Bill Hayes is DEAD TO ME

I loved him in HR Puffinstuff.

He saw the clip of his wife on Celebrity Bowling and keeled over…

Beal!

That’s what my mother always called him because of the way his gf/wife/whatever-the-hell-she-was said his name.

“Beal! Oh,Beal! I love you, Beal!”

Probably truly one of the most beloved daytime stars. Who'd hate him? He and Susan would have been married 50 years this year. RIP Doug/Brent Williams!

Very sad. Doug and Julie were the first soap couple I really rooted for.

Was so pleased the show continued to use him occasionally, even at age 98.

Oh Doug! Doug! NOT DOUG!!!!

Not exactly shocking, given his age and the obvious decline in his health the last year or so, but this one still hurts. Doug & Julie were a phenomenon, and Bill & Susan gave them their all. RIP.

Fighting a oil rig fire in the Gulf of Mexico?

r7 "this one still hurts"

Oh please, as if you knew him personally or something

I wonder if the Horton ball hanging episode at Christmas will be has last onscreen appearance? I know Days shoots 6+ months in advance, so there could be something else, but that would be a rather fitting end.

He had a great career and a great life . As a longtime fan of the show , I grew up with this guy on my tv. I hope they do right by him when they write him out on the show . I think being possessed by the Devil on the DOOL must have taken a lot out of him physically.

All those years in a harsh Turkish prison had to catch up with him eventually.

All those years in a harsh Turkish prison had to catch up with him eventually.

All those years in a harsh Turkish prison had to catch up with him eventually.

Aw, damn.

DAYS was Mom's soap and some of my earliest memories were of Doug and Julie.

He had a long run. May he rest in peace.

Here's a nice obit on Bill Hayes.

What a great life.

He really did have quite a life.

He was handsome, had a great voice and could act too. Some of his scenes singing were a bit cheesy but he was undoubtedly talented.

It makes sense he became the leading man on a soap.

His good friend and DAYS costar Robert Clary just died a year ago....

He always seemed ready to fly right out of the room.

Oh NO! 2024 is turning out to be 2016 all over again! Who's next? Does anyone know what happened?

Just think, if Dr Marlena hadn't selflessly taken the devil from him the other year he would have died even sooner!

Aw. Susan doted on him. Sad to hear that..he was even more handsome, old. What a good run he had.

Up until about a year and a half ago, he was as spry and agile, mentally and physically, as a man thirty years younger. It was inspiring to see a 95-year-old man be so vital on screen.

You're inspiring, too, Rita.

Was he in some type of car accident?

Old theater queens can't ignore his role in the Rodgers and Hammerstein flop, Me & Juliet.

No NYT obit, because of course we can only put random nobodies in those obits now.

One of the comments on the Deadline obit.....MARRYY!!!!!!! *sobs*

[quote] One of my first professional acting jobs was on Days of Our Lives. It was 1980 and I won a 3 day gig on the show. My first day was a disaster. I failed to fully extend the stem on my alarm clock and missed my call time…Panicked, I raced to NBC and arrived over two hours late…I was embarrassed, and failed in my first attempt at making a positive impression. I missed the rehearsal of my two scenes, and the irritated stage manager arranged for an assistant to give me a quick review of the blocking, then I was on my own. Trying not to fall into a shame spiral, I was alone in my tiny dressing room when there was a knock on the door. I opened it to see Bill Hayes – the star of the show. For a moment I thought he was coming to fire me personally! Instead, he said some comforting words, commiserating with my situation, and asked if I wanted to know the backstory to the character and the scene. I was shocked. He spent 20 minutes helping a stranger to feel a little less humiliated. He really cheered me up. I will never forget his kindness and patience. From that moment, I think of Bill whenever I see an actor in need. Bill Hayes was a Prince, and a damn fine actor. Rest now, Bill, and thank you. — Bryan Cranston

Wow R36 thanks for posting

And thanks for the laugh R31 if only real life were like Salem, where Dr Rolf can bring anyone back from death!

R1 Oranges, poranges. Who said?

When I was a poor teenager in the South and couldn't afford to buy fan magazines, I would study the covers at the newsstand, and those two were ALWAYS on the covers, like low-rent Liz and Dick. But I was too much of a snob to watch soaps, so I had no idea what show they were on, or why they were so popular.

Bill had Hoosier connections. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN.

I would have ridden Old Tom Horton's cock when he was young, circa Shadow Of A Doubt

I remember seeing a picture of him either shirtless or with a big bulge, or both, I don't remember, when I was about tween-aged and thinking he was the hottest thing I'd ever seen. I think this was before I even realized I was gay.

Bill was also an ally.

