Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Actress Billie Hayes attends the H.R. Pufnstuf American Cinematheque special screening and Q&A at Aero Theatre on November 20, 2010 in Santa Monica, California.
Billie Hayes, who played the cackling Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo on Sid and Marty Krofft s H.R. Pufnstuf and the scrappy Mammy Yokum in the Broadway and big-screen versions of Li l Abner, has died. She was 96.
Hayes died Thursday of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, a family spokesperson said.
After starring as the evil protagonist on the 1969-70 kids program H.R. Pufnstuf, she reteamed with the Krofft brothers in 1971-72 on
H.R. Pufnstuf Actress Billie Hayes Passed Away at 96
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Upon learning about the passing of the actress best known for her portrayal of wicked witch Witchiepoo, Marty Krofft pays a tribute by calling her their home run. May 4, 2021
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Beloved U.S. children s TV star
Billie Hayes has died, aged 96. The actress, who portrayed wicked witch Witchiepoo in H.R. Pufnstuf , passed away on Thursday, April 29 in Los Angeles.
A Broadway veteran, Hayes also played Mammy Yokum in both the Broadway and film versions of musical Lil Abner .
Born in Du Quoin, Illinois, she began her showbusiness career as a young dancer in nightclubs and was a classical music scholar, performing with the Vince Genovese Orchestra.
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She reunited with the Krofft brothers for Lidsville from 1971-72, according to THR.com, and the Kroffts paid tribute to Hayes on Twitter. Margaret Hamilton (Wizard of Oz) once told us that Billie Hayes was one of the best witches ever” We couldn’t agree more. Rest in Peace dear friend, they wrote alongside a photo of Hayes as Witchiepoo.
The hugely popular kids program H.R. Pufnstuf ran for 17 episodes on NBC in 1969 with Hayes as the evil protagonist Witchiepoo
She reunited with the Krofft brothers for Lidsville from 1971-72 (pictured with Sid Krofft in 2003)
The Kroffts paid tribute to Hayes on Twitter when news of her death broke
This past week we saw the 93rd Academy Awards give the Best Actress Award to Frances McDormand, again, for the 3rd time in her career. This is just one behind the record holder, Katherine Hepburn, who has 4 Oscars. But are these two the greatest of all time?
Well before you read my list below, let me explain how I judged it.
First, it is NOT by how many awards they won. So chill out, Kate Hepburn and Frances McDormand did NOT make my Top 10 but they did make the Top 20. If it was just Oscars, they would be 1 and 2. Instead, I judged these leading ladies by how consistently compelling they are when they appear on the silver screen. It did NOT matter how many movies they did. To me, it’s more of how they grab my attention when they act. In other words, when I see their name on the marquis do I immediately want to watch the movie just because of the top-billed actress.
She s got everything she needs, She s an artist, she don t look back. She s got everything she needs, She s an artist, she don t look back. She can take.