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.
One Direction’s Liam Payne’s Friends & Hollywood Stars Pay Tribute Following His Sudden Death at 31
The sudden death of former One Direction member Liam Payne shocked the entertainment world, leaving fellow stars devastated, including an artist he once collaborated with on a major project.
Tributes from fellow stars continue to pour in as the entertainment world mourns the loss of Liam Payne, who tragically died at 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16.
Music producer Zedd was heartbroken and shared his grief on X (formerly Twitter) even though he couldn’t believe the news.
TV personality and DJ Paris Hilton also expressed sadness as she ended her tweet with “RIP my friend🥺.”
More musicians honored Payne with heartfelt condolences. Rapper Flavor Flav kept his message short but heartfelt acknowledging that the musician was too young to die.
British DJ and songwriter Jonas Blue also said farewell on the same platform as he posted a picture of himself and Payne.
Anne Twist, Harry Styles’ mother, reacted to Payne’s death with a heartbroken emoji on a black background on Instagram. In her caption, she wrote, “Just a boy … 💔.”
Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth shared his heartbreak on his Instagram (IG) Story as he reminisced about the kind of person Payne was to him.
In another IG Story, an upset Puth shared an old photo of him and Payne smiling at each other.
Just weeks before his passing, the late English musician supported Niall Horan by attending the Irish singer and songwriter’s concert on October 3.
Payne was excited to go to the concert and shared a Snapchat photo of Horan performing, captured from the large screen.
In another picture he shared, he captured the audience with their phones held up and the purple-lit stage as he was proud of his friend.
He also shared a backstage photo with Horan, where Payne wore a dark-colored jacket over a light-colored t-shirt while his famous pal sported a striped shirt. Both looked in good spirits.
Before attending Horan’s concert, Payne had celebrated his 31st birthday on August 29. He wrote about his simple wish for the day in a post as he walked alone on the street in a gray hoodie.
While tributes continue to pour in, authorities are still investigating the circumstances of Payne’s tragic death. According to TMZ, Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
Earlier that day, hotel staff called emergency services after he was reportedly acting erratically in the lobby, smashing a laptop and needing to be carried back to his room.
Alberto Crescenti, the director of Buenos Aires Emergency Medical Services, told ABC News that emergency services arrived at 5:11 p.m., just a few minutes after the hotel’s call. Unfortunately, there was no possibility of saving Payne, whose identity was only confirmed after he was pronounced dead.
Crescenti added that Payne’s body was found in the hotel’s inner courtyard. He further explained to the local media outlet TN that the singer fell from a height of 13 to 14 meters (42 to 45 feet) and described his injuries as “very serious” and “incompatible with life.”
Before the incident, Payne traveled to Argentina with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, for a vacation besides attending Horan’s concert. However, his girlfriend reportedly left on October 14, while Payne remained behind.
With his recent death, Payne is survived by his son, Bear, whom he shares with singer Cheryl Cole. The couple confirmed they were expecting their first child in November 2016, with Bear born in 2017.
In a 2018 interview, Payne discussed the joys and challenges of fatherhood. He said, “I always wanted to be a young dad, but I didn’t really expect that I’d ever be in this place.”
Payne also humorously referred to himself as “Dada Montana” as he balanced his music career with being a parent. Before becoming a dad, he gained fame at 16 when he joined the One Direction boy band.
The group was launched on “The X Factor,” alongside Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. Payne played a key role in their global success until the band disbanded in 2015.
The entertainment industry continues to mourn the loss of a beloved artist, with fellow stars remembering his talent and kindness. Our prayers go out to his family and all the fans who loved him.
Leave a Reply