'DOOL' Maree Cheatham Shares Kind Words Bill Hayes Told Her

Actress Maree Cheatham was part of Days of Our Lives since the very start. While she’s appeared off and on over the years, she’s set to make a return during an upcoming milestone episode for the soap. The actress recently spoke out about her upcoming appearance. While doing so, she also shared some kind words that late actor Bill Hayes shared with her during their time together.

Maree Cheatham Was On Days Of Our Lives From The Start

Cheatham was one of the original cast members of Days of Our Lives back in 1965. As Marie Horton, she was one of the soap’s original heroines. Since 1973, she’s appeared on and off the series throughout the years.

Cheatham has actually had quite a career in soaps. She also appeared in General Hospital, Port Charles, Passions, and Knots Landing. Outside of soaps, she also had a notable role as Nona on the children’s series Sam & Cat, playing the grandmother of Ariana Grande’s character.

Maree Cheatham - Instagram — Maree Cheatham – Instagram

Most recently, the actress is set to appear in Days of Our Lives‘ 15,000th milestone show, which will air on December 2. The actress recently talked about what it was like returning to the show in a conversation with TV Insider.

Cheatham noted that, “It’s such an honor to be called back for this very auspicious and emotional [occasion]. DAYS has to be congratulated for lasting this long and going into the future with streaming. This is the future of television!”

As previously reported, the soap is using its milestone episode to help pay tribute to the late actor Bill Hayes. Cheatham talked about what it was like working with star, even sharing a compliment he gave her.

The Actress Noted She Was In A Play With Bill Hayes

As Cheatham shared, “My goodness. Bill was a good friend. He was a colleague. Bill gave me the best compliment I’ve ever had. I carry it in my heart.”

“I played his wife in a play. He said, ‘Oh, Maree. I love the look in your eyes when you look at me on stage. It’s filled with love.'”

Bill Hayes - YouTube — Bill Hayes – YouTube

The actress also touched on the sadness of the situation. As she noted, “Soaps are the only genre where you can go to a person’s funeral twice. You go to the real person’s funeral and then you go to the character’s funeral. And you cry twice.”

Cheatham was then asked about any memories she had about her time on the soap. As she noted, “I was on the very first episode and I am the last surviving member of the original Horton family. I worked for the original Cordays [Ted, the show’s creator, and his wife Betty, who became executive producer after Ted passed away] and now, their son, Ken – it’s just like going home.”

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