Soap legend Deidre Hall is marking a major milestone with “Days of Our Lives”. The beloved actress is celebrating 50 years of playing Marlena, and the hit Peacock soap gave her a party worthy of the queen of daytime that she is. Access Hollywood was on set for the celebration, where her co-star and real-life friend, Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), spoke about their close bond.
‘Days of Our Lives’ Legend Susan Seaforth Hayes Talks Deidre Hall Friendship
In the Access Hollywood segment, Hall was filled with gratitude as she looked around at her “Days of Our Lives” family. Hall called it a gift to still be part of the soap five decades later.
Hayes was one of Hall’s co-stars who talked to Access Hollywood for the piece on Hall’s 50th Anniversary. The soap legend didn’t focus on Hall’s career but rather the close bond they have developed over the years, sharing a touching real-life moment.
“When I was losing my husband in real life, who was also my husband on the show, she came to be at Bill’s bedside. The support and the tenderness, that outpouring has stuck with me a lot,” she expressed, referring to the death of beloved soap star and Hayes’ great love, Bill Hayes (Doug).
That wasn’t the only thing Hayes had to say about her friend. Hayes used Instagram to share a sweet photo of her with Hall and their co-star Judi Evans (Adrienne/Bonnie). The three women were in the parking lot of the “Days of Our Lives” studio following Hall’s 50th anniversary party.
“Yesterday in the parking lot of our studio two of Dee’s most devoted fans, Judi Evans and me, gathered to chat in the sun about the loving salute Ken Corday hosted honoring Dee’s 50 years of Days appearances! The turnout was full of cheers and words of gratitude for our Deidre’s talent, beauty, wit, and stellar character,” Hayes wrote.
The soap icon added that it was a celebration worthy of the queen of daytime, Hall, and her legacy as Marlena on the hit Peacock soap.
‘Days of Our Lives’ Fan Favorite Stephen Nichols Celebrates ‘Queen’ Deidre Hall
Hayes wasn’t the only soap legend gushing over Hall on her big day. Stephen Nichols (Steve) was decked out in a suit in the Access Hollywood segment, where he, too, got emotional talking about his friend.
The beloved actor referred to Hall as “the queen” and “the diva of daytime” revealing he had to dress up to honor her. Nichols shared Hall is always perfectly put together, so he wanted to do the same for the actress.
Nichols also used social media to mark this major career milestone for his co-star. He posted a funny video of them after the party, where he wished her a happy anniversary, and she thanked him with a kiss on the cheek. It was a sweet moment, and Nichols’ words for Hall in his caption were even sweeter.
“What an extraordinary legacy. For five decades, @deidrehall_official has brought grace, strength, heart and unforgettable moments to Salem — and to all of us lucky enough to work beside her. Congratulations on this amazing milestone, Dee. Here’s to you, your remarkable career and the love you’ve inspired for generations of fans,” he wrote.
Hall debuted as Marlena on “Days of Our Lives” on June 21, 1976, after spending two years playing Barbara Anderson on “The Young and the Restless.” Initially, she thought she would be on the hit Peacock soap for 13 weeks.
Five decades later, Hall remains a pivotal part of the show. Hall made fans happy at her 50th anniversary celebration when she told Access Hollywood that she has no plans to retire. In fact, she declared, the powers that be will have to take her key card away if they no longer want her on the daytime drama.
