Bill Hayes, a veteran actor known for his role as Doug Williams on the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives," passed away at the age of 98. Hayes had been a part of the daytime serial since 1970, joining five years after its debut. He and his real-life wife, actress Susan Seaforth, who he met on the set of "Days of Our Lives," were married in 1974, and their on-screen characters tied the knot two years later.
The couple gained widespread recognition in 1976 when they appeared on the cover of Time magazine in a story highlighting the popularity of daytime soap operas. Hayes' character, Doug Williams, became one of the longest-running characters on the show, facing various challenges alongside his on-screen wife, including encounters with a deranged ex-wife, explosive incidents, and serial killers.
Bill Hayes received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his work on "Days of Our Lives" in 1975 and 1976. In 2018, both Hayes and Susan Seaforth-Hayes were honored with lifetime achievement awards at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Hayes began his career in the early days of network TV in 1949 and appeared in shows like "Olsen & Johnson's Fireball Fun-for-All" and "Your Show of Shows" with Sid Caesar. A singer and dancer, he made his Broadway debut in 1953 and went on to tour in various stage musicals.
In 1984, the couple temporarily left "Days of Our Lives" due to a decrease in their characters' airtime. While Susan Seaforth Hayes returned to the show in 1990, Hayes made sporadic appearances in Salem and continued performing on stage. He also earned a doctorate in education from West Virginia University.
After a hiatus, Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes returned to "Days of Our Lives" in 2003, surprising viewers who had presumed their characters were dead.
Executive producer Ken Corday expressed his condolences, stating that Hayes embodied the heart and soul of the soap opera. Despite the grief, Corday emphasized that Hayes' legacy would endure in the hearts and stories of those involved in the show.
Bill Hayes' career spanned several decades, leaving a lasting impact on the world of daytime television and entertainment.
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