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Helen Hayes Biography

Birth Name:Helen Hayes

Birth Place:Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Co-founded the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982 with friend, Lady Bird Johnson
Of Irish descent, her maternal grandparents emigrated to the United States from Ireland during the Irish Potato Famine
Preferring stage productions over television and film, she returned to Broadway in 1935 where she would perform in numerous plays for several decades until her retirement in 1971
A stage actress since five-years-old, she would only move to Hollywood after marrying husband Charles MacArthur, who had recently signed a film contract
Served on the board of directors for the Greater New York Council of the Girl Scouts of the USA during the 1970s
The Fulton Theatre on Broadway was renamed after her in 1955 and later the Little Theater in 1983

Awards

1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1932Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1932Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1932Audience Referendum-Most Favorite Actress: winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
1935Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1952Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1957Golden Globe-Best Actress - Drama: nominated
1958Primetime Emmy-Actress - Best Single Performance - Lead or Support: nominated
1959Primetime Emmy-Best Single Performance by an Actress: nominated
1971Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
1971Golden Laurel-Best Supporting Performance, Female: winner
1972Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1974Primetime Emmy-Best Lead Actress in a Limited Series: nominated
1975Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series: nominated
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama or Comedy Special: nominated