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.

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The Connecticut Post announced Hays’ passing on Friday.

A cause of death has not been released.

Rest In Peace, Kathryn Hays

(Kim Sullivan Reynolds Dixon Stewart Andropoulos Hughes, August 1972-September 17, 2010)

In the words of Kim Hughes, which I’ve quoted many times here, “I don’t think there should be goodbyes.” pic.twitter.com/EGuqQNPmjd
— As The World Turns (@CBSATWT) April 8, 2022

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.”

RIP Kathryn Hays, the luminous, fabulous actress who played Kim Hughes on CBS's As The World Turns. Her longtime partnership with Don Hastings (as Bob) was the very heart and soul of a grand soap opera that so many of us still miss dearly. Rest well, sweet lady. 💙 #ATWT ⁦ pic.twitter.com/0DwQcALxKw
— Michael Logan (@TVGMLogan) April 8, 2022

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.

We are sad to hear that Kathryn Hays, Gem in the #StarTrekTOS episode "The Empath," has died at the age of 87. She was also a longtime star of the soap As The World Turns, where she played the same character for 38 years. Our deepest condolences to her friends and family. pic.twitter.com/hcP2IiElBi
— TrekMovie.com @ #StarTrekCHI (@TrekMovie) April 8, 2022

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.

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