With son James MacArthur passing away at the ripe old age of 72, after a distinguished six decades long career on stage and screen, actress mom Helen Hayes, hailed as the First Lady of the American Theatre is again in the news.

MacArthur had said in an interview that his favorite “Hawaii Five-O” episodes was the one in which he co-starred with mom Helen Hayes. In the 1975 segment titled ‘Retire in Sunny Hawaii Forever’, Danno’s Aunt Clara was played by Hayes, who helps detectives Steve McGarrett and Danny “Danno” Williams to solve a murder whodunit and “book ‘em”.

MacArthur had a blue-blooded acting lineage with playwright Charles MacArthur as adoptive father and actress Helen Hayes for mom.

Helen Hayes’ mantelpiece boasted of everything: an Oscar, a Grammy,a Tony, and an Emmy. She began to act when she was a five year old and never stopped until she turned 85. The luminous beauty brimming with talent encouraged aspiring starlets to aim high and emulate her feats.

In her evocative autobiography, titled ‘On Reflection’, Helen Hayes recounts memories of her early childhood where her Essie, her aspiring actress mother who would tell her hilarious tales about her journeywoman life on the road. Hayes found strength in Essie’s ability to search for joy even in a drab life, constrained with marriage and the travails of motherhood.

Helen Hayes’ first role was that of Peaseblossom in ‘ A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. From that school production onward, she never looked back.

Image Credit: