. Always Doug and Julie, our site dedicated to Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes


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God Bless America!!

Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers

Happy 34th Anniversary,
Bill and Susan!


Our love is here to stay! Welcome to our page
dedicated to the
First Super Couple of Soaps,
Doug and Julie Williams

This page is dedicated to our favorite Daytime Couple of all time, Doug and Julie Williams, played by the real life super couple, Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes. From the moment they met to the third time at the altar, their love has burned strong and bright, a fact made so much more so because the love we saw on the show was a glowing reflection of the real love they have shared for almost 38 years! From the "Look of Love" that shines in their eyes when they gaze at each other to the songs of love sung to the "Most Beautiful Girl in the World", Doug and Julie will always be the ideal Super couple, in real life and in the reel life of Salem in the Days of Our Lives! Our wish is that someday, that love will burn bright again on the daytime screen in the town of Salem!

Thank you for visiting and come back real soon!
Lana and Della


Thank you for the banner, Sweetest Sin!

34 years and the love only grows stronger!

DVR ALERT!

Wow! Bill and Susan appeared again as Doug and Julie
on September 29!!
We hope this continues!!

A TRIBUTE TO SUSAN!

Jason at Jason47 is working on a tribute to Susan as her 40th anniversary with the show nears this December. Be sure to watch for it!

DOOL'S FOURTH!

We're happy, but we'd like more!!
The episodes were wonderful, although too short!
Still not enough Doug and Julie airtime, right?
Get those cards and letters out to TPTB, folks!


It looks like our own Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam!!


Please keep writing!!

Now this is our kind of Doug and Julie fan! Let's hope the writers read Soap Opera Weekly!



~~Keepin' Busy!~~

Susan and Bill have finished promo ads for their annual appearance on the telethon
for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Abilene, TX.
They have done this telethon every year since 1976. Last year, they raised $1,271,000, more than they ever have before! Bill says it's a fabulous place, and serves the whole south-east quadrant of the country. Susan and Bill donate a percentage of their book-revenues to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Here are photos of a previous appearance on the show:

CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE!

Thank you, T. Childs, for the photos!

Jolly Olde England!

Bill and Susan did some research (for their new novel) in London for a week. Can't wait for this one!!


Tell us about your new book…

"People are surprised that I am as candid and as funny as I am in the book and by how much my husband and I love each other. How that flows through it so completely. Strangers that don't know either one of us have read it and been very surprised. And people that have known about the Doug and Julie relationship are delighted with the book and aghast at the backstage stuff in it, because I put it all in! I couldn't think of any lines better than the truth. Bill Bell is all over the book. He had to be because he was all over our lives. If there was one fairy godfather coming down from heaven to do something for Susan, it was probably Bill Bell. He cast me, then he cast Bill Hayes and then he pulled my mother out of the bullpen of potential writers and said 'I believe you have talent. Let me train you.' Then he cast me in Y&R when Days fired me and gave me love and continued to be a friend to the three most important people in my life."

What's coming up next for you?

"My husband and I are writing another book, a period piece. My editor asked me to go on and keep writing because she said 'I think you have another career' which was more flattering then anything else she could say. I would say that it is a quarter written. My husband and I were just in London doing some research. In London, there is a theater library museum. It is not in London but just outside. You have to go through security then you get to go in and because we were published, we got to go in. You have to send down for it and then an hour later a big red box arrived, heavy with tape around it and you open it up and it's filled with playbills from 1795, 1803, 1807. I was like 'do I need to put on some gloves, and can I take a picture?' then they weigh the box before they give it to you and they weigh it again, to make sure you didn't take anything. My husband and I didn't get up or drink any water for hours! We were there for 7 ½ hours. I was researching this period so I knew many of the actors names and then to read the good reviews for them."

To do list?

"I would love to live overseas. The proximity of the history and the level of awareness of all cultures are very interesting to me. On the subway, a young African American man looked at our jackets, which just happened to be Days of Our Lives jackets and said, 'you are very big in South Africa' and I said 'we are going there next March' and he replied, 'I am from there and it is very hot in March, you should go to Kenya. It is much nicer' It was just such an incredible experience."

