Bill Hayes, 98, the renowned soap opera actor who played Doug Williams on Days of Our Lives for nearly 50 years, has died. If you want to learn more about his demise and the causes of death, continue reading.
A Long and Distinguished Career
Hayes was born in 1925 in Harvey, Illinois. He began his career as a radio announcer and vocalist, and his rendition of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” became a smash in 1955. On Broadway, he appeared in productions such as Me and Juliet, Bye Bye Birdie, and Camelot.
He first appeared on Days of Our Lives in 1970, playing Doug Williams, a con artist turned lounge singer. He quickly fell in love with Julie Olson, played by Susan Seaforth, and she became his real-life wife in 1974. The duo was one of the show’s most popular couples, and they even graced the cover of Time magazine in 1976. They departed the show in 1984 but returned multiple times during the years, most recently in 2022, when the show relocated to Peacock.
Hayes was nominated for two Daytime Emmys for his work as Doug and got a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Other TV shows and movies in which he appeared include Your Show of Shows, Matlock, Hooperman, Cop Rock, and Stop! You’re Killing Me.
A Loving Husband and Father
Hayes and Seaforth were married for 47 years and were regarded as one of the most durable couples in soap opera history. They have five children, twelve grandchildren, and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. They also collaborated on a biography, Like Sands Through an Hourglass, which recounted their lives and careers.
Hayes was well-known for his generosity, friendliness, and sense of humor. His fans, co-stars, and friends adored him, and they paid tribute to him on social media. Days of Our Lives executive producer Ken Corday stated that Hayes “embodied the heart and soul” of the program and that his “indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen.”
Bill Hayes Net Worth
Bill Hayes’ net worth is estimated to be $5 million. He made a living through a varied career that included music, acting, and teaching. He rose to notoriety in the early 1950s as a vocalist on the Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca variety show “Your Show of Shows,” where he showcased his musical abilities.
His chart-topping breakthrough with “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” in 1955, which sold over two million copies and earned him a gold disc, was one of his most significant accomplishments.
Bill Hayes Cause of Death
The cause of Bill Hayes’ death at the age of 98 has not been revealed, hence the circumstances surrounding his death remain unknown.
Longtime “Days of Our Lives” star, Bill Hayes, has died. He was 98. https://t.co/kckYndKhN3
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) January 13, 2024
Funeral Details
Hayes’ funeral will take place in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California, on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Although the service will be private, it will be live-streamed on the Days of Our Lives website and social media platforms.
Fans are asked to email or mail their condolences and recollections to the Hayes family. Bill Hayes was a soap opera legend as well as a devoted husband and father in his personal life. His family, friends, and admirers will all miss him terribly.
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