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.
Adam Sandler’s Wife Jackie Stuns on Red Carpet – Fans Can’t Believe Her Jennifer Aniston Lookalike Vibes
Adam and Jackie Sandler recently walked the red carpet for the comedian’s latest stand-up special, and fans couldn’t help but notice that his wife looks strikingly similar to one of his frequent co-stars.
Many online users admitted they had to look twice at the photos, thinking at first that Adam was with his on-screen wife, Jennifer Aniston.
Keep reading to see what people are saying about Jackie, who just celebrated her 50th birthday on September 24!
Adam Sandler, 58, has worked with some of Hollywood’s top leading ladies, but the one who won his heart was Jackie Titone, an extra in the 1999 film *Big Daddy*.
Jackie, a model from Florida, began her acting career with a small role as Sally in Rob Schneider’s 1999 movie *Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo*.
It was Jackie’s role as a sports bar waitress in *Big Daddy*, the film starring Adam Sandler alongside twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse, that changed her life.
“22 years ago today we locked eyes and fell deep,” the former *Saturday Night Live* star wrote in a Facebook post celebrating the early days of their relationship. The post, dated July 31, 2020, continued, “Look forward to the next 22, young lady. Love you my forever girl.”
Adam and Jackie got married on June 22, 2003, in a star-studded event with guests like Jennifer Aniston and the late Rodney Dangerfield.
The real star of the wedding ceremony, however, was Adam Sandler’s dog, Meatball, who stole the show by dressing up in a black tuxedo jacket.
In 2006, Adam and Jackie welcomed their first daughter, Sadie. Two years later, in 2008, Sadie became a big sister when Sunny was born.
Both daughters have made appearances in a few of their dad’s movies, including *Hubie Halloween*, *Hotel Transylvania*, and *Murder Mystery*. In 2023, they even starred in the Netflix comedy *You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah*.
Jackie Sandler has also appeared in several of Adam’s films, including *Grown Ups* (2010), *I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry* (2007), and *Just Go with It* (2011), which starred Jennifer Aniston.
She even had a small role in the 2020 film *Murder Mystery*, which also featured Aniston.
Adam and Aniston have worked together in several movies and have shared a supportive friendship that has lasted more than 20 years.
Adam explained that Jackie and Aniston are close too, and there’s no jealousy between them. In fact, Jackie encourages Adam to be more expressive with his on-screen kisses!
Adam Sandler humorously admitted that his film kisses never feel as good as they could. “It’s not just [Aniston],” he said. “I actually feel bad for whoever I have to kiss. I’m like, ‘They don’t want to be doing this.’ But I do it.”
Referring to his intimate scenes with Jennifer Aniston in *Murder Mystery* (2019 and 2023), he added, “Jennifer is one of my closest friends and Jackie’s closest friends. So, Jackie’s like, ‘Would you give Jennifer some sort of good time with that kiss, please?’”
Recently, fans did a double take when Sandler walked the red carpet with his stunning wife for the New York premiere of his stand-up special *Adam Sandler: Love You*. Adam wore a yellow polo shirt and red pants, while Jackie wowed in an elegant black mini-dress.
But it wasn’t Adam’s trademark casual style or his usual offbeat jokes that grabbed fans’ attention.
Instead, it was Jackie’s striking resemblance to Jennifer Aniston that sparked a wave of online conversations. Fans couldn’t help but comment on how similar the two looked, causing quite a buzz on social media.
“I thought it was Jennifer Aniston!” one fan wrote, while another added, “That’s what I thought! Had to look twice.”
A third chimed in, “She looks like Jennifer Aniston, beautiful.” Echoing the same sentiment, another commented, “Jackie looks eerily similar to Jennifer Aniston. Yes??”
What do you think about Jackie Sandler? Let us know your thoughts, and don’t forget to share this story so we can all wish her a very happy birthday!
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