'Days of Our Lives' Actor Bill Hayes Dead at 98

Bill Hayes on 'Days of Our Lives' on Nov. 19, 2021.

Actor Bill Hayes, best known for his role on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, is dead at age 98.

On Friday, Jan. 12, a rep for the NBC TV series confirmed the actor's (whose legal name is William Foster Hayes III) death.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Bill Hayes," the rep said in a statement to People. "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."

The statement continued: “He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years."

In fact, Bill and Susan (who portrays Julie Olson Williams) met on the set of Days of Our Lives in 1970. They married in October 1974 in real life, followed by an on-screen wedding featuring their characters in October 1976. In 2018, the couple received the Daytime Emmy's Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of Our Lives," the show's executive producer, Ken Corday, said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. "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 the wake of Hayes' death, Days of Our Lives fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to the talented actor and singer, whose voice was often featured on the show. (Hayes had the No. 1 song in the U.S. in 1955: “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.”)

One X user wrote, "So much charisma. So much talent. RIP, Bill Hayes," alongside a clip of him singing during several emotional scenes.

Meanwhile, someone else hinted at Days of Our Lives episodes featuring Hayes that have yet to air. "I’m glad we’ll still have some time left with Bill Hayes on screen," they wrote on X. "Every moment we have left with Doug will [be] treasured and celebrated in a different way now."

Yet another X user wrote, "He was an incredible actor, and his charm and charisma helped make #Days a success during the 1970s. Susan must be devastated. My prayers are with everyone who personally knows him. This is a blow to the show."

In addition to Susan, Bill is survived by five children, 12 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Next: Remembering the Stars and Legends We've Lost in 2023