Bill Daily — Acting | Biography, Movies & Career

Biography

William Edward Daily (August 30, 1927 – September 4, 2018) was an American actor and comedian known for his sitcom work as Major Roger Healey on I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970) and Howard Borden on The Bob Newhart Show (1972–1978). Daily was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career as a musician, playing upright bass with jazz bands in numerous clubs across the Midwest. In the early 1960s, he began to pursue an acting career, appearing in guest roles on several television series.

In 1965, Daily was cast as Major Roger Healey on I Dream of Jeannie. Healey was the best friend and sidekick of astronaut Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman). The show was a huge success, and Daily became a household name.

After I Dream of Jeannie ended in 1970, Daily starred in the short-lived sitcom The Good Guys (1970–1971). He then went on to play Howard Borden on The Bob Newhart Show. Borden was a commercial airline navigator who was friends with the title character, a psychologist (Bob Newhart). The show was also a success, and Daily received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1977.

Daily continued to work in television throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in guest roles on shows such as Cheers, Night Court, and The Golden Girls. He also starred in the short-lived sitcoms It's Not Easy (1983) and The Good Life (1994).

In addition to his work in television, Daily also appeared in several films, including The Love Bug (1968), The Out of Towners (1970), and The Muppet Movie (1979).