Origins & Early Life

Helen Hayes MacArthur (née Brown; October 10, 1900 – March 17, 1993) was an American actress. Often referred to as the "First Lady of American Theatre", she was the second person and first woman to win the EGOT (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award), and the first person to win the Triple Crown of Acting. 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.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The annual Helen Hayes Awards, which have recognized excellence in professional theatre in greater Washington, D.C., since 1984, are her namesake. In 1955, the former Fulton Theatre on 46th Street in New York City's Theatre District was renamed the Helen Hayes Theatre. When that venue was demolished 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. Her career spanned 82 years.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A leading philanthropist in later decades, Hayes was most proud of her 49-year association with the Helen Hayes Hospital, a non-profit rehabilitative center overlooking the Hudson River in West Haverstraw, New York. ��2�...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Copland — Contemporary (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Dennis Gabor — Contemporary (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering physicist known for the invention of holography and electron optics.
• Friedrich Nietzsche — Contemporary (Died in 1900) (1900): Influential German philosopher known for 'Will to Power' and 'Übermensch'
• Alia Bhatt — Contemporary (Born in 1993) (1993): Acclaimed British-Indian actress known for versatile roles in Hindi cinema.
• André the Giant — Contemporary (Died in 1993) (1993): French wrestler and actor, famed for his colossal size and wrestling career.
• Ariana Grande — Contemporary (Born in 1993) (1993): Iconic pop vocalist known for her four-octave range and global influence.
• Abel Tasman — Shared historical date (10-10 · Died) (1659): Dutch explorer famed for charting Tasmania and New Zealand for the VOC.
• Alberto Giacometti — Shared historical date (10-10 · Born) (1901): Swiss master of existential sculpture, known for elongated, fragile human figures.
• Daniel Bernoulli — Shared historical date (03-17 · Died) (1782): Swiss mathematician and physicist, known for fluid mechanics and probability.
• Edmund Kean — Shared historical date (03-17 · Born) (1787): A celebrated but controversial Shakespearean actor of the early 19th century.
• 1900 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1900
• October 10 (10-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 10
• 1993 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1993
• March 17 (03-17) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 17