Actor Bill Daily from "I Dream of Jeannie" died at age 91

(Reuters) – Bill Daily, who provided comic support in two classic television series of the 1960s and 1970s as an astronaut on "I Dream Of Jeannie" and as a flip-flopping neighbor on "The Bob Newhart Show," died this week at the age of 91. , said a spokesman for the actor.

According to a statement from his representative, Patterson Lundquist, Daily, known for his quick wit, flawless looks and bewildering humor, recently moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to spend more time with his family. . Daily's son, Patrick, told The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died Tuesday of natural causes, the magazine said.

"I Dream Of Jeannie" ran five seasons from 1965 to 1970 on the NBC network. He interpreted Larry Hagman as an American astronaut whose life is turned upside down when he falls in love with a beautiful blonde genie, played by Barbara Eden.

Daily played Hagman's best friend, Roger Healey.

"Billy was great to work with," Eden wrote on Twitter. "He was a funny and kind man who kept us all on our guard. I am so grateful to have known and worked with this rascal.

"I Dream Of Jeannie" had a scenario similar to that of another show broadcast at the same time on the rival network ABC, "Bewitched," involving a beautiful blonde witch who marries a mortal man.

Two years after the cancellation of "I Dream Of Jeannie", Daily has landed a key role in "The Bob Newhart Show," aired for six seasons from 1972 to 1978 on the CBS network. Daily had known Newhart years before the show's launch.

Newhart, as a psychologist, was playing the role of a right-wing man in the cast, including Daily, his neighbor Howard Borden, friendly but not too bright. The cast also included Suzanne Pleshette, Peter Bonerz and Marcia Wallace.

"It's wonderful to be known and respected for this show," said Daily in an interview in 1991 with the Los Angeles Times. "There was a brilliant writing. I am more than grateful. Bob is the most beautiful superstar. He is the best. He is the only comedian I know who is a good listener. He listens and laughs.

'BOB' HI & # 39;

The character of Daily often came into Newhart's apartment, with a quick, "Hi, Bob." He said that greeting so often that it had become his slogan. He later named his dog "Hello Bob".

Mr. Daily said he liked to repeat his lines several times while Newhart preferred not to repeat. "He's very fast and very bright and I'm very slow," Daily joked about CNN's "Larry King Live" in 2003. "I was so terrified I did not know what I was doing."

Pleshette, whose character was named Emily, recalled in a 2006 interview how Daily beat a line without reporting it during a recording. "I stopped." He said, "Why did you stop?" I said, "You called me Work." He said, "No one will notice. 'is an electronic word,' said Pleshette.

Daily compared his character from "I Dream of Jeannie" to that of Bob Hope in old movies like "Road to Morocco".

"I was doing Bob Hope. And I thought (Hagman) was Bing Crosby. And I thought (Eden was) Dorothy Lamour, "he said.

Daily was born on August 30, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa. He began his career as a musician, playing double bass before turning to stand-up comedy. He began appearing on shows such as "The Mike Douglas Show" and was noticed by Steve Allen, one of America's most popular TV presenters, who hired him and used it in sketches. comic.

Daily made an appearance on "Bewitched" and then landed the role in "I Dream of Jeannie". Later in his career, he played frequently in the game "Match Game" and played a recurring role in the comedy situation of the 1980s. "He appeared in the telefilms" I dream of Jeannie … fifteen years later "(1985) and" I still dream of Jeannie "(1991).

Daily representative Lundquist wrote on Facebook that Bill's "last wish" was to have a party rather than hold a memorial service or funeral.

"Bill's philosophy in life was that happiness was a decision you made," Lundquist wrote. "It was how he lived." Bill took full advantage of his life.