Moving to Los Angeles she was in numerous television productions including playing the street-wise international spy 'O'Reilly' on General Hospital, also performing voice roles for animated series and Disney. Later, as 'Minnie Fay' she toured with the national company of Hello Dolly! starring Betty Grable. She then joined the Broadway cast of Li'l Abner as 'Mammy Yokum' reprising the role in the Paramount film. Billie's first Broadway appearance was in Leonard Sillman's New Faces. Soon after she was in the New York revue What's New with Paul Lynde which played from Boston's Copley Plaza to the fabled Shamrock Hotel in Houston. He cast her in principle roles in three of his renown roadshow operettas: Student Prince, The Merry Widow and Blossom Time. Billie first heard a chuckle then laughter. In the dark and otherwise empty theatre there were only a few people seated. Already a seasoned nightclub performer she danced and sang routines she had choreographed. She went not knowing who or what she was auditioning for. While still in her teens she performed her solo act in Chicago and throughout the midwest before moving to New York.Īt a chance encounter in New York Billie was urged to go to an audition. During high school she joined the 14 piece orchestra of Vince Genovese which played regionally. He was known for his charisma as a union leader who fought for the rights and benefits of the miners and for widow's pensions.īillie's career as an entertainer began at the age of nine when she was dancing professionally in local nightclubs.

Charles Brosch, her father, was a coal strip miner and head of the miners union in that area. Her mother, Marie Brosch (nee) Armstrong, was Assistant Relief Administrator who tirelessly championed for the underprivileged and impoverished. She was born in the town of Du Quoin in southern Illinois. She may be best known for her portrayal of 'Witchiepoo' on the television series H.R.

Billie Armstrong Brosch - Hayes was named after her great uncle Bill Armstrong.

Actress