He and wife
Helen Hayes were close friends with
Norma Shearer and her husband, MGM production chief
Irving Thalberg. When news
of Thalberg's sudden death was announced in September of 1936, Hayes
sought out her husband to tell him the tragic news, only to find him
alone outside playing tennis on the same court where he and Thalberg
had shared many a match. According to Hayes he didn't come inside until
many hours later and then broke down sobbing.