Danielle Fishel delivers an emotional jive on ‘DWTS,’ reuniting with her beloved Boy Meets World mentor William Daniels, 98, in a nostalgic tribute.
It was a moment straight out of a ‘90s dream when William Daniels, the 98-year-old actor who played the unforgettable Mr. Feeny on Boy Meets World, made a surprise appearance during Danielle Fishel’s Dancing with the Stars performance on October 14.
Fishel, 44, who famously portrayed Topanga Lawrence, dedicated her “Dedication Night” dance to Daniels — her mentor both on and off the screen. Dancing with her partner Pasha Pashkov, Fishel performed an energetic jive to the Boy Meets World theme song by Twenty Cent Crush featuring Phil Rosenthal, turning the ballroom into a nostalgic classroom.
Before her performance, Fishel opened up about how much Daniels meant to her throughout her career. She recalled how, at just 12 years old, the Emmy-winning actor treated her like a professional and helped shape her confidence as a young performer.
The actress also shared a touching memory from the series finale of Boy Meets World, revealing that everything her character Topanga said to Mr. Feeny in their final scene was exactly how she felt about Daniels in real life — including the heartfelt line, “You were more of a father to me than my own dad.”
When the dance began, Daniels appeared onstage in full Mr. Feeny fashion — standing behind a desk and chalkboard, holding a piece of paper just like in the sitcom’s classroom scenes. As the music ended, Fishel and Pashkov rushed toward Daniels, embracing him warmly while the crowd cheered in an emotional standing ovation.
Daniels wasn’t alone in the ballroom. He was joined by his wife Bonnie Bartlett, and several Boy Meets World co-stars, including Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), William Russ (Alan Matthews), Betsy Randle (Amy Matthews), Matthew Lawrence (Jack Hunter), Alex Désert (Mr. Williams), and Trina McGee (Angela Moore).
Fishel shared a group photo on Instagram the day before the show, writing that she felt “an overwhelming responsibility to give a full-out, joyous, celebratory dance” to honor the man who “inspired thousands to become teachers.”
Before becoming the iconic Mr. Feeny, Daniels had an extensive and acclaimed acting career. He starred as Dr. Mark Craig on the Emmy-winning medical drama St. Elsewhere, and appeared in films like The Graduate (1967) and the Broadway musical 1776, where he portrayed John Adams.
Interestingly, Daniels initially hesitated to accept the role of Mr. Feeny, worried the character might be made a subject of jokes. After the part was revised to reflect greater dignity, Daniels embraced the role, which would become a defining legacy in television.
Throughout Boy Meets World, Mr. Feeny evolved from a sixth-grade teacher to a high school principal and college professor, always serving as a moral anchor for his students. Daniels later reprised the role in the Girl Meets World spinoff (2014–2017), offering guidance to the next generation and demonstrating the lasting influence of both his character and his mentorship.
Fishel later called the tribute a once-in-a-lifetime experience, saying, “It’s really a dedication to Bill and the role he has played in my life.” Fans online praised the reunion as one of DWTS’ most touching moments, with many calling Daniels’ surprise appearance “pure magic.”
Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+ and ABC.
