'A daytime legend': Tributes pour in as 'Days Of Our Lives' star Bill Hayes dies at 98

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The veteran actor of ‘Days of Our Lives’, Bill Hayes died aged 98, according to a statement from the show.

Hayes gained immense popularity for portraying the character of beloved Doug Williams on the show for more than five decades.

How did Bill Hayes die?

A representative of the show told The Hollywood Reporter that Bill Hayes died on Friday, January 12, in Los Angeles.

Executive Producer Ken Corday said in a statement, “I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of Our Lives.”\

He further continued, “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,” per Deadline.

Hayes, who was famous for his portrayal of Doug Williams, originated the role in 1970. In the statement, the show’s makers further stated, “He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years.” 

Hayes’ wife, Susan, played the role of Julie Williams on the show. The loving couple was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys in 2018.

Life and times of Bill Hayes

Though Bill Hayes is predominantly etched in the memory of his fans as Doug Williams, he was a multi-faceted star.

He started his career as a singer on ‘Your Show on Shows’ in the early 1950s. The jewel of his singing career was his ‘Ballad of Davy Crockett’ which reigned the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1955 and sold over 2 million copies.

Apart from a flourishing singing career, he also starred in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway play ‘Me and Juliet’ in 1953.

He not only acted in ‘Days of Our Lives,' but also appeared in several shows including ‘Decoy and True Story,' ‘Matlock,' ‘Hooperman,' ‘Cop Rock and Frasier.'

'Rest in peace our beautiful Bill'

Tributes poured in for Bill Hayes as the netizens mourned the death of the beloved soap actor. 

One of the heartbroken fans said, "Bill Hayes was a daytime legend with an incredible, decades-spanning career. Very sad to hear of his passing, but he’s left a truly beautiful legacy."

Another fan declared, "We love you, Bill Hayes! Truly and forever! #Days."

A user sent condolences to Bill Hayes' family, saying, "So sorry for your loss Susan Seaforth Hayes & Family & to the entire #DAYS Production, Writers, Cast,&Crew My Love & Prayers to all of you.💔🙏😢 RIP #BillHayes You will be missed.#DaysofourLives will never be the same without you. #DOOL 🙏🙏🙏❤🙏🙏🙏 #DougandJulie FOREVER!❤❤."

"Rest in peace our beautiful Bill. Thank you for all the joy you brought to so many of us in your wonderful career. You will always be in our hearts forever. We love you. #BillHayes #Days #DaysofourLives #DOOL," observed someone else.

Another fan wrote, "RIP Bill Hayes, he was truly a living legend. My thoughts and prayers go to him and his family. 🤍🕊️🙏."

"Sad to hear about the passing of Bill Hayes! What an absolute legend! May he rest with the angels🫶🏻🤍🕊️ #DaysofourLives" wished a social media user.

Someone else mourned him, saying, "My heart goes out to Susan, their family, and the Days family. This is so heartbreaking 💔😭 God speed Bill❤️🙏."

"Oh no! So sad! I hope they will pay tribute to him with a special episode," wished a social media user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.