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Beloved 'Days of Our Lives' Star Bill Hayes Passes Away at 98 A Legacy of Love, Music, and Soap Opera Stardom 

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Bill Hayes, renowned 'Days of Our Lives' actor and singer, dies at 98 in Los Angeles 

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Alongside wife Susan Seaforth Hayes, the couple portrayed the beloved first couple of daytime television 

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Before soap opera fame, Hayes had a No. 1 hit with "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" in 1955 

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Hayes, a former regular on Sid Caesar's 'Your Show of Shows,' joined 'Days of Our Lives' as Doug Williams in 1970 

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Doug and Julie, portrayed by Bill and Susan, made history as the only soap stars on the cover of  Time magazine in 1976 

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The on-screen couple's televised wedding in  1976 mirrored  their real-life vows,  attracting 16 million viewers 

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Hayes left 'Days of Our Lives'  in 1984 but returned sporadically,  captivating audiences with his performances  

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The actor's diverse career included a nightclub act with Florence Henderson and touring with 'Bye Bye Birdie'

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Despite initial reservations about soap operas,  Hayes became an integral part of the genre and a  beloved figure 

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Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes shared a remarkable 23-year marriage, leaving an indelible mark on the world of entertainment