Hayley Catherine Rose Vivien Mills was born in 1946 in London, England, to a family of artists. Her father, Sir John Mills, was a renowned actor, and her mother, Mary Hayley Bell, was a novelist and playwright. Hayley's sister, Juliet Mills, is also an actress. Growing up, Hayley was an outgoing and funny child, and she spent much of her childhood surrounded by her parents' friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Despite her privileged upbringing, Hayley developed a shy streak as she entered her teenage years. She found solace in the theater, where she could express herself and connect with others. Her parents, recognizing her talent, encouraged her to pursue a career in acting.
Hayley's big break came in 1959, when she was cast opposite her father in the thriller "Tiger Bay." Her performance earned her critical acclaim and recognition around the world, including an award at the Berlin Film Festival. Her success led to a five-year contract with Walt Disney Studios, and she went on to star in a string of successful films, including "Pollyanna," "The Parent Trap," and "The Moon-Spinners."
However, Hayley began to feel typecast in her innocent, sunny roles, and she eventually left Disney to pursue more mature and challenging projects. She appeared in a range of films, including "Whistle Down the Wind," "The Chalk Garden," and "The Family Way," which co-starred her father and marked her transition into more adult roles.
In her personal life, Hayley has been married twice and has two sons. Her first marriage was to director Roy Boulting, who was 33 years her senior, and they had a son together. She later married actor Leigh Lawson and had a second son. Hayley has been open about her struggles with marriage and motherhood, and she has spoken about the challenges she faced as a working mother.
In recent years, Hayley has focused primarily on her work in theater, where she has enjoyed great success. She has played the title role in numerous productions of "The King and I," and has appeared in a range of other stage productions. Despite her many accomplishments, Hayley remains humble and grounded, and she continues to be beloved by audiences around the world.
