Hayley Mills, born Hayley Catherine Rose Vivien Mills on 18 April 1946 in London, England, is a celebrated English actress who captivated audiences as a child star and has maintained a distinguished career spanning over six decades. As the daughter of legendary actor John Mills and playwright Mary Hayley Bell, and the younger sister of actress Juliet Mills, she was born into a family steeped in theatrical tradition. Mills began her acting career with remarkable promise, earning the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her performance in the British crime drama Tiger Bay in 1959. This early success led to her being discovered by Walt Disney, who cast her in the lead role of Pollyanna in 1960, a performance that earned her the Academy Juvenile Award and the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress in 1961.

Mills quickly became one of the most beloved child stars of the era, appearing in six films for Walt Disney. Her most iconic role came in 1961 when she played dual roles as twins Susan and Sharon in the classic comedy The Parent Trap, showcasing her versatility and charm. That same year, she delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Whistle Down the Wind, an adaptation of a novel written by her mother, which earned her a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best British Actress. By 1961, she was voted the biggest star in Britain, a testament to her immense popularity. As she transitioned into adulthood, Mills began performing in theatrical plays, making her stage debut in a 1969 West End revival of Peter Pan and taking on more mature roles to shed her child-star image.

In the 1980s and beyond, Mills continued to build a substantial body of work in film and television. She starred in the UK television mini-series The Flame Trees of Thika in 1981, which was well-received by critics and audiences alike. She later took on the title role in the Disney television series Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1988, a show that would later evolve into the popular series Saved by the Bell. From 2007 to 2012, she played Caroline, a main character in the ITV drama series Wild at Heart, which further solidified her presence in British television. For her enduring contributions to Disney, she was honored with the Disney Legend Award. In 2021, Mills published her memoirs, "Forever Young," offering a candid look at her life and career. Today, she remains an active and respected figure in the entertainment industry, with a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of performers.