Following Bill’s success on “I Dream of Jeannie,” he landed the role of Howard Borden on “The Bob Newhart Show.” Most people remember Bill for his role as Larry on the widely famous comedy, “ALF.”
Bill, of course, took the opportunity to reprise his legendary role, Roger Healey, in both of the “I Dream of Jeannie” movies. Following the movies, he moved to New Mexico with his wife, Becky. Although he was semi-retired, he would do guest spots on local radio stations from 2006 to 2009. Sadly, in 2018 he passed away at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Jeannie Makes Guests Appearances
There were “I Dream of Jeannie” references in so many other TV shows and movies spanning a wide variety of time. One of these can be seen in the “A Very Brady Sequel” Brady Bunch TV special!
Barbara Eden appeared in the made for TV movie as Jeannie herself. She came as a guest to Mike and Carol’s wedding, where she introduced herself to everyone as Mike’s wife! Fans were totally shocked by this cameo! This was a funny cameo since the actress who played Marcia on The Brady Bunch also had a small bit part in one episode of “I Dream of Jeannie.”
Still Dreaming of Jeannie
The production team and creators did not stop at just one reunion movie for “I Dream of Jeannie.” They came out with a second film called “I Still Dream Of Jeannie.” For this film, only two original cast members came to reprise their roles. Barbara Eden, of course, as the iconic Jeannie and Bill Daily. The movie came out in 1991 and was filmed in Canada. A far stretch from Malibu!
This film was the 3rd and final piece to the “I Dream of Jeannie” empire. This film never made it to DVD and remained simply a made for TV film.
Reunion Movies
NBC premiered the reunion film “I Dream Of Jeannie… Fifteen Years Later” Fifteen years after the famous series had ended. It was the first of not one, but two reunion films made that were based on the show “I Dream of Jeannie.”
In 1991, six years later “I Still Dream Of Jeannie” was released as the second reunion film. These reunion made for TV movies showcased the life of the magical wife and her marriage to Tony Nelson, as well as their son. Barbara Eden was thrilled to put on her crop top once again and reunite with the character she was so famous for!
Back To Where It All Began
If you watched the reunion film entitles “I Dream Of Jeannie… Fifteen Years Later” you will have noticed a very familiar scene! The creators wanted to bring a little piece of the original to the reunion. The beach scene in the film was actually shot in Malibu at the same spot where the first episode was shot back in 1964.
How fitting that 15 years later, Tony and Jeannie would be reunited at the same location where their love story began. The one difference was that it was with a different actor since Larry was not a part of this film!