- Born
- Died
- Birth nameHerbert Harrison Heyes
- Nicknames
- Herbert H. Heyes
- Herbert Hayes
- Herbert Hays
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- Herbert Harrison Heyes was born on August 3, 1889 on a Cougar Flats ranch near Vader in Lewis County, Washington, USA. His ancestors crossed the plains over the Oregon Trail. His father, James Heyes (1837-1921) was a Liverpool, England sea captain who sailed around Cape Horn. He was a pioneer in the fishing industry in Astoria, Oregon, USA. His mother was Lavena Jane Washburn. The family moved to Portland, Oregon, USA, when he was four. Heyes became an actor and joined the Baker Stock Company there and made his stage debut at the Baker Theater, at Third and Yamhill Streets, in 1908. He married Mildred Gertrude von Hollen on September 12, 1913 in Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa, USA. They had two children: Herbert Harrison Heyes, Jr., born on July 26, 1915 in Illinois, died January 5, 1999 in Laguna Hills, Orange Co., CA, USA, and Douglas Howard Heyes, born on October 27, 1919 in California, died February 8, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA, USA. In addition to acting in theater productions, he signed with Fox Films in 1916 and starred in many silent films. He entered radio in 1923 and ventured into many business interests in the 1930's. Following his first marriage divorce he married Helen Ward on June 15, 1934 in Clark, Washington, USA. He returned to movie making in the 1940's and character roles on television programs in the 1950's. In his final years he also had significant film roles in A Place in the Sun (1951), Park Row (1952) and The Seven Little Foys (1955). He died following a three year illness on May 31, 1958 at home in North Hollywood, California, USA.- IMDb Mini Biography By: SAGE STEPS
- SpousesHelen Millard Ward(June 15, 1934 - May 31, 1958) (his death)Mildred von Hollen(September 12, 1913 - ?) (divorced, 2 children)
- Portrayed Mr. Gimbel in both Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and The Miracle on 34th Street (1955).
- Cedited as the creator of the radio soap opera in 1924. With the advent of radio he scored two firsts. He took the lead in the first radio serial, "Who Killed the Caretaker?", and in "Main Street", the first radio drama, with Gladys George.
- A stage duel with knives in a 1913 production of "Pierre of the Plains" at Milwaukee's Saxe Theater between him and Charles Dingle became realistic when in the third act Heyes accidentally fell. His blade caused a painful flesh wound to Dingle's leg, causing him to be carried to his dressing room. The theater's house physician treated the wound and reported it was not serious.
- In Herbert's obituary it was reported that he passed away in his North Hollywood home. He had been ill for three years and in critical condition for the final three weeks. It was his wish to be cremated.
- Herbert's first stage appearance at the Baker Theater was carrying a spear. The rate for carrying a spear was 50 cents, but the super-captain held out 10 cents as a commission. The first time his name appeared on a program was in If I Were King, for which his pay was raised to $ 6.00 per week. Wanting to impress management, young Heyes arranged to have a flower bouquet passed to him over the footlights at the end of the play. The plan backfired when the flowers were instead handed to the leading lady.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content