Bill Hayes, the beloved veteran actor known for his enduring role as Doug Williams on the NBC soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” passed away on Friday at the age of 98. Hayes had portrayed Doug since 1970 and, during the show’s run, found love with his co-star Susan Seaforth, whom he married in 1974. Their on-screen characters also tied the knot in 1976. The couple graced the cover of Time magazine in the same year, spotlighting the widespread appeal of daytime soap operas. Executive producer Ken Corday expressed deep sorrow at Hayes’ passing, acknowledging his profound impact on the show.
Throughout his lengthy tenure, Hayes faced various on-screen challenges, earning him two Daytime Emmy nominations in 1975 and 1976. In 2018, both Hayes and Seaforth-Hayes were honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Daytime Emmy Awards, cementing their legacy in television history.