Thanks, Susan!

Read entire story here!

HAPPIER DAYS!



Remember Julie in this stunning red dress during the early 90's? Oh, for the "Good ol' Days!" Thanks Susan, for sending this picture!



ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

"Funny Girl"

Our own Susan has finished her successful run in FUNNY GIRL as Mrs. Brice at the Golden Apple Dinner Theater!! Bill said she was wonderful!

Hey, this is Della and I would like to concur with Bill, Susan was fantastic as Mrs. Brice! We had the pleasure of seeing her, Saturday night, May 3rd, and what a performance. She looked beautiful in her red wig and just sparkled as the very delightful mother of Fanny Brice. We had such a good time and enjoyed the play so much, we hope to make it down again to see Bill as Billy Flynn. As always, a great star, a great performance and a great time was had by all!

While Susan was appearing in "FUNNY GIRL", Bill was rehearsing for the smash razzle-dazzle hit "CHICAGO" as Billy Flynn!

All this was at the Golden Apple Dinner Theater (25 No. Pineapple Dr., Sarasota, FL).

Here are some interesting pictures of Bill from the show!

Reviews are in and they are fabulous! "The charismatic Bill Hayes takes the stage as Billy Flynn clad in a tuxedo, as if he's a Sinatra-style crooner just arrived from Vegas for a special night just for us. It's unlike previous portrayals of Flynn by Orbach or Gere, and yet it works well within the context of a vaudeville show. He has a comfortable, easy rapport with the audience, delivering his lines seemingly off the cuff. While onstage, he orchestrates the action, and he can still hold a note. Dee Richards dresses her cast all in black with plenty of skin showing, reminiscent of the revival costumes. It's a very sexy show anchored by a great chorus." From the Bradenton Herald


Bill and Susan appeared at "The Star-Studded Show of Shows," the annual benefit concert for the City of Hope in Florida March 10, 2008, at the Florida Atlantic Auditorium in Boca Raton. This was for the Phyllis Dropkin Chapter of the City of Hope
who raise money for AIDS and Breast Cancer Research.

Ever wonder what Palm Springs Follies' folk do when they’re not onstage?

Professional Dancers Society holds an awards luncheon honoring celebrities who’ve made extraordinary contributions to the entertainment industry annually. This also serves as the Society’s major fundraising event, raising upwards of $100,000 annually for The Actors Fund.

Recently, Follies Impresario Riff Markowitz and other Follies cast members traveled to Beverly Hills to attend the 2008 event, where this year’s celebrity honoree was the legendary Mary Tyler Moore.


Among those in attendance with Mary Tyler Moore were Dorothy Kloss and Follies 13th season guest star Bill Hayes!

LOVE LETTERS

Bill and Susan performed LOVE LETTERS by A. R. Gurney at the (new, renovated, reopened) Temple Theater, Sanford, NC:

Hello and Happy New Year! Well, what a way to begin 2008! On Saturday, January 5, I was in the audience of Love Letters, starring our favorite two people, Bill and Susan Hayes! And if you are a reader of our page, you know that I have seen this play with Bill and Susan, in West Virginia. I thought it was wonderful, I laughed and I cried. So this time, when I sat in my seat, I was excited and a little smug, I knew the story, so I wouldn't cry this time. But I should have known better, as soon as they began, I was drawn in and was laughing and by the end, crying. When Bill and Susan do this play, in which they become the characters, Andy and Melissa, they draw you in and for the next two hours you are invited into the lives of these two people. From children writing letters, because they are expected to, all the way to adulthood and now, writing letters becomes the lifeline between these two people. It is a great play, but it becomes a magical play, when it is done by Bill and Susan. Not only are they wonderful, talented actors, but they must have also discovered the Fountain of Youth! These two just look younger every time I see them and if possible, Susan is more beautiful and Bill is more handsome. After the play was finished and they were given a standing ovation, Bill and Susan talked to the audience and even sang, "Somebody Loves Me", then invited the audience to meet them on their way out in the foyer. My group waited until the last and what a delightful way to end the magical evening, by getting a hug from Bill and Susan! They look even younger up close!



