Born and raised in Swansea, Wales, Hayward relocated to Australia and joined the Army, where he became an officer while he was still nineteen. However, he did not see himself as a career soldier.

After attending the National Institute of Dramatic in Sydney (NIDA), he worked onstage, appearing in productions from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams, while at the same time directing touring companies. He adopted the forename Chard, the surname of a famous British Army officer.

Hayward's first marriage was to former Miss Australia, Sarah Gray. His second was to actress Cynthia Killion. He has two sons, including actor Adam Gray-Hayward.

After moving to the United States, Hayward moved his family from Los Angeles to Ventura, a coastal city some 60 miles north.