I loved his Roger Healy. A lifelong love it is. Always enjoyed the way he worked in his bass prowess whether as the major or the pilot. Oh and re the pilot, how can you not love anyone named Howard?!
He was an underrated actor and one of the key reasons I Dream of Jeannie was as good as it was. Most young lads - such as myself - tuned in for Barbara Eden, but honestly, she was not the strength or backbone of that series. The real humor came from Larry Hagman, Heyden Roarke and Bill Daily. For most people, you either liked Bewitched or Jeannie and I preferred Jeannie. The cast made it more relatable to me and their humor had more of an improvisational feel. Bill Daily was a huge part of that and his delivery was always spot on. Somehow, unlike Larry Tate on the Other Show, Daily made Roger Healy likable no matter what underhanded and selfish trick he pulled to get control of Jeannie's bottle or riches for himself. He was a great character and added charm and laughs to every role he played.
I had the privilege of meeting the then-surviving cast of Jeannie. Barbara was sweet, Hagman was charming and funny and Daily was just the nicest, most down to earth guy. They're all gone but Barbara now.
Oh I'm jealous. To meet that crew, oh my! Anyway, my favorite Healy ep was the one when he kept telling Jeannie to do "exactly what that book says." Run amuck? Great closing (to penguin: Go away this is my iceberg!").
