Bill Hayes, a pivotal figure of day-time television passed away at the age of 98.
Hayes was probably best known for his portrayal of Doug Williams on Days of Our Lives since 1970, appearing in over 2,100 episodes of the show. The role of the former con artist-turned-lounge singer became one of the longest-running characters in the show’s history.
Hayes was born in Harvey, Illinois, in 1925. Before becoming an actor, he started a career of a musician and a performer, reaching a Billboard chart-topping hit with The Ballad of Davy Crockett in 1955.
In 1953, Hayes had his Broadway debut in Me and Juliet and over the course of a decade he appeared in a number of productions.
By 1970, Hayes, a divorced father of five, was hoping to land a role closer to home when he joined the cast of Days of Our Lives, a decision that would define his career and endear him to millions of viewers.
It was on set that he met the great love of his life, actress Susan Seaforth, who played Julie Williams. Their on-screen chemistry translated into real life and the two tied the knot in 1974. They stayed together until Hayes’ passing.
Speaking of the instant connection they felt when they laid eyes on each other, Seaforth once said, “I’d seen enough to know that he was special.” Others could also see their unexplained connection. “We had a scene together shortly after meeting, and the head writer saw something going on between the two of us, just two people looking at each other, and he threw out the other plot lines he had for our characters,” she added.
Hayes and Seaforth Hayes were both honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2018 Daytime Emmys for their enduring contributions to television. The couple’s acceptance speech was heartfelt, with Bill expressing gratitude for the fans who considered them part of their own lives.
Honoring Hayes, a representative for the Peacock series told The Times in a statement, “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.”
“I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of ‘Days of Our Lives,’” executive producer Ken Corday said in a statement. “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.”
In addition to his iconic role on Days of Our Lives, Bill Hayes had other notable television appearances, including roles in Matlock and Frasier. During the 1950s and 60s, he featured in TV adaptations of popular musicals such as Kiss Me, Kate and Once Upon a Mattress. He also portrayed John Brooks in the 1958 TV movie Little Women.
The cause of Hayes’ death hasn’t been disclosed with the public.
Rest in peace, legend.
Jennifer Garner ‘proud to show off’ her boyfriend – and you might recognize him
Away from the public eye, Jennifer Garner, the Hollywood actress best recognized for her parts in movies like “13 Going on 30,” has been discreetly dating businessman John Miller. The 51-year-old actress and Miller, the CEO of CaliBurger, had an intermittent romance since divorcing Ben Affleck in 2018. The pair would rather remain anonymous, staying out of the spotlight and appreciating their “under-the-radar” connection.
Miller, a businessman and attorney who was born in 1978, was once vice president of intellectual property for Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals. From 2005 until 2014, he was wed to violinist Caroline Campbell, with whom he had a son and a daughter. Since they started dating five years ago, Miller and Garner have opted to keep their relationship under wraps and value a more personal, sincere bond.
Between August 2020 and the spring of 2021, the couple had a brief breakup, but they have been together ever since. Despite recent reports that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Garner’s ex-husband, were getting married, Garner and Miller appear unfazed and are often spotted together, displaying their delight. The pair, who are said to be mutually beneficial, draws out the best in one another, taking pleasure in vacations and being at ease with the attention that their relationship is receiving.
According to insider reports from November 2023, Garner and Miller are doing well and have grown more confident in their partnership.
They are content to treasure their relationship without a formal label for the time being, but they are not in a rush to be married. Celebrity for her 50th birthday food drive with Miller and their kids, Garner enjoys the everydayness of dating an ordinary person. Miller is content to follow Garner’s lead, which makes their relationship all the more precious.
The news that Jennifer Garner is falling in love again has thrilled fans, and it will be interesting to follow their path as they continue to cherish their sincere and personal bond.
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