Long-Time Days Of Our Lives Star Passes Away

Long-time Days of Our Lives actor Bill Hayes has tragically passed away at 98.

The beloved television star was a staple figure on the show’s set for more than 50 years and began acting on the hit TV series five short years after NBC introduced the show in 1965.

Hayes played the foundational figure of Doug Williams in Days of Our Lives for the entirety of his career with the show.

Hayes is survived by his wife Susan Seaforth-Hayes, whom he met on the set of the show, and was married to for nearly 50 years.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan Seaforth-Hayes and the loved ones Bill hayes has left behind. Multiple outlets shared the sad news:

Bill Hayes Dies: 'Days Of Our Lives' Star For More Than Five Decades Was 98 https://t.co/yvhWhksgep

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 13, 2024

Bill Hayes (1925-2024) — Actor, singer, DAYS OF OUR LIVES star since 1970.

As Doug and Julie Williams, he and wife Susan Seaforth Hayes were a couple on and off-screen for half a century.https://t.co/o2jBVgQDGU #BillHayes #DAYS pic.twitter.com/tU0hZTGue4

— Will McKinley (@willmckinley) January 13, 2024

People Magazine provided this statement from Executive Producer Ken Corday:

“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.”

Days of Our Lives issued this statement in response to the passing of the actor: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Bill Hayes.

One of the longest running characters on Days of our Lives, Bill originated the role of “Doug Williams” in 1970 and portrayed him continuously throughout his life.

He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years.”

https://twitter.com/SourceRyan/status/1746002211333669246

#RIP Bill Hayes, 98, the wonderful legend of ‘Days of Our Lives.' Condolences to Susan Seaforth Hayes. “In 1974, Susan and I got married in my living room with 16 people,” he once said. “In 1976, when Doug and Julie got married, we had 16 million people.” https://t.co/KOVh1dJ9j8

— Mike Barnes (@MikeBarnes4) January 13, 2024

BBC News added:

His co-star, Seaforth Hayes, joined the daytime soap two years before him, playing the character of Julie Williams.

The pair played an on-screen couple, and eventually became a real-life couple, tying the knot in 1974.

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