This video was presented on television nationwide in the late 1950s. The speaker is Helen Hayes, known as the "First Lady of American Theatre.” She was a highly esteemed actress whose career spanned almost 80 years. Hayes achieved fame for her versatile performances across stage, film, and television. Her exceptional talent and dedication to the craft of acting earned her the rare and prestigious EGOT status, having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award, making her one of the few performers to achieve this feat.

While Helen Hayes was not primarily known for her political activism, like many of her contemporaries in the arts, she held views on social and political issues of her time. Hayes was known for her philanthropy and her support for various causes, including children's welfare and health issues. T

Hayes's legacy is primarily centered on her contributions to the arts rather than her political views. Her life in the public eye was more focused on her work as an actress and her dedication to the theater, which left an indelible mark on American culture. Helen Hayes passed away on March 17, 1993, but remains a celebrated figure in the history of American performing arts for her outstanding achievements and her enduring impact on theater and film.

In this presentation, she speaks about the home and the family. Helen Hayes had a family and children. She was married to Charles MacArthur, a noted playwright and screenwriter. The couple married in 1928, and their marriage lasted until MacArthur's death in 1956. They had two children:
Their daughter, Mary, was an aspiring actress. Tragically, she died of polio at the age of 19, a loss that deeply affected Hayes and her family.

Their adopted son, James MacArthur, went on to become a successful actor in his own right. He is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Danny "Danno" Williams on the original television series "Hawaii Five-O," which aired from 1968 to 1980.

Helen Hayes's family life, marked by both its joys and sorrows, was an integral part of her personal story. Her son's success in acting created a legacy of performance that extended beyond Hayes's own remarkable career, while the loss of her daughter Mary had a profound impact on her. Despite the challenges and tragedies she faced, Hayes remained a respected and beloved figure in the arts until her passing in 1993.