So, let’s talk about Susan Seaforth Hayes. If that name doesn’t instantly ring a bell, just picture the queen of daytime drama who has been stealing scenes for decades. She’s basically the Godmother of soap operas, but with way more hairspray and fewer horse heads. Trust me, by the end of this, you’ll be ready to binge her entire filmography.

First, we have to start with the soap opera crown jewel: Days of Our Lives. Susan stepped onto the set in 1968 as Julie Olson Williams, and she never really left. She’s played Julie through weddings, amnesia, and a shocking number of evil twin situations. My favorite part? She married her on-screen husband, Bill Hayes, in real life. Talk about method acting!

The Queen of Salem

On Days, Susan is the eternal matriarch of Salem. She’s delivered some of the sassiest one-liners ever uttered on daytime TV. Her character Julie once slapped someone so hard I felt it through the screen. You don’t mess with a Hayes.

But let’s not forget her other soap stints. Susan also graced The Young and the Restless as Joanne Stuart. She brought that same fire, proving she could make even a recast look iconic. Seriously, if you need a scheming grandma, she’s your gal.

Beyond the Bubbly World

Now, you might think Susan only lived in the land of amnesia and dramatic music. Nope! She popped up on prime-time TV too. Ever catch her on The Love Boat? She was on it twice, because who can resist falling in love on a cruise ship? Nobody, that’s who.

She even dabbled in film. Her big-screen debut came in the 1958 movie The Buccaneer, a pirate flick directed by Anthony Quinn. Yes, Anthony Quinn. She played a French girl, and I bet she out-sassed the entire pirate crew.

A Little Bit of Everything

Remember The Bold and the Beautiful? She popped in there too, as Ann Douglas. She basically hopped from soap to soap like a hyperactive rabbit. It’s like she had a secret map to every drama-filled living room in America.

'Days of our Lives' Stars Deidre Hall, James Reynolds and Eric Martsolf'Days of our Lives' Stars Deidre Hall, James Reynolds and Eric Martsolf

She also made a guest appearance on Will & Grace in 2003. She played a nun—which is hilarious given her soap scheming background. I like to imagine Julie Olson Williams doing penance for all those slaps.

The Secret to Her Longevity

So, how does she keep going? Energy. Lots of it. Susan Seaforth Hayes has been acting since the 1950s, and she’s still going. She even wrote a memoir called Like Sands Through the Hourglass—yes, named after the Days tagline. She’s a walking, talking piece of TV history.

And can we talk about her voice? It’s like warm honey mixed with a little bit of sass. You could listen to her read a phone book and still be entertained. To be fair, she’d probably find a way to make the phone book dramatic.

The Husband Factor

Her real-life romance with Bill Hayes is the stuff of legend. They met on Days, fell in love, and got married in 1974. They stayed married until Bill passed away in 2024. Fifty years! That’s longer than most soap opera marriages last. They even released a duet album called Remember Me? Yes, they sang love songs together. Cue the happy tears.

In their later years, they appeared together in commercials for the show’s 50th anniversary. They were basically the royal couple of daytime TV. If they had a reality show, I would have watched every single episode.

Days of Our Lives' Susan Seaforth Hayes Anniversary (Julie) TributeDays of Our Lives' Susan Seaforth Hayes Anniversary (Julie) Tribute

What Can We Learn From Susan?

Susan Seaforth Hayes proves that age is just a number, especially if you have good cheekbones and a sharp tongue. She started on a dusty set in the 60s and ended up as a streaming-era icon. She even won a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. As she said in her acceptance speech, "I’m taking this home to Bill."

She also taught us that it’s okay to be dramatic—within reason. Need to confront a friend? Do it like Julie Olson Williams. Channel that inner diva. Just maybe skip the slap unless they really deserve it.

And here’s the best part: she’s still active. As of 2025, Susan still makes appearances on Days of Our Lives. You can catch her stirring up trouble in Salem right now. She’s like a fine wine—gets better, tarter, and more delightful with every year.

Final Scene

So, next time you’re flipping channels and see a silver-haired woman making a dramatic exit, stop and watch. It’s probably Susan Seaforth Hayes. She’s the reason soaps are so addictive, and the reason we all secretly wish we had a little more sass in our lives.

Remember this: Susan didn’t just act in movies and TV shows—she created a legacy. She brought laughter, tears, and a whole lot of style to our screens. And if you ever feel old, just remember that she’s been playing the same character since 1968. That’s not aging—that’s immortality. Cheers to you, Susan! Keep on scheming.