ATWT Vet Kathryn Hays Dead at 87
Kathryn Hays, who played Kim on CBS‘ As the World Turns for 38 years, died on March 25 in Fairfield, Conn. She was 87.
No cause of death has yet been stated.
Hays’ career began in the early 1960s, with roles on series such as Hawaiian Eye, Dr. Kildare, Route 66, Bonanza and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. In 1966, in The Road West, she landed the role of Elizabeth Reynolds, which she played for all 29 episodes of the 1860s-set serial.
Hays is also well remembered for playing the titular Gem in the 1968 Star Trek episode “The Empath.” All told, she made guest appearances on over 40 TV shows, most recently in a 2007 episode of Law & Order: SVU.
It was in August 1972 when Hays originated the role of As the World Turns‘ Kim Sullivan Hughes, whom she would play until September 2010 (when the CBS sudser went off the air after 54 years).
In a statement, ATWT scene partner Don Hastings said, “Our relationship as Bob and Kim was as close as Kathryn and my relationship, except we were not married. 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.”
Hays’ career also included Broadway productions of Ladybug, Ladybug, The Irregular Verb to Love and Hot September, plus summer stock productions of Showboat, Richard Rogers’ Two By Two, Follies, Dames at Sea and A Little Night Music.
Hays is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sherri and Bob Mancusi; three grandchildren, Kate, Cameron and Garrett Wells; plus her great-grandson Jack. Those wishing to honor her memory may contribute to The Greater Bridgeport Symphony in Bridgeport, Conn., The First Church of Christ Scientist in Westport, Conn., or your favorite dog rescue organization.
RIP, Ms. Hays. Such a versatile actress. Sad to hear this.
R I P. It’s like losing a family member.😢
While life and death are arcs along the circle of life, and often played out in soap operas, I am still saddened by this news. I loved As the World Turns. It was the best daytime drama, and Miss Hays was among the greats who made it so. Oh, I think how she as Kim encouraged Bob (and all of us) to look forward in that final scene of the last episode. The world still turned but it was not the same. Years of strong stories and characters that were like family to viewers. Thank you, Miss Hays, for your talent, hard work, class, and time. God bless!
Thank you Kim Hays for your years of entertainment and calmness and fierceness, when required, and class. And thank you @mattwebbmitovich for continuing to honor our soap greats and great soaps.
Watched this lady for many years. May she Rest in peace 🙏 🕊 !!!
She was fantastic and played Kim so wonderfully. Kim was a true lady, but would cut you if you tried to mess with someone she loved. She didn’t curse but if she whipped out a “toots” or “kiddo” you knew that ish was about to get REAL.
RIP, Ms. Hays.
No one could make the word “kiddo” sound so threatening better than Kathryn Hayes.
Rest in Peace.
That is so true. Such a simple word, but such an effective put down/threat coming from Kim’s mouth.
Quick edit: ATWT scene partner DON Hastings
Good catch; I grew up watching his brother Bob on GH.
Saw her in a Northeast Louisiana University theater performance of “Guys and Dolls” in the late 1970s where she was great! She also was married to actor Glenn Ford in the 1960s.
I remember her well…such talent.
RIP
She was such a beautiful lady and my grandmother faithfully watched every day die those 50+ years.
She was an Soap Icon as Kim, love her & Bob aka Don together! Love her “kiddos” because you were on the the list with her! RIP sweet lady & prayers to her family! Her body of work was excellent!
Soap greats should never be forgotten. They entered our lives every day and we grew up with them. Thank you Matt for still reporting on soap veterans. They, and soap fans, deserve such dignity.
Oh my Goodness. My Sincere Condolences to the Entire Family and Friends. Such a Lovely Lady, I always enjoyed As The World 🌎 Turns. Take your Rest now, In Heavenly Peace.
Sorry to hear one of our beloved ATWT actors have left this world for a better place. Ms. Hays was a natural; and loved by all! RIP, job well done… 🙏❣️🙏
April 8th 2022 My prayers and thoughts go out to Her entire Family .during this sad.time
and may She Reat In Peace From Adrienne Radovich Becker the Granddaughter of Jack and Flo Haley Sr My Grandfather Jack Haley Sr was the Tinman from The Movie The Wizard Of OZ
Such a beautiful lady. Loved her as Kim.
RIP Kathryn Hays
Kathryn Hays was the personification of class and elegance and beautiful beyond measure. She ruled her soap without ever raising her voice but when those luminous eyes sparkled even more than usual… look out! I’m at an age whereas I also vividly recall virtually all of Kathryn’s television appearances other than ATWT and her performances never, ever disappointed. I still miss the cast of that soap and sincerely appreciate the comprehensive reverence of this memorial post about our beloved Kathryn. Thank you! ⚘⚘
In 1982 my mom turned 70 and I let Kathryn know that she shared the same birthdate, July 26th. On her own, Kathryn send a birthday card for Mom. What a sweet and real gesture.
I so loved her ad-libs; like “kiddo” and “pal”
As a 54 year viewer of ATWT, I miss her and all the cast. I had the pleasure of interviewing Helen Wagner in 1999 – another classy lady – on the set, along with my buddy, Ruth. A fabulous memory.
Rest in peace Miss Hayes I loved you on as the world turns
Can anybody tell me what SVU episode because I can’t find the one she was on
8×19, says IMDb
I know it does but I can’t find where she is in that episode is she in the background somewhere because I don’t see her in that episode
She was such a lovely actress on As The World Turns. I remember her there. My condolences to all family members!
This was a show my mom was addicted to since day one… then my sister and I would watch it when we were home from school summer vacation summer breaks… then as we moved onto college we would watch it in the dorms it launched a lot of careers Julianne Moore, Meg Ryan just in a couple….great couples like Lily & Holden, Steve & Betsy, Tom & Margo… I had the biggest crush on Jon Hensley and I loved the Lilly and Holden story line. We were bummed when they pulled that show off the air. Then started watching days of our lives because my mom kind of went back-and-forth with that one at one point too… but their storylines were too wacky like they are now with the devil possessions ….ATWT was just a really good classy soap I’m still confused as to why that was taken off and some of the ones are still on… but found this article that had links to YouTube channels where you could see the changing of the theme songs over the years which brought back a lot of memories. Kim and Bob were always the clad acts of the show. https://yoo.rs/do-you-remember-as-the-world-turns-en-1599826503.html
Growing up watching ATWT was something I real always will hold dear to my heart….It was my mom’s show…love it…thank Kim for all the loving memories