Will County Gazette

Kathryn Hays, born Kay Piper on July 26, 1934, in Princeton, Illinois, passed away on March 25, 2022. She died in an assisted living facility where she had been living due to dementia.

Hays was raised in Joliet, Illinois. She pursued studies at Northwestern University and worked as a model before changing her name to Kathryn Hays in 1962. Her acting career began with TV guest roles and films, including appearances on Star Trek and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. She is best known for her long-running role as Kim Hughes on As the World Turns, which she played from 1972 until the show's end in 2010.

In addition to her soap opera work, Hays appeared in various TV shows and films, including Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She also participated in Broadway productions and TV reunions for As the World Turns. Hays maintained a strong connection to Joliet throughout her life. Her passing marked the end of a notable career that spanned several decades and numerous screen appearances.