They always make us feel so welcome and make sure that I get a picture for the page. To know these two very special people is a privilege and a dream come true.



Thank you Bill and Susan! We love you!



Hayes and Hayes appeared in LOVE LETTERS in Springfield, IL, in February at at Hoogland Center for the Arts, Springfield, Il.

In Concert

Susan and Bill finished working in a production of FOLLIES at The Little Theatre On The Square in Sullivan, IL. It was the 50th anniversary of the opening of the theatre. Bill previously played 1776, THE FANTASTICKS, GEORGE M! and THE MUSIC MAN there. Susan and Bill together played THE TWO OF US. Susan played "Carlotta" and Bill played "Buddy." Both Bill and Susan sang in this production!

An Opening Night Gala Reception was held Friday after the show. The reception also featured a meet and greet of the cast and crew of Follies.

Champagne Pops Series

Well, what can I say? Another incredible night of talent that is Bill Hayes! His one man concert at the Club House #3 in Laguna Woods was just the most entertaining, enjoyable, night of music, dancing and laughing. Everytime I see him perform, I can just tell that this is his passion, his love and probably the only thing he loves more would be Susan and his family!! We all know the love and relationship that Bill and Susan have, you can see it, feel it and just by looking at them together, you know it is that love that is pure and true. But this concert also had another element to it and that was Bill's family! They came from all across the United States, from Illinois to Texas and those close by in California. His daughter who lives in North Carolina, Carrie, was trying her best to get there, but the strong winds in Dallas, TX prevented her arrival. She missed one fantastic concert, but I'm sure her family will fill her in! Over 30 members of Bill's family were cheering and sending their love to him and trust me, they were a fun group! They welcomed me along with my Mother and sister into their family and we felt like we had known them forever. Bill has been blessed with a wonderful family who loves and supports him and after the show, when they took a picture of the whole group, you could see the love in their faces. I know I say this everytime I see Bill and Susan, that it is the best, but I would have to say, that this time it was just extra special! And the icing on the cake, was during the intermission, I had the pleasure and honor of helping Susan with their table, selling the book and CD. I really enjoyed hearing the fans, who were mostly retirees, tell Susan how much they enjoyed her on Days, and how they were enjoying the show, Bill's incredible talent and how did he have so much energy? Susan had a great comeback, his secret was "her"! If only the producers and writers of Days could see the reactions and hear what the fans have to say, maybe they would realize that Days needs Bill and Susan and that the fans love them and would love the chance to see them back in Salem! Thanks Bill and Susan for another magical evening! And also to the whole Hayes family! We love you too!!

The Gregory Mantell Show

Mr. Mantell recently sent the following link to view his interview with Bill and Susan. It's 28 minutes of scintillating conversation between the three of them! Click here to watch!

William Foster Hayes III, Ed.D. spoke at the International Conference of Jewish Genealogical Societies. His 1998 dissertation was titled Family History Study Units in Secondary Schools: Their Educational Impact which validates the educational benefits of using family history in the curriculum.

There was a book signing after the panel presentation.

Bill and Susan celebrate the USA's Birthday!

Soap Opera Weekly in it's July 25th issue had this great picture of Bill and Susan joining other Soap stars that supported a benefit for Children of the Night in Studio City. Looks like a good time was had by all!

"LIKE SANDS THROUGH the HOUR GLASS"

What?? Hayes and Hayes have written a book? It's true!!

The publisher is New American Library, an arm of Penguin-Putnam Publishers, ISBN: 0451216601, and the release date was just in time for the celebration of Days' 40th anniversary.

Some of it is about Days, but most of it about love and is primarily autobiographical in a "He Said, She Said" format. You can order the book online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and Books-A-Million.com.

