Vale: Billie Hayes
Legendary character actor, best know as Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf has died.
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Legendary character actor Billie Hayes, best know as Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf has died, aged 96.
Her death was announced on her official website.
Hayes is best known for her portrayal of the comical witch Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf from 1969 to 1970.
The Sid and Marty Krofft created show was a huge favourite of children for its fantastical storylines and costumes. Hayes was a perfectly over the top villain in the series, and subsequent 1971 movie, recreating the character on The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour.
Hayes also appeared as a witch in several other shows, including Bewitched, Weenie the Genie, The Monkees and Lidsville.
Her other TV credits included General Hospital, Johnny Bravo, The Batman, Rugrats, Murder, She Wrote and Shrek Forever After.
Hayes is also well-known for her stage work, including in the original 1956 Broadway production of Li’l Abner, as well as the 1959 film adaptation and a 1971 TV special.
Source: Variety
4 Responses
Yes she used to scare me too as a kid, but her Witchie poo was the standard for what a bad witch looked like, when I was young.
Awww that’s sad. Witchiepoo was such an iconic and much loved character when I was a kid.
What a colourful and long life. I have fond memories of this show and her Witchie Poo! Confession: she used to frighten me! (well i was a kid :))
loved this show as a kid.