Born in Washington D.C., Helen Hayes became a legend. She was not just an actress. She was a trailblazer. Her story is deeply intertwined with the American Theatre.
Helen Hayes earned the unofficial title of First Lady of the American Theatre. This title reflects her immense talent and significant acclaim. The Helen Hayes Awards are given annually to the best theatre in Washington D.C. This honor underscores her lasting impact on the city’s cultural scene.
Hayes achieved rare distinctions. She had a Broadway theatre named in her honor. Moreover, she was among the few to win a Tony, Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Award. These accolades highlight her versatility and excellence across different entertainment mediums.
Beyond her talent, Helen Hayes is remembered as a dedicated philanthropist. She committed herself to many causes despite personal hardships. When the theatre community in Washington D.C. faced a turning point, Hayes was there to push for progress. She even challenged The National Theatre’s leadership.
Hayes was born on October 10th, 1900. Her mother Essie and father Frank nurtured her passion for the stage. Essie, an actress herself, guided Helen’s early theatrical training. She sent her daughter to New York to audition for Lew Fields. He was a successful comedian. Fields cast eight-year-old Helen in her first major role.
Hayes quickly became a star. She toured the country as the lead in Pollyanna. Then she won acclaim on Broadway in Dear Brutus. This opened just months after her eighteenth birthday. This marked the start of an enormously successful career. It included numerous Broadway and touring productions.
Seeking more control over her career, Hayes left her producer George C. Tyler. She joined Actors’ Equity. This was a risky and influential move at the time. With her theatre career thriving, Hayes ventured to Hollywood. She starred in the 1931 film The Sin of Madelon Claudet. She won her first Oscar for this role. She became the first major stage actress to win an Academy Award. This opened doors to work with Hollywood’s leading figures, including Clark Gable, John Barrymore, and Robert Montgomery.
Despite her film success, Hayes’s true love remained the theatre. She excelled in playing royals. She portrayed Mary Stuart in Mary of Scotland. She also played Queen Victoria in Victoria Regina. Her performance as Queen Victoria at The National received praise from critics. Even Queen Victoria’s granddaughter found Hayes’s performance uncannily accurate.
Hayes found her husband Charles MacArthur on the stage. He was a playwright. They met at a party and Hayes was instantly smitten. Sadly, MacArthur returned from World War II with an alcohol addiction. They had two children, Mary and James. Mary’s death from polio worsened Charles’s addiction. He died in 1956.
After losing her husband and child, Hayes dedicated herself to touring. She also appeared in film and television. She earned further awards and acclaim. Eventually, health issues forced her to retire from stage acting in 1971. The film Airport, which earned her a second Oscar, was released the same year. She continued making screen appearances well into her 80s.
In 1947, The National Theatre discriminated against Black patrons. Helen Hayes joined other theatre makers in signing a pledge against these practices. The pledge condemned discrimination in the theatre. Hayes stated she would not perform in any Washington theatre that practiced discrimination.
The National Theatre refused to change its policies. It eventually closed and became a movie house. Thankfully, it reopened as an integrated theatre. Hayes made auspicious returns, including a special guest appearance after remodeling in 1985.
Helen Hayes died at 92. By then, the Helen Hayes Awards were already established. This was a fitting tribute to her career. It was filled with prizes. These included a lifetime achievement Tony, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Medal of Arts. Hayes left a legacy of dedication to her craft and the betterment of others. She graced The National often and effectively. She remains beloved to this day.