Bill Hayes was an American actor and recording artist, who was born on June 5th,1925, and died on January 12th, 2024. His song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” hit the Billboard charts in 1955. In late 1940 Bill Hayes followed a successful career as a musician, and then he began to focus on dramatic acting parts in the 1960’s, which led him to be cast in a role. This cast helped him to gain additional fame to a younger generation.

1970 was the new chapter of Bill Hayes when he played the role of Doug Williams on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives”. He continued to play this role till 2023. This was a great period for Bill Hayes in his career. He was not only an actor but also worked as a singer. He Made all efforts to reach his goal. He was a determined person about his work.

Bill Hayes’s Early Life

Bill Hayes was born on June 5th, 1925 in Harvey Illinois. He studied at Whittier Grade School and Thornton Township High. In March 1943 as a fresher he enlisted in the US Navy Air Corps at DePauw University. He received his joining letter on his 18th birthday. Bill Hayes trained to be a fighter Pilot for the next 27 months. He was awarded the World War 2nd Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal for his work.

Bill Hayes Family Background

Bill Hayes got married to Mary Hobbs from 1947 to 1969 and had 5 children. After Mary Hobbs he was married to Susan Seaforth Hayes who worked as co-star in Days of our Lives. Their relationship was so popular. In 1976 they got featured on the cover of Time. They were only soap opera stars who were the pride of at that time. They published their joint autobiography Like Sands Through The Hourglass and also supported the West Texas Rehab Center.

Bill Hayes Career

In the early 1950’s, Hayes was a singer on the Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca variety Your Shows of Shows. He played a supporting role in the 1952 black comedy Stop, You’re Killing Me. In 195, three recorded versions of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” which were in top 30. Bill Hayes version was the most popular in all. For 5 weeks, it was number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two million copies were sold. He was awarded a Gold Disc. In 1950’s Bill Hayes had other small hits, including “The Berry Tree”, covers of “High Noon”, and Wrangle, Wrangle”.

Hayes was introduced as a convict who was also a lounge singer on the Days of Our Lives. Doug’s character returned and worked from 1986 to 1987 and 1993 to 1996. In this, his role came back alive and went to his wife.

A documentary about Bill Hayes’s Life was released online in 2017. On June 27, 2017, Hayes was featured in an impromptu interview on a web special for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. On Jonny Carson, he was a guest who hosted a version of the show.

Bill Hayes Awards and Nominations

Bill Hayes was nominated for Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding actor, and Soapy Award for Actor of the Year. Not only these but also in Daytime TV Magazine Reader’s Poll, Afternoon TV Magazine, Photoplay Magazine Gold Medal Award for Best Actor.

Bill Hayes Death

Hayes did great work in his career. He did his work with full of confidence and diligently. He was passionate about his work and his popularity was its proof. At age 98,  Hayes died on January 12, 2024. Bill Hayes died in Studio City, Los Angeles.

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