Bonnie Bartlett, the wife of William Daniels, says the Boy Meets World cast didn’t always get along as they “grew up,” while also praising the former child stars for continuing in the business. The comments come as the behind-the-scenes friendships remain a pu
Bonnie Bartlett didn’t sugarcoat what it was like behind the scenes of Boy Meets World as the cast grew up together.
In an interview published Friday, May 22, Bartlett — William Daniels’ wife — told Page Six that the actors “had some problems working together as … they grew up.” She also added that it is “very unusual” for child stars to “continue in the business” after acting on screen at a young age.
Bartlett, 96, said the cast members “have grown up together” and praised them for staying on track: “They’ve been very smart. They’ve done well — all of them. That’s very unusual in a cast with children. They’ve done a good job of that. They’re good people. They’re all good people.”
Boy Meets World aired from 1993 to 2000, centering on preteen Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his adventures through middle school and beyond. The sitcom also starred Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, Will Friedle and Daniels, 99.
For Bartlett, the praise extends beyond the show’s on-screen family chemistry. Daniels wasn’t only Mr. George Feeny to the young cast — the mentor character who followed Cory and his friends through high school and college. In real life. Bartlett described him as a positive presence for the actors as they navigated seriousness during their formative years.
“He never told them what to do, but they learned a lot just from watching him … how to behave, what is serious,” Bartlett told Page Six. “You know, with kids, it’s all a joke, it’s all funny. I think [Bill] introduced them to the seriousness of responsibility.”
In the final season of the series, Feeny ultimately married Dean Lila Bolander (played by Bartlett). It’s a detail that ties Bartlett’s family life directly to the show’s long arc — and also helps explain why. decades later. she speaks with such closeness about how the cast handled growing up in public.
Daniels’ on-screen role as Cory’s neighbor and teacher, Mr. Feeny, had a lasting impact on the group’s dynamic. And Bartlett said Daniels remained a confidant throughout their 30 years of friendship and closeness with former costars.
That said, the idea that the cast’s relationships didn’t always run smoothly has lingered in other accounts from the ensemble. In 2023, Friedle claimed to Variety that Savage “disappeared,” adding that he wished he knew why.
Friedle’s description of the split is stark: “He disappeared — I wish I knew why, to this day,” he said. “We didn’t have a fight. There’s no falling out. There’s no animosity. He just woke up one day. and decided ‘I don’t want this person in my life anymore.’” Friedle said he tried to reach Savage for months before giving up. “I’ve known him since he was 11 years old, and we have a shared
history. And we were doing these conventions together. and we were getting to know each other as adults. and then he just kind of went. ‘I’m done with you. ’” Friedle alleged. He added that his wife told him to stop trying because Savage clearly didn’t want him in his life: “I tried and tried and tried for months. until finally my wife was like. ‘Why are you doing this to yourself?. He obviously doesn’t
want you in his life.’”.
Friedle now hosts a “Pod Meets World” recap podcast with former costars Danielle Fishel, 45, and Rider Strong, 46. Friedle and Strong also supported Fishel during her stint on Dancing With the Stars last year, during which Daniels even made a cameo.
Savage, for his part, has not publicly discussed his rumored Boy Meets World estrangement.
Across all of it, Bartlett’s takeaway is both more gentle and more direct than nostalgia alone. She acknowledges that growing up can complicate working relationships. while insisting that the cast ultimately handled adulthood in a way that. in her view. is rare for child actors who begin their careers so young.
Bonnie Bartlett William Daniels Boy Meets World Ben Savage Danielle Fishel Rider Strong Will Friedle Mr. George Feeny Page Six Pod Meets World Dancing With the Stars
Interesting. I feel like every cast secretly hates each other lol.
So they “had problems” but also “all good people”?? Sounds like the usual Hollywood PR vague stuff. Like, what problems, exactly? Working together is basically everyone arguing in a room.
Wait reply to that, but didn’t Mr. Feeny basically control everything? I swear William Daniels was like the boss on set and they were all scared of him. If he just “watched,” then why would they have problems working together??
I don’t even know why I’m reading this, but it’s kinda sad. Like being a kid actor you’d think they’d all be friends forever, but “grew up” = drama? Also 96?? respect I guess. I saw a clip where Rider Strong looked mad in an interview, so I’m like… was that the problems she meant or am I just making stuff up. Either way, good that they’re still in the business, that part makes sense.