The 7 Most Inspiring Life Lessons Mr. Feeny Taught Us (And What The 98-Year-Old Actor Is Doing Now)

Few television characters have achieved the level of enduring cultural icon status as George Feeny, the wise and perpetually present teacher and neighbor from the beloved sitcom Boy Meets World. As of late 2024, the actor who brought this sage to life, William Daniels, continues to be a source of inspiration, proving that the lessons of Mr. Feeny are as timeless as his career is long. The nonagenarian actor, who is now 98, remains active and engaged with the fans who grew up watching him guide Cory Matthews and his friends from childhood through college.

The character's lasting impact is a testament to Daniels's nuanced performance, which transcended the typical sitcom mentor role. Recent social media posts and interviews confirm that Daniels is "very aware" of the profound legacy of his most famous character, a role he reprised for the spin-off Girl Meets World.

The Enduring Legacy: A Complete William Daniels Biography

William David Daniels, the man behind the iconic Mr. Feeny, is an accomplished actor whose career spans over eight decades across stage, film, and television. His professional life is marked by versatility, from Shakespearean roles to voice acting, and even leadership within the industry.

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• Full Name: William David Daniels
• Born: March 31, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York
• Spouse: Bonnie Bartlett Daniels (Married 1951)
• Children: Two sons
• Education: Northwestern University (B.S., 1949)
• Notable Roles (Television):
  • George Feeny in Boy Meets World (1993–2000) and Girl Meets World (2014–2017)
  • Dr. Mark Craig in St. Elsewhere (1982–1988) — Won two Primetime Emmy Awards for this role.
  • Voice of KITT in Knight Rider (1982–1986)
• Notable Roles (Film):
  • Mr. Braddock (Benjamin Braddock's father) in The Graduate (1967)
  • John Adams in 1776 (1972)
• Industry Leadership: President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1999 to 2001.
• Memoir: There I Go Again: How I Came to Be Mr. Feeny, John Adams, Dr. Craig, KITT, and Other Friends (2017).

The Latest on William Daniels and the Boy Meets World Cast in 2024

The year 2024 has seen a resurgence of interest and activity from the Boy Meets World family, with William Daniels at the center of the nostalgia. Despite being 98, Daniels is still engaging with fans, often sharing classic throwbacks on his social media, which consistently delights and occasionally causes a stir among fans who rush to confirm he is well.

Daniels and his wife, Emmy-winning actress Bonnie Bartlett Daniels, who also played his wife, Dean Lila Bolander, on Boy Meets World, celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary, a remarkable milestone that makes them one of Hollywood's longest-lasting couples.

In addition to Mr. Feeny's continued presence, the main cast members—Danielle Fishel (Topanga Lawrence), Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter), and Will Friedle (Eric Matthews)—have been active, hosting panels at conventions like 90s Con and Twin Cities Con 2024. Furthermore, the cast has confirmed they are working on a documentary about the show, further cementing its place in pop culture.

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Daniels has often spoken about the joy he finds in the show's legacy, noting that he is "pleased" that fans continue to appreciate the character's wisdom. This reflects the deep connection fans feel to the show's core message of learning and growth.

The 7 Timeless Life Lessons of George Feeny

Mr. Feeny’s greatest contribution was not just teaching history or English, but providing life lessons that transcended the classroom. His advice to Cory, Topanga, and Shawn remains a benchmark for mentor figures in television. Here are seven of his most memorable and impactful lessons.

1. "Dream. Try. Do Good."

This is arguably Mr. Feeny's most famous and succinct piece of advice, delivered in the emotional final moments of the original series. It is a philosophy for life, urging his students to set high goals (Dream), work hard to achieve them (Try), and always act with integrity (Do Good).

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2. "Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do Good."

This expanded version, delivered to the students in the series finale, emphasized self-confidence as the foundation for all success. The belief in one's own capabilities is the first step toward achieving the dream.

3. "The world is a very complicated place, and there are no easy answers."

Feeny consistently challenged the main characters—Cory Matthews, Topanga Lawrence, and Shawn Hunter—to think critically rather than accept simple solutions. This lesson encouraged intellectual honesty and a realistic view of life's complexities.

4. "If you let people's perception of you dictate your behavior, you will never grow as a person."

A lesson in authenticity, this quote taught Eric Matthews and others that true growth comes from internal conviction, not from seeking external validation or conforming to others' expectations. It’s a core message of self-acceptance.

5. "See one, do one, teach one."

This mantra, often used in medical training, became Feeny’s philosophy on mentorship and passing on knowledge. He believed that the final step of learning is the ability to teach others, solidifying one's own understanding and creating a chain of wisdom.

6. "We'll always be with you. You can always come home."

In the final episode, as Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Eric prepare to leave for New York, Mr. Feeny appears in the empty classroom. This lesson was about the security of a support system. It reassured the characters that no matter how far they ventured, the foundation of their upbringing and the love of their mentors would always be a source of strength.

7. "To thine own self be true."

A classic literary reference, Feeny often used this quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet to advise his students. It is the ultimate lesson in integrity and self-awareness, urging them to live a life that is consistent with their own values and character, a theme that carried through to the sequel series, Girl Meets World.