Bill and Susan appeared at the Grand Opening of the Firefly Grill in Effingham, IL for a book signing.

From the Herald and Review
Soap opera and real life couple Susan and Bill Hayes sign books for fans in Effingham
By SHARON MOSLEY - For the Herald & Review (Edited)

"EFFINGHAM - "In the end, it's about love." Susan Seaforth Hayes was talking about daytime television drama, but she could also be talking about her long-term marriage to husband, Bill Hayes."

"That's not the way I remember it. I can't tell you how many times we said that," said Bill Hayes. "But, it was fun."

Other successful book signings have been held, the first one being at Dutton's Beverly Hills Bookstore; Borders of Bakersfield; Peppertree Bookstore, in Palm Springs, CA; the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre in Sarasota, FL; at Barnes & Noble, in (Morgantown) Grandview, West Virginia where they had a colossal turnout!


Thank you for the photo, Connie!

Hayes and Hayes appeared at the 11th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Free to the public, it offered something for all ages and interests. Every year, it adds up to be America's largest and grandest literary event.

Guess who attended the Book Fair? That's right, another great weekend in Los Angeles and another chance to see Bill and Susan in person for Della! They signed books and spoke with their fans for an hour and I got to chat with them after their time was over. As always, they were so gracious and caring. Even as they were leaving, they still had fans running up to them to talk or take a picture, and each and every time, they stop, talk, listen and gladly pose for a picture! They are the best! Check out the fun shots of Bill and Susan! Great times, thank you once again!

Bill and Susan appeared at the Palm Springs Book Festival at the Palm Canyon Theatre! Here is an exerpt from the schedule:
CELEBRITY BIOGRAPHIES: STORIES BEHIND THE SCREEN

Panelists: PHYLLIS DILLER, TAB HUNTER, BILL HAYES, SUSAN SEAFORTH HAYES

BRUCE FESSIER, Entertainment Editor for The Desert Sun moderated this fun panel which looked into the writing of a celebrity biography.

They did a book-signing in Abilene, TX at Books-a-Million,
on Friday. T. Childs provided pictures!

Line of fans to see Bill and Susan

Susan takes a picture of the line!


Bill and Susan stop for a picture.

They have had several extensive radio and syndicated-columnist interviews! One of which may be heard here with David English. It lasts about 42 minutes.

~~FUNDRAISING APPEARANCE!~~

Bill and Susan were in Morgantown, WV again for a special fundraising production of "Love Letters" and a book signing afterwards. The fundraiser was for West Virginia Public Theatre.

Hello Everybody!

Well, what can I say, another magical evening with Bill and Susan! Especially when they are the only two in the play. The chemistry they have was showcased in the play, "Love Letters" and their readings had you laughing and crying and totally involved in the lives of their two characters. It's obvious that West Virginia Public Theatre loves Bill and Susan and that they love West Virginia Public Theatre! The audience was totally smitten with them from the opening of the curtains, this was obvious by the sound of laughter and applause, and the lines that waited after the program to get an autograph or just say hello. Bill and Susan gave a wonderful performance and afterwards spoke to the audience about the importance of public theatre and how the play was to raise money to restore the old theatre where the play was held. Susan was presented with a fabulous bouquet of red roses, and Bill was given a very unique lantern that was used in the mines. I had the privilege of taking care of the roses for them after the play and the following pictures, taken by Susan show just how beautiful they were, almost as beautiful as the woman they were given too! Once again, I just have to say, a wonderful evening with two wonderful people! My word of advice, never miss an opportunity to see these two perform, it's pure Magic!!


Della and Bill!

~~MARTHA STEWART APPEARANCE!~~

Bill and Susan appeared on MARTHA STEWART Wednesday, March 29th, and it was so refreshing to see these two great stars on television again. They talked about their book, and made an Easter centerpiece with Martha, with Bill eating a part of a chocolate bunny to go into the centerpiece! (Bill said it was very good chocolate!) They received a standing ovation and gave each audience member
a copy of their book!

