Kathryn Hays facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kathryn Hays
Hays with Robert Vaughn in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1965).
Born	Kay Piper (1934-07-26)July 26, 1934 Princeton, Illinois, U.S.
Died	March 25, 2022(2022-03-25) (aged 87) Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Years active	1962–2010
Spouse(s)	Sidney Steinberg ​ ​ (m. 1957, divorced)​ Glenn Ford ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1969)​ Wolf Lieshke ​ ​ (m. 1984; div. 1986)​
Children	1

Kathryn Hays (born Kay Piper; July 26, 1934 – March 25, 2022) was an American actress. She was most famous for playing the character Kim Hughes on the TV show As the World Turns. She was on this CBS soap opera from 1972 until 2010.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Kathryn Hays was born Kay Piper in Princeton, Illinois, on July 26, 1934. She was the only child of Roger and Daisy Piper. Her parents divorced when she was very young. Kathryn was raised by her mother, who worked as a bookkeeper and banker, and her stepfather, Arnold Gottlieb.

Growing Up and Changing Her Name

She grew up in Joliet, Illinois. Kathryn studied at Northwestern University and also worked as a model. In 1962, she decided to change her name to Kathryn Hays. She chose her mother's maiden name, Hays, for her new last name.

Her Family Life

Kathryn Hays was married three times. Her first marriage was to Sidney Steinberg in 1957. They had one daughter named Sherri. Later, in 1966, she married actor Glenn Ford, but they divorced in 1969. Her third husband was Wolfgang Lieschke, who worked in advertising.

Acting Roles in TV and Movies

Kathryn Hays appeared in many TV shows and movies throughout her career. She often played guest roles in popular series.

Memorable TV Appearances

In 1968, Kathryn Hays had a special role in Star Trek. She played a quiet alien named Gem in an episode called "The Empath". Gem had amazing healing powers. Hays also appeared in other well-known shows like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and The Road West.

She once said that it was a great time to start acting. Many TV shows back then had strong female guest stars. Later in her career, she also appeared in crime dramas like Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Roles in Films and Theater

Kathryn Hays also acted in movies. Some of her films include Ride Beyond Vengeance (1966) and Counterpoint (1968). She also appeared in the TV movie Yuma. Besides TV and movies, Hays performed in plays on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City.

Her Long Career on As the World Turns

Kathryn Hays is best known for her role as Kim Hughes on the soap opera As the World Turns. This was a very important part of her acting life.

Playing Kim Sullivan Hughes

In 1972, she joined the cast of As the World Turns on CBS. She played the character of Kim Sullivan Hughes for many years. Kim was a main character on the show for over three decades. Kathryn Hays stayed with the show until its very last episode on September 17, 2010. She was also a big part of the show's 50th anniversary special in 2006.

Before As the World Turns

Before joining As the World Turns, Kathryn Hays played a nurse named Leslie Jackson Bauer on another TV show called The Guiding Light.

Reunions and Tributes

In May 2020, Kathryn Hays took part in an online reunion for As the World Turns. This was part of a series of YouTube videos that brought together actors from old soap operas. After she passed away, The Locher Room also created a special tribute to her in 2022.

Later Life and Passing

Kathryn Hays passed away on March 25, 2022. She was living in a special care facility at the time.

Filmography

Kathryn Hays appeared in many films and television shows. Here are some of them.

Film Roles

Television Roles