Helen Hayes MacArthur (née Brown; October 10, 1900 – March 17,
1993)[1] 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.