Bill Daily
A master of the comic sidekick, his flustered charm as Major Healey and neighbor Howard Borden defined American television for a generation.
1927–2018 (age 91)·American actor and comedian·Birthday: August 30·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Bill Daily carved out a unique niche in the golden age of American sitcoms as the ultimate foil. With a background in nightclub comedy and early television variety shows, he possessed a perfect timing for playing the well-meaning but perpetually bewildered friend. His breakthrough came as Major Roger Healey, Larry Hagman's scheming astronaut buddy on 'I Dream of Jeannie', where his attempts to cover for Tony Nelson's magical secret were a constant source of laughter. He then seamlessly transitioned to the 1970s as Howard Borden, the lonely, often-in-the-hallway neighbor on 'The Bob Newhart Show'. Daily's genius was in making these characters deeply likable; his exaggerated double-takes and sputtering delivery never felt mean, only human. For decades after these iconic roles, he remained a familiar face through game show appearances and voice work, a testament to the enduring warmth of his comic persona.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Bill was born in 1927, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bill Was Born
The biggest hits of 1927
#1 Movie
Wings
Bill's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1927Born
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1932Started school
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1940Became a teenager
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1943Could drive
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1945Could vote
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1948Turned 21
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1957Turned 30
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 40
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 50
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 60
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 70
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2007Turned 80
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2018Died at 91
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
Key Achievements
- Played the iconic role of Major Roger Healey for five seasons on the hit NBC sitcom 'I Dream of Jeannie'.
- Portrayed Howard Borden across all six seasons of the critically acclaimed 'The Bob Newhart Show'.
- Had a recurring role as the voice of the robot 'Rudy' on the children's show 'The Space Giants' (dubbed English version).
- Was a regular panelist on the popular game show 'Match Game' throughout the 1970s.
Did You Know?
He was a skilled jazz bassist and often performed musically in his early career.
Before acting, he served in the United States Army Air Forces.
He provided the voice for the character 'Professor Conrad' in the English dub of the anime 'Star Blazers'.
Daily was a licensed pilot and owned several aircraft.
“I'm not a comedian; I'm an actor who says funny things.”
