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An iconic figure of the silver screen, who forms one-half of Hollywood’s longest-married couple, was recently seen stepping out for a rare appearance in Los Angeles.
At 96 years old, this esteemed actress first walked down the aisle at just 18, marrying her renowned husband in 1951. Their enduring love story will reach an impressive milestone with their 75th wedding anniversary this coming June.
Their connection extended beyond real life, as they often portrayed married partners onscreen. Fans might best remember them as a couple in the beloved series “Boy Meets World.”
Her illustrious career includes memorable roles in “Little House on the Prairie,” “Twins,” “Shiloh,” “Sleeping with the Devil,” and “Better Call Saul.” Additionally, she earned two Emmy Awards for her standout performance in “St. Elsewhere.”
On Wednesday, she was glimpsed enjoying some personal time, taking care of errands in Los Angeles.
Can you guess the identity of this legendary actress?
Can you guess the identity of this screen legend, who is one half of the oldest living married couple in Hollywood?
If you guessed Bonnie Bartlett, you are correct!
This Hollywood legend was spotted running errands seemingly by herself in Los Angeles.
Clad in a white button down, taupe trousers, with a bag slung across her body, this star opted for something light and casual for her spring day outing.
Bartlett did not appear to be joined by her husband, William Daniels, a famous actor who played her spouse on three different projects.
The couple wed on June 30, 1951, and played one another’s spouses on Boy Meets World and St Elsewhere.
Those were just several of many titles she worked on, which included roles in Home Improvement, Parks and Recreation, Grey’s Anatomy, Touched by an Angel, and more.
She last played Helen on Better Call Saul in 2017 and does not appear to have acted in anything since.
Bartlett has been married to actor Daniels since 1951 and together they have three children and four grandchildren.
But fans of the incredibly solid couple may be surprised to learn they had an open marriage during their early years together, but that she had to call the arrangement off because she couldn’t handle it.
Bartlett, whose husband William Daniels played the teacher George Feeny in the 90s sitcom, said their arrangement wasn’t uncommon at the time and that they knew many others who had open marriages.
The actress married William, 98, in 1951 and they have been together ever since. But Bartlett told Fox News Digital in 2023 it wasn’t always smooth sailing, saying the open marriage was ‘very painful’ and that she eventually had to tell William they had to find a new arrangement.
Bartlett married Daniels when she was just 18 years old and had never dated anybody else.
Join the debate
Can an open marriage truly strengthen a lifelong relationship, or does it always lead to heartbreak?
If you guessed Bonnie Bartlett, you are correct!
This screen legend has been married to her famous husband for 74 years
Bartlett won two Emmys for her role in St. Elsewhere – pictured 1986
Bartlett’s accomplished career includes roles in Better Call Saul
‘I guess it was a little bit of an open marriage at first, but that was very painful,’ she told Fox. ‘That didn’t work well. And it was a time when people were doing that.’
‘It was at a time in New York when there was a lot of sex and a lot of people doing all kinds of things, you know – very free.’
‘But I don’t know if there was a lack of commitment a little bit, and that’s not good. So there was a lot of pain connected with any transgression, with any extramarital thing.’
The star’s revelation came as she published her memoir, Middle of the Rainbow, which she said is intended to serve as a ‘history of women’s experiences.’
In her memoir, Bartlett wrote about how she looked for a ‘kinder and gentler man’ than William to see during the early days of their marriage.
Bartlett and her husband William Daniels have played one another’s spouses in three different projects
Perhaps you saw Bartlett play Grace Snider on Little House on the Prairie
The Hollywood golden couple have three children together and four grandchildren
Bartlett with her co-stars on a 1975 episode of Little House on the Prairie
She described having ‘an affair that lasted a few months’ in 1959. Bartlett said it was with a ‘slightly boring actor,’ but added that ‘the sex was good.’
‘I never felt guilty because I never felt tied to fidelity, and neither did Bill,’ she said.
Bartlett wrote that in the early 1970s William began seeing a producer, and that the relationship ‘devastated’ her.
After that experience, she said she ‘could no longer tolerate any kind of open marriage.’
Bartlett wrote that she thought their marriage was ‘doomed’ after that affair.
‘Bill and I have moved forward day-by-day and eventually, the days added up,’ she wrote. ‘We’ve been happy together and sad together, and somehow stayed together for seven decades.’
‘It was very painful for the both of us,’ the actress shared. ‘But it was something we had to go through because we never went through it. When we got together I was 18. Bill was my first boyfriend,’ she said. ‘We just had to go through all that and still, we loved each other very much and always have.
‘[We] have always been there for each other. That’s what matters – if you’re there for the person and help [them] along in a relationship, [have] respect for them and what they’re doing and being there for them. [You have to] be together on the other side.’