Profile Text
Birth Name: Helen Hayes Brown
Date of Birth: October 10, 1900
Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., U.S.
Date of Death: March 17, 1993
Place of Death: Nyack, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity: * father – English, Welsh * mother – Irish
Helen Hayes was an American actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for The Sin of Madelon Claudet (1931), and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Airport (1970). She was nicknamed “First Lady of American Theatre.”
Helen was the daughter of Catherine Estelle (Hayes) and Francis Van Arnum Brown. Her father was of English and Welsh descent and her mother was of Irish descent. She was married to playwright and screenwriter Charles MacArthur, until his death. The couple had two children, including actor James MacArthur. Charles was the brother of insurance magnate, real estate investor, and philanthropist John D. MacArthur, of the MacArthur Fellowships; and the great-great-uncle of stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Hayes MacArthur .
Helen’s paternal grandfather was named James Lemuel Brown. James was born in Maryland.
Helen’s paternal grandmother was Charlotte E./Ann Edwards (the daughter of Henry Edwards and Margaret/Margret Grant). Charlotte was born in Maryland. Henry was Welsh.
Helen’s maternal grandfather was named Edward Patrick Hayes. Edward was Irish, from Cork.
Helen’s maternal grandmother was named Ann Downes/Downs/Dounes. Ann was born in Cheshire, England, to Irish parents.
Sources: Genealogy of Helen Hayes (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Helen Hayes on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Likely marriage record of Helen’s maternal grandparents, Edward Patrick Hayes and Ann Downes/Downs/Dounes – https://www.familysearch.org