Born George Francis Hayes on May 7, 1885 in Wellsville, New York, George joined some traveling shows during his teen years. He followed up with Burlesque and vaudeville work. In 1914 He married Olive Dorothy Ireland, and the two would be together for over forty years. George and Olive had no children.

George wound up in Hollywood at the end of the silent film era, and George found some bit parts and minor supporting roles. He began doing character parts, including a variety of roles as a baddie, father of the heroine, in 1930s vintage films with John Wayne, Bob Steele, Rex Bell, and others.  In some He played the Bearded Codger and in others he was clean-shaven. In John Wayne's THE STAR PACKER (1934) Hayes was sweet Uncle Matt Matlock, but he also wore black as the mysterious outlaw, 'The Shadow', and he was both Marvin Black and 'Mat the Mute'. in Wayne's RANDY RIDES ALONE (1934), playing Good and Bad Guy parts.

Hayes played some different characters in the initial four Hoppy films: 'Shanghai' in CALL OF THE PRAIRIE (1936), 'Uncle Ben' in HOPALONG CASSIDY (1935), 'Windy' in BAR 20 RIDES AGAIN (1935) and 'Spike' in THE EAGLES BROOD (1935). His first major role was portraying 'Windy Haliday', the sidekick to Hopalong Cassidy. THREE ON THE TRAIL (1936) was Gabby's first as 'Windy Halliday', and he would continue that role through THE RENEGADE TRAIL (1939). The total Hoppy films in which Hayes played 'Windy Halliday' (including the two mentioned) is eighteen.

In SOUTHWARD HO (Republic, 1939), Hayes played his first sidekick role with Roy Rogers. He did 41 films with Roy Rogers, separated into two bunches. Hayes was the saddle pal to Wild Bill Elliott in his 1943-1944 series of eight, as well as the first two Red Ryder oaters. His last film with Roy was HELDORADO (1946); he played 'Gabby Whittaker'.

Gabby had his own NBC TV program in the 1950s, titled THE GABBY HAYES SHOW, where he'd introduce old B westerns that were cut down to a half-hour length. Gabby's show lost out on an Emmy Award in 1952 to the BEANY AND CECIL show. Gabby also did a stint as the host of THE HOWDY DOODY TV show in 1954, when Buffalo Bob Smith was recuperating from a heart attack. Hayes even had his own comic book series. He was one of the few sidekicks to land on the annual list of Top Ten Western Box-office Stars, he did so repeatedly

Gabby was known for some of his great sayings, such as, "Why, you goldurned whipersnapper, Consarn it!, yer durn tootin'!  and  durn persnickety female"  ... and lots of others. Though a long time Western star, he had not learned to ride a horse until nearly 50 years of age. Between 1929 and 1950 He appeared in over 180 Films.

Though he played a cranky and crotchety old-timer on film, in real life Hayes was the exact opposite --- serious, well read, well dressed. He was also well liked by all who knew and worked with him.  To this day, he remains one of the most recognized and remembered players of the B western. (Pretty good legacy). Offstage he was an elegant and well-appointed connoisseur and man-about-town, and for a while he was the corporate spokesman for Popsicles. Hayes settled down on his Nevada ranch, overseeing his many business holdings until his death at age 83

George 'Gabby' Hayes died of heart ailment in Burbank CA. on 2/9/1969 and is buried in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County California.