Bill Hayes, a beloved figure in the realm of daytime television and a veteran star of the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives," passed away on Friday at the age of 98. Hayes, whose portrayal of Doug Williams began in 1970, became an integral part of the long-running series, joining the cast five years after its debut.
On the set of the fictional town of Salem, Illinois, where the soap opera unfolded, Hayes encountered his real-life partner, actress Susan Seaforth. The duo tied the knot in 1974, and their on-screen counterparts followed suit two years later. Their union was not only a personal milestone but also marked a notable moment in the soap opera's history, landing them on the cover of Time magazine in the same year, a testament to the genre's popularity.
Executive producer Ken Corday, expressing his grief, remarked, "I have known Bill for most of my life, and he embodied the heart and soul of 'Days of our Lives.' Although we are grieving and will miss him, Bill’s indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen."
As Doug Williams, Hayes became one of the soap opera's longest-running characters, facing a multitude of challenges alongside his on-screen partner. From dealing with deranged ex-wives to surviving exploding ovens and serial killers, the couple navigated the intricate narrative of "Days of Our Lives."
Bill Hayes received recognition for his outstanding contributions to the show, earning Daytime Emmy nominations in 1975 and 1976. In 2018, he and Susan Seaforth-Hayes were honored with lifetime achievement awards at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Hayes' entertainment career dates back to the early days of network TV in 1949, with appearances on shows like "Olsen & Johnson’s Fireball Fun-for-All" and "Your Show of Shows" with Sid Caesar. A singer and dancer, Hayes made his Broadway debut in 1953 and toured nationally in various stage musicals.
His diverse career also included a pop hit in 1956 with "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," a rendition that resonated with audiences. By 1970, Hayes found his niche in the role of a reformed con artist turned nightclub singer on "Days of Our Lives."
In 1984, the couple took a hiatus from the show due to reduced airtime for their characters. While Susan Seaforth Hayes returned in 1990, Bill Hayes pursued other ventures, making sporadic appearances in Salem and engaging in stage performances. In the 1990s, he earned a doctorate in education from West Virginia University.
In a surprising turn of events in 2003, both Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes returned to "Days of Our Lives," rekindling their characters' narratives despite assumptions by viewers that they had met their on-screen demise. Bill Hayes leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only as a soap opera icon but as a versatile and accomplished entertainer whose impact resonates across decades.