DAYS OF OUR LIVES Legend Bill Hayes Dies At 98
Bill Hayes, the lengendary actor who portrayed Doug on DAYS OF OUR LIVES for over 50 years, has died at the age of 98.
www.soapoperadigest.com
Bill Hayes (Doug) has died
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www.soapoperadigest.com
Bill Hayes, 'Days of Our Lives' Star, Dies at 98
Bill Hayes, a legend of daytime TV and longtime star of "Days of Our Lives," has died at age 98.
www.thewrap.com
Bill Hayes, Days of Our Lives’ Doug Williams, Dead at 98
Bill Hayes, a celebrated daytime TV icon who portrayed Doug Williams on Days of Our Lives for more than five decades, has died. He was 98. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing …
tvline.com
Bill Hayes, Days of our Lives' Doug Williams, has died at age 98
Bill Hayes, a star of stage and the long-running soap opera Days of our Lives, died on January 12 at the age of 98.
www.soapcentral.com
GOODBYE, BILL
Before television existed, Bill enlisted in the Navy Air Corps the moment he turned 18 in June 1943. He spent the last two years of World War II training to be a fighter pilot. Soon after the war ended, he became part of the fabric of television, first as a singer on "Your Show of Shows." In 1955, his rendition of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" hit # 1 on the Billboard charts for five weeks. In 1970, he was cast as Brent Douglas (aka Doug Williams) on "Days of Our Lives", a role he would continue to play, off-and-on, over the course of the next 54 years. It was thanks to "Days" that he met Susan Seaforth. They married in 1974, and their characters married on "Days" in 1976.
I found out five days ago that things were not going well. I spent the past five days reminiscing, remembering the time I was first put into contact with Bill years ago. I found out then that the man fans saw on "Days" for the past six decades was just as you saw him on screen: genuine, caring, full of life, a wonderfully nice man. He was so pleased to be sent his first script page from his debut episode in 1970 and immediately signed it for me. Through the years, we would stay in touch via email. He rarely took more than a day to respond back. As such a long-time fan of "Days", I was always in awe that he was just an email away if ever I had a "Days" question or just wanted to say hello. I will always cherish his friendship. My condolences to Susan, his children and the rest of his family.
Before television existed, Bill enlisted in the Navy Air Corps the moment he turned 18 in June 1943. He spent the last two years of World War II training to be a fighter pilot. Soon after the war ended, he became part of the fabric of television, first as a singer on "Your Show of Shows." In 1955, his rendition of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" hit # 1 on the Billboard charts for five weeks. In 1970, he was cast as Brent Douglas (aka Doug Williams) on "Days of Our Lives", a role he would continue to play, off-and-on, over the course of the next 54 years. It was thanks to "Days" that he met Susan Seaforth. They married in 1974, and their characters married on "Days" in 1976.
I found out five days ago that things were not going well. I spent the past five days reminiscing, remembering the time I was first put into contact with Bill years ago. I found out then that the man fans saw on "Days" for the past six decades was just as you saw him on screen: genuine, caring, full of life, a wonderfully nice man. He was so pleased to be sent his first script page from his debut episode in 1970 and immediately signed it for me. Through the years, we would stay in touch via email. He rarely took more than a day to respond back. As such a long-time fan of "Days", I was always in awe that he was just an email away if ever I had a "Days" question or just wanted to say hello. I will always cherish his friendship. My condolences to Susan, his children and the rest of his family.
While not totally unsurprising given his age this is still very sad news.
Condolences to Susan Seaforth-Hayes/Julie and their family.
It will be next fall before we see Doug's passing. I hope they do a good job, the type of job that requires a box of tissues near by.
Condolences to Susan Seaforth-Hayes/Julie and their family.
It will be next fall before we see Doug's passing. I hope they do a good job, the type of job that requires a box of tissues near by.
Lil0
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So, so sad!
Bill Hayes, Star of ‘Days of Our Lives,’ Dies at 98
The actor and his wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes, played a married couple on the NBC soap opera, and he had a No. 1 hit with "The Ballad of Davy Crockett."
www.hollywoodreporter.com
Here's the last written correspondence I received from Bill: His and Susan's 2021 Christmas card. It was always a treat to see Doug and Julie at the Horton Christmas each year, and the Christmas cards they sent added to the magic of the season, especially for this "Days" fan!
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What sad news to wake up to this morning. As robin noted, I hope they do a proper goodbye to Doug.
I can't imagine how sad and upset the cast and crew are over this loss.
RIP our dear Bill Hayes. Thank you for all of the years of entertainment.
I can't imagine how sad and upset the cast and crew are over this loss.
RIP our dear Bill Hayes. Thank you for all of the years of entertainment.