Kathryn Hays

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Kathryn Hays (Kim, ATWT)

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The 411

Princeton, IL native Kathryn Hays dreamed of becoming an actress since she was a child. After graduating from high school, she moved to Chicago where she modeled and studied acting at Northwestern University.

She migrated to New York City in the early '60s; in 1962, she landed her first TV role on the crime drama NAKED CITY. For the next decade, she continued to take on a steady stream of guest-starring spots on series such as BONANZA, MANNIX and STAR TREK. After her first attempt at marriage ended, she wed actor Glenn Ford (Blackboard Jungle); that union lasted from March 27, 1966-June, 1969.

Throughout the '70s, Hays continued to appear on TV and in films; she also had a brief stint playing Leslie on GL in 1971. In 1972, she began her long run as ATWT's Kim.

In 1984, Hays wed her third husband, Wolf Lieshke, but they split two years later. Meanwhile, her Oakdale alter ego married Dr. Bob Hughes on April 25, 1985. While Hays has survived three divorces, Bob and Kim are still going strong on ATWT. Hays and her leading man, Don Hastings, continue to be fan favorites and are close friends off-screen.

Et Cetera

— In THE ROAD WEST, Hays played Andrew Prine's stepmother, even though she was only three years older than him.
— When she guest-starred on STAR TREK, her character was mute.
— Starred opposite iconic actor Charlton Heston in Counterpoint.
— Her daughter, Sherri, acted in regional theater.
— Has worked with Hastings several times outside of ATWT: they toured in a production they put together called Hastings And Hays On Love and starred together in an off-Broadway show called Algonquin Sampler.

Other Roles

Other Soap Roles
GUIDING LIGHT (Leslie Jackson Bauer, 1971)

TV Roles
LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (Jane Willet, 2007)
LAW & ORDER (Gloria Blumberg, 1999)
GHOST STORY (Janet, 1973)
NIGHT GALLERY (June, 1972)
CADE'S COUNTY (Helen Derman, 1972)
BEARCATS! (Milly, 1971)
OWEN MARSHALL: COUNSELOR AT LAW (1971)
MARCUS WELBY, M.D. (1971)
THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS (Marcy, 1971)
HERE COME THE BRIDES (Dena, 1969)
STAR TREK (Gem, 1968)
MANNIX (Betsy Charnik, 1968)
THE HIGH CHAPARAL (Miss Frances O'Toole, 1968)
VACATION PLAYHOUSE (Betsy Flemming, 1967)
THE ROAD WEST (Elizabeth Reynolds, 1966)
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE (Belle Frazer, 1966)
RIDE BEYOND VENGEANCE (Jessie Larkin Trapp, 1966)
KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE.... (Terry Camion, 1965)
BRANDED (Christina Adams, 1965)
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (Mary Pilgrim, 1965)
THE VIRGINIAN (Charity, 1965)
THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR (Joyce Dailey, 965)
THE DEFENDERS (Katy Vronis, 1964)
BONANZA (Prudence Jessup, 1964)
ARREST AND TRIAL (Joanne Collins, 1964)
MR. NOVAK (Jenny Peterson, 1964)
THE NURSES (Sheila Warren, 1964)
THE ELEVENTH HOUR (Hallie Lambert, 1963)
THE LIEUTENANT (Carol Wayden, 1963)
ROUTE 66 (Judy, 1963)
DR. KILDARE (Gina Beemis, 1963)
THE WIDE COUNTRY (Lila Never, 1963)
THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR (Rachel Trafford, 1963)
SURFSIDE 6 (Joy Allen, 1962)
HAWAIIAN EYE (Jean Morgan, 1962)
NAKED CITY (Beth Rydecker, 1962)

TV Movie Roles
ASK ME AGAIN (Harriet Rodker, 1989)
YUMA (Julie Williams, 1971)
BREAKOUT (Ann Baker, 1970)
THIS SAVAGE LAND (Elizabeth Reynolds, 1969)

Film Roles
Counterpoint (Annabelle Rice, 1967)
Ladybug Ladybug (Mrs. Forbes,1963)

Quotable Kathryn

"I don't have any regrets. [ATWT] gave me a base upon which I could raise my daughter and work every day. And I love this medium. It's really special how [fans] are so loyal and welcoming. It's like having an enormous hometown. I've really thought a lot about that this year: You feel very grateful that people would hang in there when the show isn't doing its best or be supportive when you get it back in order again. It means a lot."
— Soap Opera Digest, 12/9/97

"I really like the character. I still get as much satisfaction out of what I do as I did in the beginning. I think that when you have been doing something that long and you still get that much pleasure, that's phenomenal. I feel very fortunate."
— Digest, 9/17/90

"I was married twice and then for about five minutes. It's erroneous to think that you can go into a marriage and somehow expect that the other person — you see this all the time and it makes my hair stand on end — is going to make you, quote unquote, complete."
— On surviving three failed marriages, Digest, 9/17/90

"I loved taping in Greece and thought the scenes were so romantic, but I felt it was a mistake for Kim and Nick [they weren't married] to go to bed together and wondered how the viewers would react. When you have a character like Kim, you have to be very careful with her."
— Digest, 6/9/81

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