Hayley Mills is a British actress who is best recognized for her appearance in Disney’s ‘Pollyanna.’ She is the daughter of Sir John Mills, a well-known English actor, and Mary Hayley Bell, an actress and writer, and was born in Marylebone, London. At the age of thirteen, she made her cinematic debut in the British crime drama ‘Tiger Bay,’ in which her father played the lead part. Her performance was well received, and she was cast as the lead in the Walt Disney picture ‘Polyanna.’ Her performance in the film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She was also recognized for her films such as ‘The Parent Trap,’ ‘Endless Night,’ and ‘Appointment with Death,’ and received praise for her great performances in theatrical plays. Mills, while being born a Christian, is a member of the ‘International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ (ISKCON), a renowned Hindu religious group recognized for spreading bhakti yoga around the world. She encourages vegetarianism and wrote the prologue to the book “The Hare Krishna Book of Vegetarian Cooking,” despite being a pescaterian. At the age of 62, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was able to overcome it, which she attributes to the alternative remedies she had attempted.
Hayley’s Childhood and Early Years
Catherine Rose Vivien Mills was born in Marylebone, London, on April 18, 1946. Sir John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell, both well-known British performers, were her parents. Juliet Mills, her sister, went on to become a great actress, while Jonathan Mills, her brother, went on to become a film director.
The Career of Hayley Mills
J. Lee Thompson, a British film director, found Hayley Mills when she was just twelve years old. After that, she was cast in the 1959 British crime drama ‘Tiger Bay,’ in which her father also acted.
Bill Anderson, one of Walt Disney’s producers, praised her performance. He assisted her in landing the lead part in the Walt Disney picture ‘Polyanna’ in 1960. Her outstanding performance in the film not only catapulted her to stardom in a short period of time, but also earned her the Juvenile Academy Award.
She then starred in the Walt Disney film ‘The Parent Trap,’ which was released in 1961. She played two twins who were attempting to reconnect their estranged parents. She went on to do four additional Disney films: ‘In Search of the Castaways,’ ‘Summer Magic,’ ‘The Moon-Spinners,’ and ‘That Darn Cat!’ over the years.
She was the most popular child actor at the time thanks to her work with Disney. Her song “Let’s Get Together,” which she performed for the film “The Parent Trap,” was also a hit. On the Billboard Hot 100, it reached number eight.
She also appeared in ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ (1961) and ‘The Truth About Spring’ (1962), in addition to the Disney features (1965). She had a leading role in the comedy film ‘The Trouble with Angels’ in 1966. She also received praise for her performance in the comedy film “The Family Way,” in which he co-starred with her father.
The next year, she starred in the film ‘Pretty Polly,’ alongside Shashi Kapoor, a well-known Indian actor. She then starred as the lead in the psychological thriller ‘Twisted Nerve.’
She took a break from acting after her performance in the 1975 film ‘The Kingfisher Caper,’ in which she played the major role.
She debuted as the lead in the television series ‘The Flame Trees of Thika’ in 1981. She has appeared in a number of TV series and programs over the years. In the 1988 British film ‘Appointment with Death,’ she performed a minor role.
She had a supporting role in the 2011 British comedy film ‘Foster,’ despite making few onscreen appearances during the past two decades. She also appeared in the TV show ‘Wild at Heart,’ in which he appeared as a supporting character. From 2007 through 2012, the show aired. Her most recent appearance on television was in an episode of the British television series ‘Moving On.’
Hayley Mills played in one of the key characters in the Walt Disney film ‘Polyanna,’ which was released in 1960. David Swift was the director of the picture.
Jane Wyman, Karl Malden, Richard Egan, and Adolphe Menjou also appeared in the picture. Mills’ portrayal of an orphan girl was well-received, and she was awarded the Juvenile Academy Award.
In the 1961 film ‘The Parent Trap,’ Mills portrayed two roles. The film was directed by David Swift and starred Brian Keith, Maureen O’Hara, Joanna Barnes, and Charlie Ruggles. The plot revolved around twins who were attempting to reunite their parents. The film received two Academy Award nominations.
She also starred in the 1961 film ‘Whistle Down the Wind,’ which is considered one of her most notable works. The film is directed by Bryan Forbes and is based on Mills’ mother Mary Hayley Bell’s novel of the same name. The critical response to the film was overwhelmingly good.
Her Achievements & Awards
Hayley Mills earned a Berlin International Film Festival Award and a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Film in 1959 for her part in ‘Tiger Bay.’
She earned the Juvenile Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Laurel Award for her role in the film ‘Polyanna.’
Personal History and Legacy
Hayley Mills married Roy Boulting, a filmmaker, in 1971. Crispian Mills, their son, is a well-known singer. After six years of marriage, the couple divorced.
She later had a relationship with Leigh Lawson, a British actor. Jason Lawson, her second son, was also present.
She has been in a relationship with Firdous Bamji, an actor and playwright, since 1997.
Despite the fact that she was raised as a Christian, she has been a member of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) for some years. It’s also known as “The Hare Krisha Movement,” and it’s a popular Hindu religious group.
Despite the fact that she does not consider herself a member of the organization, she claims to have received a great deal of spiritual direction from it.In 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she beat thanks to alternative therapy.
Estimated Net Worth
Hayley Mills net worth: Hayley Mills is a British actress with a $5 million dollar net worth. Hayley Mills was born in London, England, and pursued a career in dancing at first. When she was twelve, she was “discovered,” and her role as Pollyanna in the hit Disney film “Pollyanna” catapulted her to international fame.