Actor Bill Hayes, who was best known for his role alongside his real-life wife, Susan, on “Days of Our Lives,” has died at the age of 98.
His representative confirmed to TMZ that Hayes passed away on Friday in Los Angeles, although the cause of death was not disclosed.
In 1970, Hayes landed the role of lounge singing scam artist Doug Williams on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives.” Meanwhile, actress Susan Seaforth was already a part of the soap opera, portraying the character Julie Olsen Banning Anderson Williams.
Hayes and Seaforth fell in love and got married four years later on October 12, 1974. Interestingly, they also exchanged vows on the show, not once but three times, starting in October 1976.
During their initial on-set wedding, the couple recited their actual marriage vows.
In 1976, they became the only daytime drama stars to appear on the cover of Time magazine for an article titled, “Soap Operas: Sex and Suffering in the Afternoon.”
However, in 1984, the couple had conflicts with producers regarding storylines, resulting in a reduction of their prominent roles.
Nevertheless, Hayes and Seaforth continued to appear on “Days Of Our Lives” even after the show moved to the Peacock network in 2022.
Prior to his iconic soap opera role, Hayes was a singer who penned the 1955 hit, “The Ballad of Davy Crocket,” which topped the U.S. charts.
He also made regular appearances on Sid Caesar‘s legendary TV variety show, “Your Show of Shows.”
Bill Hayes was 98.
RIP
### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
#### What is Bill Hayes best known for?
Bill Hayes is best known for his role as Doug Williams on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”
#### Was Susan Seaforth also part of “Days of Our Lives”?
Yes, Susan Seaforth was already part of the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” before Bill Hayes joined, and she portrayed the character Julie Olsen Banning Anderson Williams.
#### What was the title of the Time magazine article featuring Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth?
The article was titled “Soap Operas: Sex and Suffering in the Afternoon,” and it featured Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth as the only daytime drama stars to appear on the cover of Time magazine in 1976.
### Conclusion
Bill Hayes, best known for his role on “Days of Our Lives,” passed away at the age of 98. His career spanned over several decades, and he made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. He will be remembered for his contributions to television and music.