I knew William Daniels from St. Elsewhere, Knight Rider, Boy Meets World, and countless appearances on other television shows. But what I didn't know is that that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Starting out as a school-aged "song and dance man," Daniels has worked in show business for over eighty years. He went from the Broadway stage into the Army, then off to Northwestern to study theater, and on to New York to figure out how to be a working actor. It was there, in Lee Strasberg's acting class, that he finally learned what it meant to be an actor, not just an entertainer. From there, everything changed.
His career went on to include lots more Broadway plays and musicals, films, television, and a stint as President of the Screen Actors Guild. His dedication to his art, his craft, and his family took him through the lean years to the award-winning years and brought him every success, even when he had to be dragged there by others. His new memoir, There I Go Again, is packed with stories from throughout his amazing career.
It's certainly not a how-to book for aspiring actors, as Daniels' penchant for turning down jobs is a habit even he sees as self-destructive, but fortunately for all of us, others had the good sense to talk him into changing his mind. (Seriously, who says no to Mike Nichols offering you a part in The Graduate?!) And while his career choices may not be what you expect, they are always fascinating and keep you reading until the end. This is a compelling read for actors and fans.
Galleys for There I Go Again were provided by the publisher through NetGalley,com.