Love and legacy on “Days of Our Lives”: Susan Seaforth Hayes pays tribute to Bill Hayes

A romance that transcended the screen

It’s a story that feels almost too perfect for real life: in 1970, the characters Julie Olson and Doug Williams fell in love on the popular daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives”. Off-screen, their real-life counterparts, Susan Seaforth and Bill Hayes, followed suit, embarking on a romance that would span more than five decades. Their bond was a testament to enduring love, lasting until Bill’s passing earlier this year.

Honoring a legacy on-stage and off

In an emotional gesture that blurs the line between fiction and reality, “Days” has planned a special tribute to Bill Hayes. Susan Seaforth Hayes shared her appreciation for the thoughtful homage, saying, “Being without Bill is quite a change. I appreciate what the producers have done to honor him — allowing me to deliver the same eulogy on the show for Doug that I gave at our church.” This poignant storyline promises to be a tear-jerker, as Julie Olson pays her respects to her late husband in what is sure to be a heartfelt episode.

Revisiting the golden days

Starting next week, viewers will be treated to a touching montage that revisits Doug and Julie’s early moments together. The archival footage will provide long-time fans with a nostalgic trip down memory lane, celebrating the couple’s journey — both on and off-screen. Susan teased this special tribute by saying, “They’re putting together a lot of historical tapes around Doug and Julie’s early days together.”

Support from the “Days” family

Susan recalls the outpouring of support from the cast and crew during Bill’s final days. “The ‘Days’ cast was there for me and for Billy too. Even Deidre Hall was there and visited during the last few days of his life,” she said. Their solidarity underscores the strong familial bonds formed on set over the years. Through her emotions, Susan expressed her gratitude and their impact, vowing to honor Bill’s legacy by continuing her dedicated work on the show.

An enduring love story

Susan Seaforth Hayes joined “Days” in 1968, while Bill Hayes entered the scene a few years later, sparking an instant, undeniable chemistry. They became one of daytime TV’s first “supercouples,” captivating audiences with their love story both on-screen and off. The couple married in real life in 1974 and on “Days” in 1976, even gracing the cover of Time magazine. Reflecting on their extraordinary journey, Susan remarked, “We fell in love with each other in front of our viewers, and they knew it before we did. Our head writer, Bill Bell, saw it too and wrote an endless story for us. I owe ‘Days of Our Lives’ my career, my happy marriage, and my mother’s writing career.”

Celebration of a milestone

On November 2, fans gathered with the cast at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to celebrate the show’s 60th season. Susan Seaforth Hayes described the incredible achievement: “Imagine having a show that lasts 60 years. This isn’t just show business… it’s like General Motors.”

The power of soap operas

Susan touched on the importance of soap operas in today’s fractured world, emphasizing their role as a comforting escape: “In a world where so many things are falling apart, it’s nice to know that there’s a place where you can turn on the TV and be in an imaginary town with people you love, people that interest you, and villains. This genre offers a mix of love, drama, and tension, making it a happy escape for many.”

A heartfelt tribute

During the event, Susan led a moment of silence and a musical tribute to honor Bill Hayes and another beloved actor, Drake Hogestyn, who also passed away this year. “Doug sang ‘I’ll Be Loving You Always’ to Tom and Alice on the show, and the entire family sang along. We performed it again for this tribute, inviting the fans to join in as well.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes’s tribute to her late husband, Bill Hayes, is a touching reminder of the deep connections and love stories that can evolve both on and off the screen. Follow us for more updates and share this moving story with fellow fans of “Days of Our Lives.”