Bill Daily: The Rocky Real-Life Love Story Behind The I Dream Of Jeannie Star's 3 Marriages

"I Dream of Jeannie" star Bill Daily had a rocky love life off screen. The actor played Captain Roger Healey, the lovable best friend of Larry Hagman's Major Anthony "Tony" Nelson on the hit '60s sitcom. His character may have constantly chased women on the show, but Daily was married three times in real life. Just like the other celebrities who have been married more times than you would expect, the late actor proved that you can have multiple shots at love.  

Back in 1949, Daily married Patricia Anderson before making it big on television as a member of the "I Dream of Jeannie" cast. They were married during his entire run on the classic TV comedy, which aired from 1965 to 1970. The pair shared two adopted children, J. Patrick and Kimberley. But after 27 years of what would be Daily's longest marriage, he and Anderson decided to part ways. They divorced on January 3, 1976, while Daily was busy portraying Howard Borden on "The Bob Newhart Show." Working with legendary comedian Bob Newhart became a pivotal moment in Daily's career, making him a key cast member in two of the biggest sitcoms of the '60s and '70s.  

A few years after his first divorce, Daily found a second chance at love when he met fellow actor Vivian Sanchez. They got married in 1980 before embarking on a two-year road tour, during which they performed "Lover's Leap" together on stage. Daily also appeared in several TV shows during that time, including "Aloha Paradise," "Small & Frye," and "Trapper John, M.D." The couple shared one child, a daughter named Becca. However, the marriage was short-lived and ultimately ended in divorce in 1983.

Bill Daily got married for the third and last time in 1993 when he tied the knot with Becky Daily. The couple made a few rare public appearances together, including the 2005 TV Land Awards. They enjoyed 17 years of marriage together before Becky died in 2010. Daily did not remarry after Becky's death, making her his final wife before he passed at the age of 91 on September 4, 2018. He was survived by his son J. Patrick, who is now a Hollywood key grip and who Daily was living with at the time of his passing.

Daily was not the only "I Dream of Jeannie" cast member to have a turbulent love life off screen. Barbara Eden, who played the show's titular character, was also married three times. At the time of this writing, she has an age-gap marriage with Jon Eicholtz, and the couple still appears to be going strong after 35 years together. After the passing of her co-star, Eden shared a heartfelt tribute. "Our favorite zany astronaut, Bill Daily has passed," she said on X. "Billy was wonderful to work with. He was a funny, sweet man that kept us all on our toes. I'm so thankful to have known and worked with that rascal."

While Daily traveled a rocky road to love, he accepted change and focused on living a happy life. "Bill's philosophy in life was that happiness was a decision you make. That was how he lived," his rep Patterson Lundquist told The Hollywood Reporter after his death. "Bill enjoyed every bit of his life to the fullest. There will not be a memorial service or funeral for family, friends and fans. Instead, Bill's final wish is to throw a party. Remember the good times and be happy."