William Daniels & Wife Bonnie Bartlett Explain Their “Open Marriage”

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William Daniels will always stand by his longtime wife Bonnie Bartlett.

That’s why the Boy Meets World actor said he wouldn’t want to be with anyone but the St. Elsewhere actress. She revealed in her 2023 memoir, Middle of the Rainbow, that they had an open marriage after getting married in 1951.

You know, I’ve learned over the years that the media often takes a small detail and really runs with it. As I recently shared with The Daily Mail, it’s amazing how something minor can be blown out of proportion!

As someone who’s observed a lot of long-term relationships, I’ve always said communication is key, but sometimes the most successful couples have an understanding without needing to put everything into words. I recently shared that my husband, William, and I, after 75 years together, had a sort of unspoken agreement when it came to outside attractions. It sounds shocking to some, but honestly, after that much time with one person, it would be stranger if there wasn’t occasional attraction to others. We just never felt the need to discuss it.

You know, Bill and I don’t really believe in making a lot of rules for ourselves. It’s more about just living life, really. We’re very flexible. If one of us needs to be away – like when Bill was gone for a whole year – we just accept it and support each other. We don’t overcomplicate things with restrictions.

Although Bonnie and William both had affairs, they ultimately considered each other their main focus and remained devoted to one another.

She explained that while life continued, they always remained grounded. Though their paths sometimes diverged, they never lost their core connection.

Bonnie, who has two sons with William, has pointed out that many couples in the 1950s lived in similar situations.

She explained to People magazine in 2023 that you really need to have experienced that era as an adult to understand it, because the culture was so different. She specifically credited Hollywood with helping their marriage, saying that being able to live a more normal life – having weekends at home with their children and enjoying family time – made a huge positive difference.

Bonnie, who has two sons with William, has pointed out that many couples in the 1950s lived in similar situations.

She explained to People magazine in 2023 that you really need to have experienced that era as an adult to understand it, because the culture was so different. She specifically credited Hollywood with helping their marriage, saying that once they moved there and started living a more normal family life—having weekends at home with their kids and enjoying everyday activities—things dramatically improved.

In her book, Middle of the Rainbow, Bonnie wrote that she and Bill weren’t committed to being faithful to each other when they first got married. However, she confessed that she was deeply hurt when Bill had an affair with a producer in the 1970s, to the extent that she couldn’t continue with an open marriage after that.

From then on, she and William made it their focus to continually work on their relationship. 

Oh my gosh, reading her words just gets me! She wrote that she and Bill just took things one day at a time, and somehow, all those days turned into a lifetime! They’ve shared everything – the joy, the heartache… and they’ve managed to stay together through it all, for seventy years! It’s just… amazing to think about. It really shows you what true love is, doesn’t it?

For more couples sharing the secret to their long-lasting marriages, read on.

In their book What Makes a Marriage Last, Hermann revealed he never expected to share so much laughter with his wife of over 20 years, Marlo Thomas. He described a consistent focus on joy as a core part of who she is and what makes their relationship work. He believes their marriage thrives because they accept each other completely, which he calls ‘grace.’

He explained that even after intense disagreements, they make an effort to find humor. ‘One of us will try to break the tension with a joke – often about what we were arguing about,’ he shared. ‘It’s about finding a way back to connection, even if neither of us is willing to fully admit being wrong. When that happens, you know things are getting better.’

They’ve managed to avoid major changes in their relationship by following the advice they received before getting married in 2003. Even with five children, they prioritize weekly date nights and have chosen to connect in ways other than watching TV.

Chip says his biggest piece of advice is to passionately pursue the person you love. After twenty years, he still approaches his wife like he’s hoping for a second date. He jokes that while she could be unfaithful, it won’t be because he stopped showing her affection, forgetting special occasions, or telling her he loves her.

Kevin Bacon jokingly advises against taking relationship advice from celebrities, reflecting on his 36-year marriage. He and his wife have a playful motto – “Keep the fights clean and the sex dirty” – which they use to quickly shut down any further discussion about their relationship.

