Margaret 'Maggie' Hayes, born Florette Regina Ottenheimer, was a multifaceted individual with a storied life. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Jacob 'Jack' Louis Ottenheimer and Clara Bussy, she was drawn to the world of acting from a young age.
As a teenager, Hayes worked with a local stock company to gain experience, and later attended John Hopkins University for two years, briefly considering a career in nursing. However, she soon joined The Barnstormers troupe, becoming their first female member.
A chance encounter with prominent newspaper columnists at the Stork Club in New York led to a name change, and Hayes began modeling and auditioning under the name 'Dana Dale'. She appeared in various advertisements, including cigarette, automobile, and fashion campaigns, and even auditioned for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind.
Hayes' early career in Hollywood was marked by a series of second leads and 'other woman' roles, but she never felt fully fulfilled in her profession. Instead, she pursued a range of other career paths, including fashion design, modeling, and jewelry design.
In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Hayes was a public relations executive for Bergdorf Goodman, a fashion editor for Life Magazine, and the owner of a boutique in Palm Beach. She even worked in television, where she landed some of her most notable roles.
Hayes was married three times, including to actor Leif Erickson and producer Herbert B. Swope Jr.
