Actor James MacArthur, son of Helen Hayes, Dies at Age 72

This statement was issued by The Helen Hayes Awards: It is with enormous sadness that we share that our dear friend, board colleague, and stalwart supporter James MacArthur passed away early this morning at the age of 72 with his family by his side.

Jim was an internationally-known actor, family man, and humble human being. He was born on December 8, 1937 in Los Angeles, California and raised in a theatre atmosphere by his parents, the First Lady of the American stage, Helen Hayes and noted playwright Charles MacArthur residing at their home, "Pretty Penny," on the bank of the Hudson River in Nyack, New York.

Since 1983 Jim was an ardent champion of theatre in Washington, DC as a board member of the organization named for his mother - the Helen Hayes Awards - and presided over the annual presentation of the Charles MacArthur Award, the prestigious playwrighting award named for his father.

As an actor, Jim had three strong separate careers, Live Stage, Movies and Television. In 1955 prior to his senior year at the Solebury School, Jim appeared in the TV play, "Deal a Blow." After graduation and before going to Harvard, he went to Hollywood to make the film version of it, renamed "The Young Stranger" which earned him a nomination in the Most Promising Newcomer category at the 1958 BAFTA awards. During summer breaks from Harvard he made "The Light in the Forest" and "Third Man on the Mountain" for Walt Disney. In 1959 and 1960, he made both "Kidnapped" and "Swiss Family Robinson" for Disney and made his Broadway debut playing Aaron Jablonski opposite Jane Fonda in "Invitation to a March" which won him the 1961 Theatre World Award for Best New Actor. He then appeared in "Under the Yum Yum Tree," "The Moon Is Blue," "John Loves Mary," "Barefoot in the Park" and "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" before returning to Hollywood to star in such movies as "The Interns", "Spencer's Mountain," "The Truth About Spring" with Haley Mills and "Cry of Battle." In 1963, he was a runner up in the Golden Laurel Awards in the "Top New Male Personality" category. He then was a member of the all-star cast which included Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, Robert Ryan, Dana Andrews, George Montgomery, Charles Bronson and Telly Savalas in "The Battle of the Bulge."

In 1968 producer Leonard Freeman remembered the actor who did a cameo in the Clint Eastwood movie "Hang 'em High" as the traveling preacher who came on the set, requiring only one take which was excellent. He called Jim, and cast him as Detective Dan Williams of "Hawaii 5-0," who will be forever tied to the phrase "Book 'em Dano!"

After 11 years as Detective Dan Williams, he returned to the live stage in "The Hasty Heart" with Caroline Lagerfelt, "The Front Page," a play written by his father Charles MacArthur, "A Bed Full of Foreigners" in several locals and then played Mortimer in the national tour of "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Jean Stapleton, Marion Ross, and Larry Storch.

MacArthur loved life and all that it had to offer. He was adventurous and a world traveler. In the early 1970s he spent six months driving his Land Rover from London, England to Malawi, Africa with friends. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed skiing, fishing, and hiking. He was a skilled flamenco guitarist and a consummate reader. His passion for playing golf led him to meet and fall in love with his wife, LPGA tour player and teacher, "H.B." Duntz. Throughout his life Jim developed a long list of friendships and stories to tell along the way. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He was witty and charming always enjoying a good time. He was often the recipient of practical jokes; however, one could always tell when he was the instigator of a few good ones of his own by that famous little crinkle at the side of his mouth and the twinkle in his eye. He was never one to be lost for words.

MacArthur was deeply honored to speak at the Library of Congress. He also was the Master of Ceremonies at Dan Quayle's Inaugural Ball. In 2001, Jim was honored with his own star along the Walk of Fame in Palm Springs, California. In 2003, the fourth annual Film in Hawaii Award was bestowed upon him and "Hawaii Five-O." The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored Jim with a Gold Circle Award for 50 years of outstanding contributions to the medium in 2008.

Jim returned to Washington every year to preside over the awards ceremony that bears his mother's name. Victor Shargai, Chairman of the Helen Hayes Awards Board of Directors recalls: "I think it gave Jim much joy to commemorate his mother and father. But it was Jim's unique blend of charm, grace, wit, and heart that will forever be with us."

His retirement was as busy as his career spending time with his family, who meant the world to him. He leaves behind his wife of over 25 years, Helen Beth ("H.B." Duntz), four children: Charles P. MacArthur (Jenny), Mary McClure (Kevin), Juliette Rappaport (Kurt), James D. MacArthur and seven grandchildren; Ruby Johnstone, Riley Kea MacArthur, Ford and Daisy McClure, Jake, Luke, and Julia Rappaport.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Helen Hayes Awards in Washington, D.C.; the Helen Hayes Hospital in Nyack; the Solebury School MOM Fund in New Hope, Penn.; the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, Palm Desert, Calif.; and the Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu.