1949 Graduate of Northwestern University.
As a child, he was part of the Daniels Family song-and-dance troupe that traveled in and around the state of New York. His entire family appeared on one of the first experimental TV broadcasts in 1941.
Elected president of Screen Actors Guild upsetting incumbent Richard Masur, as well as candidate Angel Tompkins who conjoined her two names to call herself "Angeltompkins" so she could be listed first on the ballot(!) The SAG president serves a 2-year term. [November 1999]
He and his wife, actress Bonnie Bartlett, won Emmys for their portrayals of a married couple, Dr. and Mrs. Mark Craig, on the cult TV series "St. Elsewhere" (1982) in 1982.
In an episode of "Boy Meets World" (1993), Daniels's character, George Feeny, is congratulating Cory on the quality of his film project. Cory then asks, "You think it's a great film?" George responds, "No, I think the Graduate is a great film," referencing his earlier role in The Graduate (1967).
Is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Nominated for a Tony as Supporting Actor in a Musical for his lead role of John Adams in the 1969 musical "1776." He could not be nominated for lead actor because he did not then have star billing (i.e., above the title). Adams is clearly the lead role in 1776 (1972), so Daniels declined the nomination.
Often plays members of the famous Adams family of Early American history. Has played John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams and their cousin Samuel Adams.
One episode of "St. Elsewhere" (1982) called for Dr. and Mrs. Craig to visit Philadelphia. Inspired by returning to Independence Square, he sang a few lines of the song, "Sit Down, John" from 1776 (1972). The moment was included in the episode.
Played George Feeny who was the principal and a teacher at John Adams High School on the TV show "Boy Meets World" (1993). This is yet another John Adams connection for Daniels, who has portrayed him many times.
Plays the husband of real-life wife Bonnie Bartlett on both "Boy Meets World" (1993) and "Touched by an Angel" (1994).
Portrayed John Adams in the original Broadway stage version of 1776 and reprised his role in the movie 1776 (1972).
The characters that Daniels and his real-life wife, Bonnie Bartlett, played in "Boy Meets World" (1993) married each other in an episode of that series, just as they are in real life.
While performing on both "St. Elsewhere" (1982) and "Knight Rider" (1982) in the 1980s, Daniels made goodwill visits to children's hospitals. He discovered that not many children were thrilled to meet an actor who played a doctor, but the fact that he voiced the talking car KITT always appealed to them, so he shifted emphasis during his visits. He entertained the children with KITT-styled phrases, and answered their questions about "Knight Rider" while hardly mentioning his other, larger acting role.
Worked conscientiously to lose the Brooklyn accent he grew up with, so that he could obtain a wider range of roles. His adopted accent is close to the Boston dialect he used as Dr. Mark Craig on "St. Elsewhere" (1982).