‘Days Of Our Lives’ Features Final Episode With Late Bill Hayes
Days of Our Lives fans got one more chance on Thursday to see Bill Hayes, the beloved actor who played Doug Williams until his passing in January at the age of 98.
The Peacock sudser featured Hayes’ final scene with his real life wife Susan Seaforth Hayes, who plays William’s wife Susan. The two shared a poignant moment by looking back on their relationship, and how Susan felt when she first laid eyes on Doug.
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“All the trials we had, all those misconnections. And then I finally won the gold ring … All your passionate kisses,” she says to Doug.
“I became a new man,” he replies. “I had to change to deserve you.”
“Oh, you brought out the best in me,” she adds. “You’re never let anyone in this family down in this family, ever,” Susan says. “You showed me the whole world. Every continent. We saw the beauty of the earth.”
The ended the conversation with a kiss.
“Today marks the end of an era as we watch Bill Hayes’ final episode on #daysofourlives,” the show wrote on Instagram. “His incredible talent and presence graced our screens for over five decades, bringing joy, drama, and unforgettable moments to Salem. Thank you, Bill, for all the memories and the remarkable legacy you created. We miss you!”
Hayes originated his Days role in 1970. He and his wife were awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Daytime Emmys in 2018.
At the time of Hayes’ death, Executive Producer Ken Corday said, “I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of our Lives. 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.”
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