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.
The photo of Halle Berry triggered a variety of reactions over the weekend
I can imagine the enormous pressure celebrities face on a daily basis. While criticism of their work is often unavoidable and sometimes even justified, it’s unrealistic to expect every artist to hit the mark every time. Just as entertainers can have nights off, it’s part of the job.
However, in today’s world, one would hope that public figures would rise above personal attacks and online trolling. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The internet has become a giant megaphone that amplifies every opinion and makes it easy for anyone to voice negativity. Not only do celebrities have to deal with real-life encounters with angry fans, but they also have to deal with a barrage of harsh comments when sharing moments from their lives on social media.
Halle Berry experienced this first hand over the weekend when she posted a stunning nude photo of herself. The Oscar-winning actress posted a picture of herself on a balcony, holding a glass of wine and nothing else, with the caption: “Doing what I want to do.”
While many fans praised her for the stunning shot, there were of course negative reactions as well. One critic voiced her disapproval and suggested that at her age, she should focus on family instead of sharing nude photos.
Given her long-standing status as a Hollywood icon, you’d think Berry would ignore such negativity. But the Catwoman star had a witty response that her followers found entertaining. She retweeted the criticism, adding, “Did you know a shrimp’s heart is in its head?”
Fans rallied around her, with one commenter saying, “As someone your age, keep living your best life and sharing whatever you want.” Another added, “Imagine being upset because a beautiful woman is proud of her body, that can’t be me.” Even actress Audra McDonald chimed in, saying, “You won the internet today with this backlash.”
In fact, Berry’s smart response garnered far more positive attention than the initial criticism. It’s refreshing to see someone stand up to narrow-minded bullies. What do you think about Halle Berry and her decision to share this nude photo? Do you think she crossed any boundaries? Share your opinion in the comments!
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