Actor Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth recently produced a website meant to share how t real life and reel life couple of "Days of Our Lives" have loved, lived, and worked together for five decades.
The couple first kissed on-screen on July 23, 1970, and it was also their real-life first kiss.
The couple married in 1974 as a real-life couple. Two years later, they married as characters in the "Days of Our Lives," Doug and Julie. Fifty years later, the "Days of Our Lives" show is still running, and the award-winning couple is still going stronger in their relationship.
According to Bill, the idea came from his recently divorced grandson. After his divorce, their grandson asked them how they kept their marriage successful since 1974.
Ever-loving grandparents, the couple wrote them down for him. Later, the grandson asked them if they could share it with others to inspire more couples to keep their relationship stronger. "He suggested we share them with others on the Internet," added Susan.
Nuggets of Soap Opera Lover's Secrets
The website Secrets of Soap Opera Lovers is a collection of tips for building happy and fulfilling relationships.
- Saying I love you every day
- Singing and dancing together
- Keeping promises
- Supporting your partner's dream
- Kiss your lover first thing in the morning and last at night.
Bill noted that kissing your lover is "our number one secret."
Susan added that the couple made love scenes on the screen, "so naturally we have to rehearse them at home." Susan also said they need to practice kissing a lot to perfect it on-screen.
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Highlighting "Days of Our Lives"
Bill and Susan share their secrets in a series of short videos. The love advice is often backed with a clip of their characters from the show.
The video features scenes from "Days of Our Lives" to highlight their point in each video.
Susan admitted that it took them years to organize as they needed to secure permission from various companies to use the show's clips.
Even after 50 fifty years, fans of "Days of Our Lives" still love Bill and Susan's character on-screen.
"It's not Shakespeare, but the writers continue to make Doug and Julie fresh as the times change and as we age," said Susan.
'Thoughtful and thorough on COVID-19 protocols
"Days of Our Lives" has been affected by the pandemic, but the couple has minor reservations about working the studio.
Susan said that NBC has been "incredibly thoughtful and thorough" about the couple's safety.
NBC cleans the set before and after it is used, and the make-up artists are only allowed to work with the couple for ten minutes at a time. Susan also explained that everyone wears masks or shields, and COVID-19 tests are given every time they arrive at the studio, Susan explained.
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