Advertisement
Advertisement

Helen Hayes and James Stewart

Updated Jun 26, 2025
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
Helen Hayes and James Stewart
A photo of Helen Hayes and her autograph on the Playbill in Harvey with James Stewart..
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Share this photo:

People tagged in this photo

Helen Hayes
Helen Hayes MacArthur (née Brown; October 10, 1900 – March 17, 1993) was an American actress whose career spanned almost 80 years. She eventually garnered the nickname "First Lady of American Theatre" and was one of 12 people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (an EGOT). Hayes also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, from President Ronald Reagan in 1986. In 1988, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts. The annual Helen Hayes Awards, which have recognized excellence in professional theatre in greater Washington, DC, since 1984, are her namesake. In 1955, the former Fulton Theatre on 46th Street in New York City's Broadway Theater District was renamed the Helen Hayes Theatre. When that venue was torn down in 1982, the nearby Little Theatre was renamed in her honor. Helen Hayes is regarded as one of the Greatest Leading Ladies of the 20th century theatre. Early life Helen Hayes Brown was born in Washington, D.C., on October 10, 1900. Her mother, Catherine Estelle (née Hayes), or Essie, was an aspiring actress who worked in touring companies. Her father, Francis van Arnum Brown, worked at a number of jobs, including as a clerk at the Washington Patent Office and as a manager and salesman for a wholesale butcher. Hayes' Irish Catholic maternal grandparents emigrated from Ireland during the Irish Potato Famine. Hayes began a stage career at an early age. She said her stage debut was as a five-year-old singer at Washington's Belasco Theatre, on Lafayette Square, across from the White House. By the age of ten, she had made a short film called Jean and the Calico Doll, but moved to Hollywood only when her husband, playwright Charles MacArthur, signed a Hollywood deal. Helen Hayes MacArthur, also known as Helen Brown in her early years, attended Dominican Academy's prestigious primary school, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, from 1910 to 1912 during which she appeared in The Old Dutch, Little Lord Fauntleroy, as well as other performances. She attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart Convent in Washington and graduated in 1917. Career In the film What Every Woman Knows (1934) Her sound film debut was The Sin of Madelon Claudet, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She followed that with starring roles in Arrowsmith (with Ronald Colman), A Farewell to Arms (with actor Gary Cooper, whom Hayes admitted to finding extremely attractive), The White Sister (opposite Clark Gable), What Every Woman Knows (a reprise from her Broadway hit), and Vanessa: Her Love Story. However, Hayes did not prefer that medium to the stage. Hayes eventually returned to Broadway in 1935, where for three years she played the title role in the Gilbert Miller production of Victoria Regina, with Vincent Price as Prince Albert, first at the Broadhurst Theatre and later at the Martin Beck Theatre. In 1951, she was involved with the Broadway revival of J.M. Barrie's play Mary Rose at the ANTA Playhouse. In 1953, she was the first-ever recipient of the Sarah Siddons Award for her work in Chicago theatre, repeating as the winner in 1969. She returned to Hollywood in the 1950s, and her film star began to rise. She starred in My Son John (1952) and Anastasia (1956), and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as an elderly stowaway in the disaster film Airport (1970). She followed that up with several roles in Disney films such as Herbie Rides Again, One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing and Candleshoe. Her performance in Anastasia was considered a comeback—she had suspended her career for several years due to the death of her daughter Mary, and her husband's failing health. In 1955, the Fulton Theatre was renamed for her. However, business interests in the 1980s wished to raze that theatre and four others to construct a large hotel that included the Marquis Theatre. To accomplish razing this theatre and three others, as well as the Hotel Astor, the business interests received Hayes' consent to raze the theatre named for her, though she had no ownership interest in the buildings. Parts of the original Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway were used to construct the Shakespeare Center on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, which Hayes dedicated with Joseph Papp in 1982.[10] In 1983 the Little Theater on West 45th Street was renamed the Helen Hayes Theatre in her honor, as was a theatre in Nyack, which has since been renamed the Riverspace-Arts Center. In early 2014, the site was refurbished and styled by interior designer Dawn Hershko and reopened as the Playhouse Market, a quaint restaurant and gourmet deli. Book written by Helen Hayes in 1971-72 with friend Anita Loos. Hayes, who spoke with her good friend Anita Loos almost daily on the phone, remarked to her friend "I used to think New York was the most enthralling place in the world. I'll bet it still is and if I were free next summer, I would prove it." With that, she convinced her friend to embark on an exploration of all five boroughs of New York. They visited and explored the off-the-beaten track of the city; Bellevue Hospital at night, riding a tug boat hauling garbage out to sea, they went to parties, libraries, and Puerto Rican markets. They spoke to everyday people to see how they lived their lives and what made the city tick. The result of this collaborative effort was the book, "Twice Over Lightly" published in 1972. It is unclear when or by whom Hayes was called the "First Lady of the Theatre". Her friend, actress Katharine Cornell, also held that title, and each thought the other deserved it. One critic said that Cornell played every queen as though she were a woman, whereas Hayes played every woman as though she were a queen. Hayes was hospitalized a number of times for her asthma condition, which was aggravated by stage dust, forcing her to retire from legitimate theater in 1971, at age 71. Her last Broadway show was a 1970 revival of Harvey, in which she co-starred with James Stewart. Clive Barnes wrote, "She epitomizes flustered charm almost as if it were a style of acting ... She is one of those actors ... where to watch how she is doing something is almost as pleasurable as what she is doing." She spent most of her last years writing and raising money for organizations that fight asthma.
Age in photo:
James Stewart
James Maitland Stewart, better known as Jimmy Stewart, was a beloved American actor who captivated audiences with his endearing charm, impeccable acting skills, and relatable characters. Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania in 1908, Stewart initially pursued a degree in architecture before discovering his passion for acting. He went on to become one of the most accomplished actors of his time, earning numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. Stewart's performances in films such as "It's a Wonderful Life," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," and "Vertigo" have cemented his status as a Hollywood legend. However, Stewart's contributions to his country as a military veteran are equally notable. After being drafted into the US Army during World War II, he put his acting career on hold and served as a bomber pilot, earning several commendations for his bravery and service. Despite his fame and success, Stewart remained a humble and down-to-earth individual throughout his life. He was known for his strong work ethic, his loyalty to his friends and family, and his unwavering commitment to his country. To this day, he is remembered not only for his talent as an actor, but also for his integrity, courage, and patriotism.
Age in photo:
Advertisement

