As a theatrical producer, Hayward was active and extraordinarily successful on Broadway between 1944-71. Many of his Broadway productions were adapted into highly successful films. These include Mister Roberts (1955), South Pacific (1958) and the blockbuster hit The Sound of Music (1965).
Father of actress Brooke Hayward.
Former father-in-law of Dennis Hopper; grandfather of Marin Hopper.
Former father-in-law of Peter Duchin.
Won four Tony Awards: in 1948 as best producer for [i]Mister Roberts[/i]; in 1949 as best producers (musical) with co-producers Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, for [i]South Pacific[/i]; and two in 1960, as best producer (musical) with co-producer Richard Halliday, for [i];The Sound of Music[/i] in a tie with 'Robert Griffith (IV)' and Harold Prince for [i];Fiorello![/i]; and as one of the co-producers in a best musical win, also in a tie with [i];Fiorello![/i].