But seriously, they prioritize resolving disagreements quickly and avoid prolonged arguments. As Bacon’s wife explained, they focus on finding solutions rather than winning. They simply don’t enjoy fighting and want to restore harmony as soon as possible. Ultimately, she emphasized that they are fully committed to making things work, because there’s no alternative plan.

After over 37 years of marriage, the actors have learned how to argue respectfully. As one of them explained, they avoid bringing up past hurts. Many couples focus on their partner’s weaknesses and attack them, but they don’t do that.

They do still have disagreements, of course. One of them admits he often tries to retract things he says when he realizes he’s made a mistake, but he knows that doesn’t really solve anything. Instead, he lets his wife take the lead and gives her space. She, in turn, tries to be understanding, reminding herself that everyone makes mistakes and that a momentary lapse in judgment doesn’t negate a person’s good qualities. She chooses to believe he didn’t intend to hurt her feelings.

In December 2024, ahead of their 40th wedding anniversary, Curtis shared on Today that her husband still makes her laugh more than anyone else. She playfully added that he must find something to appreciate about her too, even if she’s not sure what it is.

Neil Patrick Harris believes the secret to his long-lasting relationship is accepting that relationships are constantly changing and hard to define. After 21 years together, navigating career changes – including his partner David Burtka’s cookbook release in 2019 – raising twins Gideon and Harper, and facing life’s challenges, Harris explained that marriage isn’t static. He described how even physical intimacy evolves over time, requiring couples to find new ways to connect and rediscover attraction. He noted that as people age, attraction shifts, eventually leading to a deeper connection with someone’s inner self, and then, surprisingly, renewed physical attraction. He says it’s a continuous process of change, and in a way, they keep falling in love with each other anew, over and over again.

This comedic duo genuinely believes that laughter extends their lives. It’s not just about their nearly two decades together; they actually quantify how much time a good laugh adds to their lifespan. As the actress explained, especially after a particularly hilarious moment, they estimate how many months or even years they’ve gained. She jokingly keeps a running total, celebrating each laugh as extra time to live.

They also limit how long disagreements can last. Following the advice to not go to bed angry, Falcone shared that she once tried letting an argument linger overnight, only to find she’d forgotten what she was upset about. She realized that trying to resolve issues when everyone is tired or has had a drink is unproductive. She’s never had a late-night argument end with a satisfying resolution and a truce.

Both having been married previously, the couple met in 1995 and quickly found themselves blending families, each with two children. The Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist actor explained, “I realized right away these kids already had mothers—and I wasn’t one of them. So, what could I offer?” She decided to be a supportive presence. “Everyone needs a cheerleader, and that’s what I aimed to be. I didn’t try to set rules, discipline them, or teach them right from wrong—they already had parents for that.”

The Cheers actor completely agreed. “Offering yourself as a friend is a really smart approach,” he said. “Letting them know you won’t discipline or judge, but that you’ll simply spend time with them and be there for them—that’s what really matters: being genuinely present.”

When same-sex civil unions became legal in Britain, musician Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, had a civil union ceremony on December 21, 2005. Nine years later, they officially married on the same date, once it was legally possible. However, they celebrate their relationship starting with a chance meeting at a dinner party in 1993 at John’s home in Windsor, England – a party arranged by a friend.

Every Saturday, no matter where they are or if they’re together, the couple writes each other a handwritten note. Over the years, they’ve written approximately 1,352 letters. Furnish explains that handwriting feels deeply personal and meaningful, and the cards provide an opportunity to reflect on the past week and discuss the week ahead. John agrees, saying that communication is key to a long-lasting relationship and a major factor in their success.

