Michael Praed was born in Berkeley, England to Derrick and Kay Prince, but spent his early years in Iran because his father worked as an accountant for a petroleum company. Michael was sent back to England for a public school education, which he did not enjoy. He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. As there was already a "Michael Prince" listed in Equity, Michael chose the surname "Praed" from the phone book. He began his career in repertory theatre before moving on to roles in London's West End.
Throughout the 70s and a good part of the 80s, Bill Hayes and his second wife, Emmy-winning Susan Seaforth Hayes, reigned as the Lunt and Fontanne of daytime soaps. Prior to this he had become a noted singer/actor on the Broadway stage and in night clubs. Born William Foster Hayes III in Harvey, Illinois, on June 5, 1925, and raised in the Midwest, his father was a bookseller (for 41 years). He got his talent from his dad who enjoyed singing and local community theater performing on the sly.
