During the course of her seven-decades long acting career, Helen Hayes won the Academy Award two times. Hayes earned the nickname "First Lady of the American Theater", and was one of only twelve people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Academy Award. Hayes won the Oscar in the Best Actress category in 1932 for her role in the film "The Sin of Madelon Claudet", but did not win her second Oscar until 1970 as the Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Airport".
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Helen Hayes was born in Washington D.C., on October 10, 1900. Her birth name was Helen Hayes Brown, and her parents were Francis W. Brown, and Estella Catherine Hayes. By the time Helen was ten years old she was already acting in movies, acting in a short film called "Jean and the Calico Doll". She made her debut in sound films in the movie "The Sin of Madelon Claudet", for which she also won the Academy Award. She also had roles in the films "Arrowsmith", with Myrna Loy, and "A Farewell to Arms" with Gary Cooper. She also had roles in a few Disney movies, such as "Herbie Rides Again". Although Helen found success in movies, she actually preferred stage work. Hayes was forced to retire from theater work due to asthma. Helen was married to the playwright Charles MacArthur, and their daughter, Mary, died from Polio. Their son, James MacArthur, was an actor himself, and had a role in the hit television show, "Hawaii Five-O".
The Helen Hayes Theater, located in New York City, was named in her honor in 1983, after she gave her consent to tear down another theater that had been named in her honor.
The review of this Book prepared by Nathaniel Ford
