Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes (1900–1993) was an American stage and film actress widely known as the “First Lady of American Theatre.” Born in Washington, D.C., she began performing as a child and became a leading Broadway star, celebrated for her poise, clarity, and emotional range. Hayes also appeared in Hollywood films, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for *The Sin of Madelon Claudet* (1931) and later the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for *Airport* (1970). Her career spanned more than six decades across theatre, film, and television. She is sometimes credited as an author for memoirs and related works reflecting on her life and work.