Wesley Eure's comments from Instagram:

[quote] Bill was to everyone...just amazing. He had the biggest heart and a gentle kindness that captivated a room. When I was a kid one of my favorite songs was "Davey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier". I would later learn it was Bill who sang it during his years as the "boy singer" on Show Of Shows! I was lucky to spend an afternoon with Bill and Susan at their home two Easters ago. When I arrived, Bill was dapperly dressed and full of love. Bill and Susan's love story is a soap opera legend! It has lasted over a half century! They met on the soap, got married in real life and on TV, were on the cover of Time Magazine, and until a few weeks ago Bill was still showing up for work at NBC at age 96! To be a guest in their home was an honor. My heart deeply grieves for Susan and their family today. I can't truly put into words how sad I am at the passing of this great man....Rest in Peace dear friend.

And I remember Bill did the NOH8 campaign back in the day.

Mickey Horton looked barrel chested and swarthy and like a lot of the men I grew up around.

Carlivati's IG comment and photo:

[quote] It has been an honor and a privilege, and one of the great joys of my life, to write for Mr. Bill Hayes, who played ex-con turned song-and-dance man Doug Williams on Days of our Lives for over 50 years, and passed away yesterday at the age of 98. Bill was a kind and generous person and a talented actor, who at 97 agreed to wear glowing contact lenses so the Devil could come back to Salem after 25 years and possess Marlena Evans. Sending love and condolences to all his friends and family, especially his wife and screen partner Susan. RIP to a legend. @billsusanhayes @dayspeacock #billhayes #dougwilliams #daysofourlives #days #dool #soapopera #legend

The loooook.....of love.......

From Day of Days 2011 ... Funny video of 86-year old Bill performing "I'm Too Sexy for My Shirt" with ingenues Dee Hall, Kate ManZi, and Face Cream Molly.

[quote]Tom or Doug?

Bill. I never saw Days of Our Lives.

Why I'll Never Mourn Bill Hayes

Seriously though... how are they going to address this on air? It's going to hit Susan hard(even though there are many stories of her being the cuntiest cunt who ever cunted, Bill supposedly was the complete opposite)

R53 Well, John Aniston died in November 2022, and due to the lengthy lead time in filming-to-streaming, Days didn't address Victor's death until August 2023. So it's possible the same thing will happen with Bill-Doug, and we won't hear anything for another nine months. .. It might be something more quiet like Julie simply discovers Doug has died in his sleep, and later we see a wake at the Whoreton House where characters having memories of Doug with flashbacks. - jmho

I hope they let Susan decide whether she wants to play Doug's death or just refer to him being in another room for the rest of the run. I mean, I'd prefer the former but it might be too difficult for her.

R53 It makes you wonder how such a nice man married such a rancid cunt

The NYT took a while to do an obit for Phyllis Coates so ... I gather Bill is not a priority.

Holy shit. R36 brought tears to my eyes. Cranston is the MAN

Not a Days fan and have not watched a soap since OLTL went off the air 10 years ago

I would have comforted Bryan and his incredibly furry chest in his dressing room.

Eure's comment:

[quote] When I was a kid one of my favorite songs was "Davey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier". I would later learn it was Bill who sang it during his years as the "boy singer" on Show Of Shows!

"Kilt him a b'ar when he was only three." LOOL!

Vaxxed? 98-year-olds don't just drop dead!

Though I never watched the soaps after reading all this I feel a little sad for the guy myself. Man, that Cranston tribute to him was honorable.

I came to him as a child via Davey Crockett, then came to him later in a special way when he posed for all those shirtless promos as the soap took his character to Polynesia.

You soap opera fans are truly embarrassing

I couldn't find a longer clip of the golden couple singing with DOOL guest star Dick Van Dyke several months ago so this brief scene will have to do =

Not sure where else to post this.

Why isn't OSHA doing something about all of these oil rig fires in the Gulf of Mexico?

That brilliant video at R49 did Dee borrow one of Chambo's plaid shirts?

R19 Just how good of un ami was LeBeau? It's well-known that he sought out la bite.

[quote]I wonder if the Horton ball hanging episode at Christmas will be has last onscreen appearance?

R74 I played Regis's intro several times there & heard "Phil" every time. Anyone else?

I want to hear Susan Seaforth Hayes Cunt stories. Is that worthy of a separate thread or is it too soon :)

SSH was the original wig-shitter.

Well, Suzi, you HAVE had that 5.99 McCrory's wig since the mid 70s.

I just HAD to shit in it.....and still you keep holding on to it.

Has Chambo issued a statement for Bill?

not the NY TIMES but Variety did a nice tribute to Bill Hayes; he offered to lend fatherly advice to fatherless Ken Corday.

What a nice man.

What a sweet tribute. Thanks for posting that r80.

Now, how can I see this 2010 documentary about Bill, “World by the Tail – The Bill Hayes Story"?

R81 There's a teaser of the film at Bill's website, plus another link there to watch the film for free. You have to enter your name and email to do so. .. I don't have the time to watch it this week, so didn't follow through with that part, but since it's his website, I assume it works. Maybe try it out, and let us know. ;-)

Thank you to everyone who posted old clips with Bill or sentiments from other actors. I especially loved R49’s video!

Yeah R83 His 85 year old self was a hoot in that.

Carlivati posted a link to the Rogers & Hammerstein instagram page that put a post up today honoring Bill.

