Kathryn Hays

Life and career

Hays was born Kay Piper in Princeton, Illinois and grew up in Joliet. Hays was married to actor Glenn Ford from 1966 to 1969.

In the 1966–1967 television season, Hays appeared as Elizabeth Reynolds Pride in the NBC western series The Road West, with co-stars Barry Sullivan, Andrew Prine, Kelly Corcoran and Glenn Corbett. She played Sullivan's wife and Prine's stepmother (though she was only three years his senior). Corbett appeared as her brother, Chance Reynolds. In 1968, she appeared on Star Trek in the episode "The Empath" portraying Gem, a mute alien capable of assuming the pain and the injuries of others, and thereby healing them.

Hays played guest starring parts in many sitcoms and drama series throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s, as well as appearing in films such as Ride Beyond Vengeance (1966) and Counterpoint (1968). In 1972, she was cast as Kim Sullivan Hughes on CBS's As the World Turns. She remained with As the World Turns until its final episode on September 17, 2010. The character of Kim was a pivotal heroine on the show for over thirty years. Hays was prominently featured in the 50th anniversary episode of the show, which aired in April 2006. Prior to her role on As the World Turns, Hays played the role of Leslie Bauer on Guiding Light. Hays is also respected for her work on the stage, having appeared on Broadway several times, including Dames at Sea with Bernadette Peters.

Hays' other appearances include guest roles in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order, Marcus Welby, M.D, Bonanza, and Branded. Ms. Hays also guest starred with Clint Walker in the 1971 TV film Yuma. She played the part of hotel owner Julie Williams.