Helen Hayes was an American actress who won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931 for her role in the film 'The Sin of Madelon Claudet'. She was also the first female performer to win an Emmy Award, and she was the first woman to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hayes was known for her roles in Broadway plays and films such as 'Victoria Regina', 'Anastasia', and 'AIRPORT'. She was also a successful author, writing several books including 'My Life in Three Acts'.