News Summary

• Hayes played the character of Doug Williams on the daytime serial since 1970, five years after the show’s debut..
• As pillars of the show, the couple faced numerous trials, ranging from Doug’s deranged ex-wife, an exploding oven and numerous serial killers..
• “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.” Hayes’ character was one of the longest-running characters on the soap, now produced by Sony Pictures TV..
• In 1956, Hayes had a pop hit with his rendition of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” the song made popular by actor Fess Parker, who played Crockett on the Disney-produced series that aired in daytime from 1954 to 1955..
• The same year, the pair also appeared on the cover of Time magazine in a cover story on the popularity of daytime soaps..
• Two years later, their characters were married on the show..