Bill Daily, who was born William Edward Daily, Jr., in 1927, became a household television staple during the 1960s when he played a comedic sidekick on “I Dream of Jeannie.” Larry Hagman fulfilled the role of the more serious Captain Anthony Nelson, an astronaut who found Jeannie (Barbara Eden) in a genie’s bottle on a desert island. The pairing of Daily and Hagman endured for five years, making 139 episodes.

According to Daily’s family, the comedic Actor died on Tuesday, September 4 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Several news agencies, including Fox News, cited that natural causes led to Daily’s death.

Notable sitcom roles played by Bill Daily

His initial, most notable presence, before television viewers, was on the classic “I Dream of Jeannie.” Not only was Daily’s character, Major Healy, the funnyman to Hagman’s Captain Nelson, his role often called for him to act in collaboration with Jeannie, age 2000, who fell in love with Captain Nelson. He befriended Jeannie, showing that he was a staunch supporter in her quest to win Captain Nelson’s heart.

Healy was to Nelson what Lucy was to Ricky in “I Love Lucy.” The on-screen match worked perfectly for viewers who tuned in to find out whether Captain Nelson and Jeannie would eventually become that love match, as well as to see what type of comical jams would result from the trio trying to keep it a secret from Colonel or Dr.

Bellows (William Henry Rorke) that Jeannie once lived in a bottle on the deserted island.

Daily enjoyed two long-term runs on television sitcoms

Following “I Dream of Jeannie,” Daily’s next major role in a television sitcom was on “The Bob Newhart Show.” His memorable character, Howard Borden, was a pilot plagued with perpetual jet lag, the Hollywood Reported noted.

The divorced Borden was not much for knocking on the door at his neighbors, played by Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette. Once again, Daily was on a hit show that also had a five-year lifespan on television.

After being an important part of two successful ensemble sitcom casts, Daily fulfilled additional pivotal roles on television, including his role as a psychiatrist on “ALF.” Daily had a long career in television, filling millions of homes with laughter.

Comedic actor left ‘indelible impressions’

In addition to his work in the television industry, Daily spent the latter years of the 1980s “serving as the director of the New Mexico Film Commission,” according to Deadline. In the comments section of the publication’s article, one reader, named Brian, wrote: “He made indelible impressions in two classic sitcoms and was hilarious in both, how great!”

Potentially even more impressive than the characters Daily played is the amount of work he successfully undertook to sustain his roles. He worked harder than most. He was dyslexic. To relay his lines, he had to painstakingly commit the words to memory, yet all-the-while the outcome of his efforts was the seamless flow of comedic delivery.

Forget the funeral and have a party, the star requested

Daily’s representative, Patterson Lundquist, stated to the Hollywood Reporter that the late actor’s “final wish” was for a party to be held. There will not be a funeral or a memorial service. It will be a party for people to “remember the good times and be happy.” That Daily requested a party affirms his life’s philosophy, according to Lundquist. Daily believed that “happiness” is a decision people make. “That was how he lived.”

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