Helen Hayes
Biography
Helen Hayes was an American actress whose career spanned nearly seventy years. Born Helen Hayes Browne in Washington, District of Columbia, on October 9, 1900, she earned the nickname First Lady of the American Theatre. She was among twelve individuals to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is America's highest civilian honor. She subsequently received the National Medal of Arts in 1988. She is also the namesake of the annual Helen Hayes Awards, established in 1984 to recognize excellence in professional theatre in the greater Washington, District of Columbia area. Hayes passed away on March 17, 1993, at the age of ninety-two in Nyack, New York.
Career overview
Helen Hayes was an American actress born in Washington, District of Columbia, whose career spanned almost seventy years. Known for her extensive work in acting, she earned seventy-six known credits according to professional records. Her life in the entertainment industry established her legacy as one of the most notable figures in American theater and film.
Throughout her life, she received numerous prestigious accolades and honors. She was recognized as one of twelve individuals to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is recognized as America's highest civilian honor. Additionally, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1988.
Her lasting influence on the performing arts is further commemorated through the annual Helen Hayes Awards, which have recognized excellence in professional theatre in the greater Washington, D.C. area since 1984. Helen Hayes was born on October 9, 1900, though other records note her birth date as October 10, 1900, in Washington, D.C. She passed away on March 17, 1993, at the age of ninety-two in Nyack, State of New York.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
87 titles- Airports (2025)
- Bill Cosby: Walking Free (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Gary Cooper: The Face of a Hero (1998) as Self (archive footage)
- The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- Divine Mercy No Escape (1994)
- MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
- Night of 100 Stars III (1990) as Self
- The Ten-Year Lunch (1987) as Herself - Participant
- Murder with Mirrors (1985) as Miss Jane Marple
- Highway to Heaven (1984)
- A Caribbean Mystery (1983) as Miss Jane Marple
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Murder Is Easy (1982) as Lavinia Fullerton
- Hopper's Silence (1981) as Herself
- All Star Tribute to Ingrid Bergman (1979) as Self
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- Old Friends... New Friends (1978) as Self
- A Family Upside Down (1978) as Emma Long
- The Love Boat (1977) as Agatha Winslow
- Candleshoe (1977) as Lady St. Edmund
- Arthur Hailey's The Moneychangers (1976) as Dr. McCartney
- Victory at Entebbe (1976) as Etta Grossman-Wise
- One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975) as Hettie
- Herbie Rides Again (1974) as Mrs. Steinmetz
- The Snoop Sisters (1973) as Ernesta Snoop
- Ghost Story (1972) as Miss Gilden
- Harvey (1972) as Veta Louise Simmons
- The Female Instinct (1972) as Ernesta Snoop
- Do Not Fold, Spindle, or Mutilate (1971) as Sophie Tate Curtis
- Airport (1970) as Ada Quonsett
- Arsenic and Old Lace (1969) as Abby Brewster
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Aunt Clara
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Here's Lucy (1968) as Kathleen Brady
- Tarzan (1966)
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Challenge of Ideas (1961) as Narrator
- The Dow Hour of Great Mysteries (1960) as Cornelia Van Gorder
- The Bat (1960) as Cornelia Van Gorder
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self
- Play of the Week (1959) as Mother Hildebrand
- Third Man on the Mountain (1959) as Hotel guest (uncredited)
- Four Women in Black (1957) as Sister Theresa
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Accepting Award for Apa-Phoenix
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Winner
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Previous Winner
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self (archive footage)
- Anastasia (1956) as Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna
- A.N.T.A. Album of 1955 (1955) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Main Street to Broadway (1953) as Self
- Omnibus (1952)
- Omnibus (1952) as Bessie Arlington
- Omnibus (1952) as Mrs. Dearth
- Omnibus (1952) as Mrs. Larue
- My Son John (1952) as Lucille Jefferson
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Essie
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as The Vicaress
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Veta Louise Simmons
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Honora Canderay (woman)
- The Ezio Pinza Show (1951) as Self
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Queen Victoria
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Helen Hayes
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Kraft Television Theatre (1947) as Self - Host
- Stage Door Canteen (1943) as Helen Hayes
- Cavalcade of the Academy Awards (1940) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood Goes to Town (1938) as Self
- Vanessa: Her Love Story (1935) as Vanessa Paris
- What Every Woman Knows (1934) as Maggie Wylie
- Crime Without Passion (1934) as Woman in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
- Night Flight (1933) as Madame Fabian
- Another Language (1933) as Stella Hallam
- The White Sister (1933) as Angela Chiaromonte
- A Farewell to Arms (1932) as Catherine Barkley
- The Son-Daughter (1932) as Lian Wha
- The Sin of Madelon Claudet (1931) as Madelon Claudet
- Arrowsmith (1931) as Leora Tozer Arrowsmith
- The Dancing Town (1928) as Olive Pepperall
- Riders of the Range (1923) as Inez
- The Weavers of Life (1917) as Peggy
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Helen Hayes best known for?
Helen Hayes is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992), Joint Security Area (2000), The Kennedy Center Honors (1978), The Love Boat (1977).
When and where was Helen Hayes born?
Helen Hayes was born on October 9, 1900 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. They passed away on March 17, 1993.
How many credits does Helen Hayes have?
Helen Hayes has accumulated over 87 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1923 to 2025.
What is Helen Hayes's background in cinema and television?
Helen Hayes was an American actress whose career spanned nearly seventy years. Born Helen Hayes Browne in Washington, District of Columbia, on October 9, 1900, she earned the nickname First Lady of the American Theatre. She was among twelve individuals to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. In 1986, Pres...
Helen Hayes by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Essie — aged about 50
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as The Vicaress — aged about 50
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Veta Louise Simmons — aged about 50
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self — aged about 58
- MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992) — aged about 91
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Helen Hayes — aged about 49
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