Terrific video clip of him singing with the note:

[quote] We're saddened to hear about the passing of the oldest original cast member of a Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway production. 🤍 Bill Hayes played the Assistant Stage Manager, Larry, in the original Broadway production of Me and Juliet in 1953. To honor his memory, listen to him sing "You Are Never Away" from Allegro.

Susan Seaforth Cunt has Spoken!

[quote] Rogers & Hammerstein

Oh, dear.

Why is Susan considered unpleasant?

R89 a long history of it. She was honest about it in the book the Hayeses cowrote.

She didn't get along with Dee Dee Halls or Skeletor Alfonso when they first started. She's just petty.

Why did she not get along with Dee?

Also, why was she nominated for an Emmy in 2018 and 2020, I thought she was mainly a background character these days?

R91 SSH was, for a long stretch, THE star of Days. That subsided with Marlena's arrival and pretty much died when Bo and Hope arrived and Doug and Julie became oldtimers.

It took Susan a long time to not be bitter and to adjust.

As part of her retaliation, Susan still chews her way through every scene at great cost to the studio sets.

Payback is a bitch.

Doug and Julie really were THE Days stars of all DAYS stars in the 70s.

Especially after dykeriffic Sue Flannery left. They were Luke and Laura before L&L came along.

Did Dee become the star quite quickly?

R95 Dee as Marlena definitely filled the space where Laura Horton had been for her first few years, but it was really once the Salem Stranger story came, as well as her pairing with Roman, that she went from being one of the ensemble to more front and center.

Dee has been the show's lead ingenue for quite some time now. Not even Kate ManZi could topple her.

I think people also forget that Dierdre Hall is actually ten years younger than her given age. She matured early and her agent suggested she add ten years onto her age so that she would be considered for adult parts when she was still in her early teens. She was probably about 15 or 16 when she started on Days, though officially she was 25-6. I'm sure SSH could not have loved having a teenager usurp her position as Queen B on the set, especially someone with as much acting talent as Deirdre has.

We never did have a Susie Hayes Here! thread. But we did have a Dee Dee Halls Here! thread.

Marlena came on the show in summer 1976 while the show was looking for someone to take over the role of Laura Horton.

Susan Flannery had exited the role of Laura a year earlier and then temporary recast Susan Oliver had played Laura for 6-9 months, but also exited. So, while show looked for a permanent person to play Laura (they ultimately went with Rosemary Foresyth), they needed someone to serve as a psychiatrist on the show.

Thus, the role of Marlena was created and Deidre Hall was cast. Original plan was to write Marlena off once they had their new Laura Horton in place. But then Dee proved to be so popular with viewers.

Rosemary only lasted four years in the role of Laura before they wrote the character out, while Marlena is still gong strong almost 50 years later.

You don’t let an actress of Dee’s calibre slip through your fingers after her star-making turn in Electra Woman and Dynamic Girl. 💥

R98 that wouldn't be unbelievable apart from asking us to believe she was on The Young And The Restless at age 14. If Dee didn't have an identical twin who aged in real time she could easily pass for 10 years younger these days. Dee looks incredible for her age and should have at least a couple of Emmys for how well she played Marlena, especially in the early days.

Someone on her said they de-aged Marlena upon her grand return in the 90s. She would have to be a qualified Psychiatrist at aged 20 for the sums to add up

Everyone knows that 8-year old Dee lied about her age to secure the job in the first place. She was such a mature child actress and Bill Bell had been blown away during the audition. The rest is unspoken history.

Susan Seaforth Hayes is an incredibly intelligent person. That can get you into trouble if you're not careful.

She's classic soap. There was a story where Julie got burned in a fire and was disfigured. She divorces Doug because she's not beautiful. She gets plastic surgery and comes back to Salem -- her boobs hanging out of her dress and she goes to Doug's Place to see him. Alas, Doug announces Lee Dumonde as his new fiance. Julie is standing there and she's DEVASTATED.

That's a soap opera!

lol r105 you mentioned the Julie with the fried egg 'burn' on her face, SSH talked about the make up person forgetting day to day which side of Julie's face had been burned.

Dear sweet Bill Hayes, may he R.I.P. Really wanted to see him reach his 100th birthday however his health did seem to steadily decline recently like some have already mentioned. He did a great job in the possession story and was still extremely sharp well into his 90's, giving interviews with the soap press and always smiling. He will be missed.

Queen Dee waited a bit before posting about Bill Hayes.

Smart. She gets her own coverage.

I don't mean to sound bitchy (no, really). What she's written is quite lovely.

It appears that Queen Dee is following social media etiquette, which suggests that one take the family's lead and not make comment on someone's passing until after the closest family member has done so.

I wonder what it was like for Logan to go from his being the main opinion everyone read in a prestigious mainstream magazine -- TV Guide -- to a world in which social media gives EVERYONE a platform.

And EVERYONE can weigh in on a person's opinion and everyone else can weigh in on those opinions ....and so on.

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