Kathryn Hays, ‘As the World Turns’ and ‘Star Trek’ actress, dead at 87
FAIRFIELD, Ct. – Actress Kathryn Hays, best known for her portrayal of Kim Sullivan Hughes on “As the World Turns” for nearly four decades died March 25 in Fairfield, Connecticut, at the age of 87.
The Connecticut Post announced Hays’ passing on Friday.
A cause of death has not been released.
Don Hastings, who played Hays’ onscreen husband on the soap opera, issued the following statement, obtained by People magazine:
“Our relationship as Bob and Kim was as close as Kathryn and my relationship, except we were not married,” Hastings, 88, said. “We were more like brother and sister, and we were great friends. Our biggest squabble was that she always wanted to rehearse, and I wanted to take a nap. This is a huge loss to all who knew her.”
In addition to her 38-year “ATWT” run, Hays also appeared as Gem in the original “Star Trek” episode “The Empath”; wowed Broadway with her turns in “Ladybug, Ladybug,” “The Irregular Verb To Love” and “Hot September”; and made guest appearances on more than 40 TV shows, from “Dr. Kildare” to “Law & Order,” according to her obituary.
Born in Princeton, Illinois, Hays began her professional acting career in the early 1960s with appearances on such series as “Hawaiian Eye,” “Surfside 6,” “Naked City” and “Route 66,” Deadline reported.
“Think Donna Reed in ‘It’s A Wonderful Life,’ with a bit of Bette Davis thrown in for good measure. Her family and friends knew her as a source of love and laughter. Raucous laughter, much of the time, because she had a spot-on sense of humor,” Hays’ obituary stated.
According to People, Hays is survived by daughter and son-in-law Sherri and Bob Mancusi; three grandchildren: Kate, Cameron and Garrett Wells; and a great-grandson, Jack.
Veteran actor Kathryn Hays reminisces about her 36 years on CBS’s soap opera "As the World Turns," during a break in taping an upcoming episode at JC Studios in New York, Monday, June 14, 2010. Hays died March 25, 2022, in Fairfield, Connecticut, at the age of 87
AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
FRANCE – CIRCA 1966: Glenn Ford and his wife Kathryn Hays. Paris, 1966. HA-1754. (Photo by Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – AUGUST 03: HERE COME THE BRIDES – "A Kiss For Just So" 1/29/69 Kathryn Hays (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
FRANCE – CIRCA 1966: Glenn Ford and his wife Kathryn Hays. Paris, 1966. HA-1811. (Photo by Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
MOVIE OF THE WEEK – "Yuma" – Airdate March 2, 1971. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) KATHRYN HAYS;CLINT WALKER
MOVIE OF THE WEEK – "Yuma" – Airdate March 2, 1971. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) KATHRYN HAYS
MOVIE OF THE WEEK – "Yuma" – Airdate March 2, 1971. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) KATHRYN HAYS
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 2: AS THE WORLD TURNS. From left (standing) Dr. Dan Stewart (John Reilly, 1974-1976), (on gurney) Dr. John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) and Kim Dixon (Kathryn Hays). (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – JULY 24: HERE COME THE BRIDES – "A Kiss for Just So" 1/29/69 Kathryn Hays, Robert Brown (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – CIRCA 1966: Actor Glenn Ford and wife actress Kathryn Hays attend at party in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Kathryn Hays and Don Hastings during "As The World Turns" Celebrates 50 Years in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 11,1966: Actor Glenn Ford and wife actress Kathryn Hays attend the premier party for "The Bible" in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Actor Robert Goulet, wife Carol Lawrence, actor Glenn Ford and wife Kathryn Hays attending the opening party for ‘Happy Time’ on January 18, 1968 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Kathryn Hays during "As The World Turns" Celebrates 50 Years in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES – CIRCA 1966: Actor Glenn Ford and wife actress Kathryn Hays attend at party in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
American Actress Kathryn Hays, 01.05.1967. (Photo by Avalon/Getty Images)
Kathryn hays is keeping Maximilian Schell distracted in a scene from the film ‘Counterpoint’, 1967. (Photo by Universal Pictures/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – MAY 30: From left to right: Don Hastings (as Bob Hughes), Kathryn Hays (as Kim Hughes), Don MacLaughlin (as Chris Hughes) and Helen Wagner (as Nancy Hughes) star in the CBS television series "As The World Turns" on May 30, 1985. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
(Original Caption) Actor Glenn Ford and actress Kathryn Hays are shown as they leave Church after they were married today March 27. The couple plan a month-long tour of the orient. It is the second marriage for both.
American actor Glenn Ford (1916 – 2006) with his second wife, actress Kathryn Hays, 20th April 1966. (Photo by Les Lee/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Glenn Ford et sa femme Kathryn Hays au Festival de Cannes le 6 mai 1966, France. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
HIGH CHAPARRAL — "Tornado Frances" Episode 4 — Pictured: Kathryn Hays as Frances O’Toole — (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Kino. Ride Beyond Vengeance, aka: Der Tag der Abrechnung, USA, 1966, Regie: Bernard McEveety, Darsteller: Chuck Conners, Kathryn Hays. (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)
