goes basically chronologically talking about some of the things he has done in his career and through his marriage to his wife. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy his work.
April 22, 2017
What an interesting life he has led. While I did wish there were more Boy Meets World anecdotes, as I'm a massive fan, it was wonderful getting to know William Daniels as opposed to "Mr. Feeny."
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this novel.
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