Topic related photos

Celebrities
Celebrities
Discover the lives and legacies of notable celebrities from the past, like Bette Davis and John Wayne, by browsing photographs of them in their prime.
The lasting impact of celebrities from the past cannot be denied; they continue to be an essential part of our cultural history. Through their talent, charisma, and unique personalities, they entertai...
Stewart
Last name
116k+ people193 photos
Hayes
Last name
68.9k+ people105 photos
Advertisement

Followers

Amanda S. Stevenson
For fifty years I have been a Document Examiner and that is how I earn my living. For over 50 years I have also been a publicist for actors, singers, writers, composers, artists, comedians, and many progressive non-profit organizations. I am a Librettist-Composer of a Broadway musical called, "Nellie Bly" and I am in the process of making small changes to it. In addition, I have written over 100 songs that would be considered "popular music" in the genre of THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK.
My family consists of four branches. The Norwegians and The Italians and the Norwegian-Americans and the Italian Americans.
Cecilia Fx
About me:I haven't shared any details about myself.
Tabitha Pike
Hello my name it Tabitha Robin Pike. I am married to John Marshall Pike Jr, son of John Marshall Pike Sr. Grandfather Raymond Pike, aunt Maryfay Pike. John and I are on a search to solve a family mystery that has went on for years, since 1945. We want to find anyone that is related to us and hope we can be of help to others that are searching as well. Raymond Alage Pike United States Census, 1930 Name: Raymond A Pike Event Type: Census Event Date: 1930 Event Place: Callensville, Pendleton, Kentucky, United States Gender: Male Age: 8 Marital Status: Single Race: White Race (Original): White Birth Year (Estimated): 1922 Birthplace: Kentucky Father's Birthplace: Kentucky Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky Relationship to Head of Household: Son Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son Sheet Letter: A Household Role Sex Age Birthplace Louis A Pike Head Male 38 Kentucky Ella M Pike Wife Female 33 Kentucky J W Pike Son Male 14 Indiana Ruth E Pike Daughter Female 13 Indiana Adah Pike Daughter Female 12 Kentucky Zadah Pike Daughter Female 12 Kentucky Raymond A Pike Son Male 8 Kentucky Louis M Pike Son Male 2 Indiana Hilda Pike Daughter Female 1 Kentucky Raymond A Pike was married to Mary Montana Croswit and they had a daughter Marilyand Mary Fae Pike in 1940. Raymond A Pike and Hazel Fouts had a son John Marshall Pike Sr in 1945. We are looking for any living relatives to Raymond, Mary Fae that are living that could share some family history, along with family tree, pictures that will help fit and fill in all the missing pieces of this side of the family.. Love to meet or get in contact with any living relatives from this family tree. Please email [contact link] if you have any info about family living or deceased. Of Raymond A Pike, son John Marshall Pike Sr 1945 living, and his son John Marshall Pike Jr 1971 to present. Because they are looking for realities on this side of the family tree.
Advertisement
Back to Top