Bonnie Bartlett Clarifies Open Marriage Comments on Daniels Anniversary

Actress Bonnie Bartlett has clarified comments she made three years ago about having an open marriage with her husband, actor William Daniels, stating that the arrangement was never formally discussed but was an unspoken understanding during their long careers in entertainment. The couple, who will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary next month, addressed the topic in a recent joint interview.

Bartlett, 96, explained that her previous remarks about an open marriage were taken to be more than they were. She said there was never any explicit discussion about rules, but over 75 years together, it would be abnormal if they were not occasionally attracted to other people. Both spouses had experiences outside the marriage, she acknowledged, but emphasized they never got unhinged. Their lives went in different directions occasionally, particularly when one was away working for extended periods, but they always remained committed to each other.

Details of these experiences were recounted in Bartlett’s 2023 memoir, “Middle of the Rainbow.” She wrote of having a months-long affair with another actor in 1959, describing the partner as slightly boring but admitting the sex was good....