I’m a little behind here but “Days of Our Lives” star Bill Hayes has died at age 98. He joined the show in 1970 and has played Doug Williams ever since then, even with some breaks. Hayes fell in love with his leading lady, Susan Seaforth, and they married in 1974. They were so popular they were featured on the cover of Time Magazine. In recent years they were heavily featured on the show. Bill Hayes’s last appearance was just last month.
As actors have come and gone on the nearly 60 year old soap, the Hayeses became its heart and soul. The character of Doug Williams arrived as a conman but became a cafe owner and song and dance man. Hayes was the first actor ever to sing on a soap, and it was a regular thing. (He used to perform on the show with the late Robert Clary, who most people remember from “Hogan’s Heroes.”)
There are a lot of tributes to Bill Hayes all over social media. But the one below was writte by Bryan Cranston and posted to Deadline’s comments page.
I’ll also say I have a soft spot for the Hayeses. They were on TC seemingly every afternoon I was in junior high and high school. Their longevity is to be applauded. Condolences to their families.