I’ve always been amazed by their relationship – they truly built their 40-year marriage with intention, almost as if they were destined to be together! They’ve made a conscious effort to keep their bond strong, even as their lives have changed so much. She explained that marriage is always their top priority, and they actively work to refocus on each other when things get hectic. If she could give one piece of advice, it would be to cherish that connection above everything else. He put it beautifully: he’d do absolutely anything for her, face any challenge, even put himself in harm’s way. He admitted he might mess up and even make her mad sometimes, but he’d never let anything come between them. He believes, and I wholeheartedly agree, that if you value a lasting, happy marriage, you protect it fiercely – you never let anyone threaten that special bond.

ABC News reporter Roberts admits she doesn’t enjoy casual phone calls. “I don’t like just checking in,” she said. “If you’re calling just to ask ‘What’s up?’, no, I really don’t.” However, a close friend who loves to chat on the phone eventually changed her perspective.

One friend pointed out, “Maybe he just feels comfortable hearing your voice, because it assures him everything is okay.” Roberts realized this was a sweet thought she hadn’t considered before. “If it makes him happy, then it should matter to me,” she explained.

Now, she takes a moment to respond kindly, saying something like, “I’m busy, but what’s new with you? Great, I’m glad to hear from you. I have to go now. Talk to you later, love you.” She says this small gesture makes a huge difference to him, and it only takes a couple of minutes to be kind. The couple celebrated their 29th anniversary in September 2024.

Their almost 30-year marriage started building its foundation early on, even amidst disagreements – like the time the actor famously threw the talk show host’s ring out the window, making it feel like the end. The talk show host explained that in the beginning of a marriage, small issues can quickly become major problems, whether it’s about money, work, or the challenges of raising children while exhausted. However, her husband taught her the importance of stepping away and taking a moment to calm down, realizing that not every argument is a dealbreaker. Now, as parents of three, they’re enjoying the rewards of that lesson. The actor believes that truly happy couples have overcome difficult times together, and that’s something to celebrate.

She describes herself as an introvert, almost a loner, while he’s a social butterfly – he jokingly calls himself “the mayor of everywhere.” She’s a bit messy, and he’s a self-described perfectionist. But after being married since 2003, they’ve learned to accept each other’s differences.

That’s the advice the lead actress from How to Get Away With Murder gives to friends who are getting married. She explains that marriage doesn’t begin at the wedding ceremony. It starts when you realize something about the person you love will likely annoy you, but you accept it anyway. It’s that moment of recognizing a potentially frustrating trait and still choosing to love them that truly marks the beginning of a marriage.

Maintaining a long-term relationship, like any lasting 50+ year connection, requires quickly resolving conflicts. Jane Fonda, star of Grace and Frankie, often takes the lead in smoothing things over. She explained that she readily apologizes because she deeply loves her partner and hates to see them feel alone, even for a short time. Ideally, she avoids situations where apologies are needed altogether. Fonda’s biggest piece of advice is to remember that hurtful words spoken in anger will ultimately cause you more pain later. You’ll end up regretting what you said to someone you love, essentially experiencing the anger twice – which isn’t good for your health or the relationship.

It’s fitting that Jerry, a former judge, says his long marriage to the iconic Judge Judy works because he generally lets her have the final say. For her, it’s simply about accepting someone for who they are, even when you don’t always agree with the outcome. Their marriage initially ended in 1990 after she felt he wasn’t supportive enough following her father’s death. However, after remarrying quickly a year later, she understood he wouldn’t suddenly become a homemaker or take charge of planning events.

She explained plainly that unhappiness in relationships often comes from trying to change your partner. “You can try, but they’ll always resent it,” she said. “Don’t marry someone expecting to change them.”

The actor from Lost credits his wife with being the rock of their family. He told TopMob News in April 2025 that her patience and support throughout his varied career have been invaluable. He said, “She’s kept our family stable and has been fantastic.”

The actor described his wife as incredibly patient, and said she and their two sons always keep him grounded, no matter what challenges he faces.

“They shape my values,” he added. “It’s great to have that perspective and North Star.”

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2026-05-19 06:18