Stars Celebrate Susan Seaforth Hayes’ 50th Anniversary at DAYS OF OUR LIVES (EXCLUSIVE)

By Chris Eades Updated: December 11, 2018

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Susan Seaforth Hayes

December 11, 2018 marked Susan Seaforth Hayes’ 50th anniversary as Julie Williams on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. “My gratitude to the show is enormous,” she confided to Soaps In Depth. “I’m not tired of doing it. I’m still pleading with the producers at the moment, ‘Please, can I do more?” Because it’s so fulfilling for the audience that has been with the show from the beginning. But mostly because it is so fulfilling for me. I am still in love with my husband, with acting, and with the show.”

The role of Julie was recast a couple of times before Seaforth Hayes joined the cast of DAYS back in 1968. Of course, at the time, she was just Susan Seaforth — she met her husband, Bill Hayes on the set and their characters, Doug and Julie, were happily married just like the actors!

Days of Our Lives Doug Julie — Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Doug and Julie are a supercouple on DAYS and in real life! (Photo Credit: Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

“My life has been entirely embraced by Salem,” Seaforth Hayes smiled. “Some of the most important people in my life have been producers of DAYS, writers of DAYS, that have been angels that reached down and set me on a good and happy path.”

To congratulate Seaforth Hayes on her incredible five decades in daytime, some of her DAYS castmates shared heartfelt messages to their dear friend. Check them out in the gallery below!

For more from Hayes on her daytime legacy, don’t miss her photo-filled flashback interview in the current CBS issue of Soaps In Depth, on sale now!

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Marci Miller Says an Emotional Goodbye to DAYS

Nadia Bjorlin Says Goodbye to the Departing Bryan Dattilo (EXCLUSIVE)

Suzanne Rogers Susan Seaforth Hayes

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Suzanne Rogers (Maggie)

“Susan is probably the closest thing that I have to a sister here in California. She helped me when I first came on the show. I’d done theater and musicals, but I didn’t know anything about this medium whatsoever, and she was very kind to me. That will always stay with me.”
Days Julie Bonnie

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Judi Evans (Adrienne/Bonnie)

“Congratulations, Susan. You mean the world to me. You are a consummate actress and friend and the funniest, most intelligent, incredibly educated person that I’ve ever met. I love you!”
Days Eric Julie Rafe Hope

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Greg Vaughan (Eric)

“Susan is an incredible woman and just a delight to be with because she shows up bright-eyed, bushy tailed and ready to go. And the way she wears her heart on her sleeve is so pure and such a pleasure to be part of. To have a place to spread her wings for 50 years? We all hope that we could have just a fraction of that much success. I’m glad that she’s still with us on the show… she sets the bar high.”
Denise Alexander Susan Seaforth

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Denise Alexander (ex-Susan)

“I have marveled at how surely Susan knew when she found her path in life, how devoted she was to that, how creative, and what a lovely successful life she has formed. She is always lovely, caring to her friends, a true artist in her work, and then of course—there is Bill. She knew. Talk about wisdom. Here is a great thing: No matter how much time passes, when we do connect… I still feel like a loved friend. That is pretty grand!”
Days Julie Ciara

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Victoria Konefal (Ciara)

“Susan’s energy gives everyone else life. The second she steps on set, she’s one of the most intriguing people to watch. She’s improvs a lot, but not in a disrespectful way where she’s abandoned ship on the writing. She just adds a little bit of her own flair to the scenes. There was this one moment when Julie had a dispute with Gabi and as she was running out, she said something like, ‘Things always go wrong when this bitch shows up!’ As soon as they yelled ‘cut!’ there was is unanimous burst of laughter throughout the studio. It was phenomenal.”
Susan Seaforth Hayes Melissa Reeves

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Melissa Reeves (Jennifer)

“Every time I know Susan’s going to be in, I’m so happy. I love everything about her! First of all, I love her love with Bill. I also love her professionalism, her tenacity and how much she loves being there. And I really love the example that she’s set for all of us for over the years. She’s a phenomenal woman, and her life with Bill and all their traveling… I pick their brain about it all the time.”
Days Julie Claire

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Olivia Rose Keegan (Claire)

“Susan has such a presence. She and Bill are such a wealth of knowledge, and it’s such a privilege to be around them and to have their input and advice. Susan is always so willing to tell you what you need to hear, in the greatest, most endearing and smart way. She’s a powerhouse.”
Days Gabi Julie

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Camila Banus (Gabi)

“Susan is someone that I’ve learned a lot from. I remember when we were doing the scenes where Gabi shot Nick, and he showed up in the square all bloody. Julie was the only person who cared that he was leaving this Earth. During rehearsal, Susan’s neck snapped up and she turned over to where Galen Gering [Rafe] were laughing hysterically because he’d made some joke and said, ‘Could at least one of you look at me!?!’ It shook everybody because in that moment, it was her character that spoke. This kid was dying in front of her, and no one was paying attention. From the minute that happened, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. She shows such passion and commitment.”
Days Jj Julie

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Casey Moss (JJ)

“Congratulations, Susan. I love you and Bill. You’re really a couple to look up to, and I appreciate our conversations together.”
Days Chloe Julie

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Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe)

“My favorite memory of working with Susan would be everything since Julie and Chloe became co-owners of Doug’s Place. I love the snippiness that Chloe and Julie have with each other because it’s very unlike our real-life relationship dynamic. Susan’s always sincerely interested in knowing about me and my family. And she and Bill really love music and opera, so they’re always asking if I’ve seen anything, or sharing what they’ve seen, or wanting to know what I’m singing.”
Days Julie Rafe

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Galen Gering (Rafe)

“I remember being so nervous about doing the scenes where Julie confronted Rafe about sleeping with Sami (even though he and Hope were broken up!) because I knew Susan was going to come in with piss and vinegar, and sure enough she did! But it was so fun to be part of something like that with her because I knew she was going to bring it. With that said, I really adore our friendship. She and Bill are remarkable stewards of the show, so it’s truly an honor to be able to spend time with her and work together. She’s a fantastic human.”
Susan Seaforth Hayes Lamon Archey

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Lamon Archey (Eli)

“When I first started on DAYS, Susan and I had an in-depth conversation about family and our upbringing. We’re both from the [CA] Bay Area, so she knew about certain places from my childhood. That was a moment that I will always remember. I’m so happy to be a part of Susan’s legacy on the show. Fifty years is not only a blessing, but also something to be extremely proud of.”
Days Nick Julie

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Blake Berris (ex-Nick)

“I was lucky enough to film my final moments as Nick opposite Ms. Hayes, and I got to know her a bit during that storyline. She’s one of the most iconic daytime actresses ever, and you absolutely feel that when you’re working with her. She’s bold, brazen, and gutsy… a total powerhouse. Congratulations, Susan.”