Is There Anyone Busier?

Next, they did The Joey Reynolds Show late Wednesday night (midnight to 1:00am).

They then trained down to Washington, DC, and did Bill Thompson's Eye-on-Books. The interview with Bill & Susan is on Mr. Thompson's podcast and on the website as well. It is an excellent, entertaining interview! The podcast will remain available for download for 90 days, while the Eye on Books interview will be available to listen to via streaming for a minimum of one year.

Bill Thompson said, "They were about as nice, sweet and hospitable as you could imagine." He graciously provided a photo for our site.

Finally on to Wilmington, DE, to do the YOUR MORNING TV show (east coast--Maine to Florida).

All this hard work just keeps them young!

Over the holiday season, Bill and Susan had some fun around Los Angeles. Susan participated in the Studio City, Christmas Parade, even spotting Kristian Alfonso in the crowd! Bill had to be out of town on family business, but our Mrs. Hayes was a trooper and had a grand time waving to the crowds from her decorated golf cart!

Bill also was spotted in a Beverly Hills local entertainment paper, attending a Hollywood party, and looking quite dapper in his black and yellow! Looking mighty fine, Mr. Hayes!


We miss scenes like this:

Doug and Julie decide to do the town!

But Hope needs them to babysit Zack; they'll even treat them to Chinese take-out!

Zack decides to start a food fight!

Formal attire or not, Doug joins in!

Julie cleans the kitchen, Doug cleans Zack and all is well!

Thank you, SoapCity.com and Sheryl at DOOL2 for sharing these great photos.

Special Appearance!

Museum of Television & Radio gave a seminar on Days of Our Lives in Los Angeles.


Forty Years of Days of Our Lives

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives." For forty years viewers of the classic soap opera Days of Our Lives have heard these words intoned by the late Macdonald Carey, one of the show's original stars. More than 10,000 episodes of Days have been produced, making it the longest running scripted program in NBC's history, with only Today and The Tonight Show surpassing its longevity. Members of the cast and creative team reminisced about the melodramatic events that have occurred in the fictitious town of Salem and shared their favorite memories from Days of Our Lives, which premiered on November 8, 1965.

Hey Everybody, Della here!

I was at this event and what a night! So much fun and so many Days' stars in one room, but the two biggest stars to this longtime fan and most definitely the two nicest were our own Doug and Julie! They were the highlight of the panel discussion with their delightful stories, talk of the book and remembering how great Days used to be. Deidre Hall praised the book and really gave it a good review! Below are a couple of pictures of that very magical night!

New Fans Speak!

The following was posted in our guest book and we felt it was worth seeing by everyone!

"We recently had the pleasure of sailing with Susan and Bill on one of their Crystal Cruises and the good fortune of being assigned to their table for the length of the cruise. They are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet--genuine, intelligent, funny...and very much in love.

Since we hadn't gotten hooked on soaps in the past, we didn't have a clue at the start of our cruise just how lucky we were to be able to get to know them this way. We looked forward to every one of their presentations, which were presented with grace, style, wit, respect for their craft and affection for their fans. It is easy to see how they have developed such a devoted following, both on Days of Our Lives and in "real life."

When we returned home, I went to the Internet to read all about Bill and Susan and was pleased to see so much information about them, especially the excellent site I found at http://members.tripod.com/~Hartlee/index.html. It was very satisfying to know that our new friends are recognized for being the wonderful people they are.

We have many fond memories of our cruise--but none better than the pleasure of getting to know Bill and Susan.

During our cruise, Susan was contacted to arrange a taping of an episode of Days of Our Lives. Since the taping was scheduled for July 1, the air date will probably be around July 15, two weeks later. We are programming our VCR already! (It actually aired August 3rd and 4th and Susan looked positively fabulous!)

At the risk of getting hooked as a new fan, I have to join the chorus of those who say "BRING BACK DOUG AND JULIE!"

~On the Road Again!~

Bill and Susan returned from Jerusalem around Easter. Bill said, "Our trip to the Holy Land was outstanding! It was quite moving to see the actual spot in Bethlehem, the Cave of Nativity, and then later to walk the Via Dolorosa and see where Jesus was tried, scourged, disrobed, nailed and crucified. We were expecting that, though. What we didn't expect was the energy that hit us in the face at the Western Wall. All those millions of prayers said at that very spot over the past 2,500 years were very real. It was super emotional, spiritual and exciting all at once."

.....................................................Bill and Susan on the Sea of Galilee.
..............................................................Thank you, Bill and Susan, for the photo!


Great News!

Bill's new CD, dedicated to Susan, is brilliant and sales are soaring!! The arrangements are flawless. The variety of tunes is wonderful in that it compliments his range of music, from opera to Broadway to rock to ballads. His performance of each piece is perfect. There must be nothing he can’t sing! And Susan's photography for the liner notes is excellent! Susan's comment on the new CD?
"I fell in love all over again!"
You may listen to clips from this CD, read Bill's bio, which is full of unknown facts, purchase photos and the CD here.

Ah, the good old Days! Weren't they terrific?


Elizabeth Harrower Seabold was the mother of actress, Susan Seaforth Hayes and mother in law to actor Bill Hayes. When we saw the eulogy Susan had written for her mother's memorial service, we asked to put it on our website to share with the world what a fabulous person Elizabeth Harrower Seabold really was.

Early Edition's...

tribute to Doug Williams and Bill Hayes was beautiful. They also included Julie in the tribute because it's never just been Doug; it's never just been Julie; it's ALWAYS been Doug and Julie. Go here to see the photos and listen to the music. Thank you Barb, Laney and Linda for this special tribute and the link back to our site!


Remember this? The only soap opera couple ever to have appeared on the cover of Time magazine--
Bill and Susan!

This from an Early Edition poll for favorite couples:


DOUG & JULIE WILLIAMS
Soap couples don’t come any better than this. Married, divorced, then married again, Doug was also married to Julie's mother and fathered Julie's half-sister, Hope. And now Hope is also Julie's step-daughter. Confused? What we can't be confused about is what a super couple Doug and Julie form, and how likeable each of them is alone, and how great they are when put together. Their love has withstood the test of time, and having them still around in Salem today is wonderful! We’re never quite sure if we’re voting for "Doug and Julie" or honoring and congratulating Bill and Susan for their many years together...either way, this real-life married couple represents a bond so deep and true that through the actors' devotion and passion...their characters' write their own storyline with just a gaze into each other's eyes...they are simply too good together...they never seem to be acting in front of a camera. They are the only soap couple to have appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, and many feel Days was put on the map with that cover. Who can resist a love that has lasted for SO long and through SO many travails? Who can forget all of Doug's serenades to his fair lady? And it ended up in a REAL love that has lasted forever. They're gorgeous, they're sexy, and they're SO in love. She's whacky and he's just a sort of go-with-the-flow kind of guy. They compliment each other very well. They both would do anything for you and each has a heart of gold. Thus the feeling by so many, that Doug & Julie should be the next matriarch & patriarch of Days of Our Lives.

We couldn't agree more!! Thank you Barb, Laney and Linda!!


Join us to talk about Days at Salem Days of Our Lives!

LEGAL    STUFF

This page is in no way affiliated with NBC, Corday Productions, Days of Our Lives, the AP, or Sony Television. All characters, locations, storylines, etc. are the property of, and copyrighted by, Corday Productions. Anything we have written is copyrighted by this announcement. All information on our page is from our memory and anything not written by us, we hereby give credit to and is copyrighted to the Author. Sources for pictures are copyrighted by the original sources of the pictures, and music by ASCAP. If you wish to use something from this page, please ask and give us credit for it. This page is for information and entertainment only, and no infringement is intended. Like you, we are fans and we do not in any way profit from this page.
Please visit us again, soon!!
LANA and DELLA