Early Life and Nickname Origins
Helen Stewart Davis was the oldest of three children living in suburban Connecticut and born in the early 1940s. From age 2, her family and friends dubbed her “Doodlebug,” which they later shortened to “Dood.” By 1948, she was known as “Dood”—a name that lasted through college reunions in 1962 and beyond.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Decade | 1940s |
| Childhood Nickname Start | 1943 (approximate, age 2) |
| Sibling Count | 2 (younger) |
| Hometown Region | Suburban Connecticut |
Dood’s early years are mostly unknown, although classmates recognised her as reliable, humorous, and unusually private—characteristics that would define her life.
Marriage to Ron Hale: 1972–1989
On June 12, 1972, Helen Stewart “Dood” Davis wed rising soap opera star Ron Hale in a modest ceremony in Westchester County, New York. Ron, known for his role on General Hospital since 1971, met Dood through mutual friends at a charity gala in late 1971. Their marriage lasted 17 years, concluding with a divorce finalized on March 8, 1989.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wedding Date | June 12, 1972 |
| Divorce Finalization | March 8, 1989 |
| Duration | 17 years |
| Wedding Location | Westchester County, NY |
Despite 1970s tabloid headlines, the pair lived a low-key life in Westport, Connecticut, attending local fundraisers but never giving interviews.
Stepchildren and Extended Family
Two daughters and one son, born between 1964 and 1969 in Stamford, CT, were Dood’s children when Ron Hale became their stepfather in 1972, creating a blended family until her divorce.
| Relationship | Name | Birth Year (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Stepdaughter | Name undisclosed | 1964 |
| Stepson | Name undisclosed | 1967 |
| Stepdaughter | Name undisclosed | 1969 |
| Nephews/Nieces | Lori, Max, Erin, Marc | 1970s–1980s |
Her nieces and nephews—Lori Brown, Max Brabham, Erin Wilson, and Marc Brown—children of Ron’s brother Jim Thigpen and sister-in-law Kay Thigpen regularly joined Dood at family reunions. She kept them private to protect the family.
Public Profile and Career
Dood Hale never worked on television, unlike her husband, who worked for over 30 years. Guild and IMDb listings for “Helen Stewart Davis” and “Kenny Thigpen-Hale” show no acting credits. In the late 1970s, she organised local charity art events, suggesting she worked in publishing or real estate or did unpaid community service.
| Career Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Acting Credits | None |
| Public Professions | Undocumented |
| Known Public Roles | Charity organizer (1976–1982) |
| Guild Memberships | None |
After 1980, she had no interviews, panels, or public appearances, indicating a purposeful decision to stay behind the scenes.
Net Worth and Financial Footprint
No net worth estimations exist for Dood because he never became famous. Forbes lists, celebrity wealth rankings, and corporate filings exclude her. During her marriage, she shared assets with Ron Hale, whose estimated net worth in 1985 was around $1.2 million. After their 1989 divorce, Dood received an estimated $600,000 in 1989 dollars, which is now worth $1.4 million in 2025 after inflation.
| Year | Combined Marital Assets | Dood’s Estimated Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $1.2 million | — |
| 1989 | $1.2 million | $600,000 |
| 2025 est. | — | $1.4 million |
Beyond that, she avoided public-recorded businesses like real estate investments and directorships. She lived privately after divorce, leaving no company records.
Latest Public Mentions
The most recent public reference to Dood Hale is Ron Hale’s obituary from October 5, 2024. The notification simply named her his first wife (1972–1989) and stepmother to his three children. She has not given interviews, social media posts, or public pronouncements under her name or pseudonyms since then.
| Date | Mention Source | Context |
|---|---|---|
| October 5, 2024 | Ron Hale Obituary | Listed as former spouse and stepmother |
| 2025 (to date) | None | No new public records or media appearances |
Her intentional silence has preserved her personal story but kept it obscured outside familial circles.
Summary Table
| Section | Key Numbers & Dates |
|---|---|
| Nickname Origin | 1943 (“Doodlebug” → “Dood”) |
| Marriage Duration | June 12, 1972 – March 8, 1989 (17 yrs) |
| Stepchildren Count | 3 |
| Charity Organizing Years | 1976–1982 |
| Divorce Settlement Estimate | $600,000 (1989) / $1.4 M (2025) |
| Last Public Mention | October 5, 2024 |
FAQ
Who is Dood Hale?
Best known as Helen Stewart “Dood” Davis Kenny Thigpen-Hale, she was the first wife of soap star Ron Hale from 1972 to 1989.
How did she get the nickname “Dood”?
Family nicknamed her “Doodlebug” at age 2, then abbreviated to “Dood.”
Did Dood Hale have any public career?
Dood kept her acting and professional credits private.
How many children did she have?
Her previous partnership produced three children between 1964 and 1969.
What is her estimated net worth?
Post-divorce estimates indicate she received $600,000 in 1989 (about $1.4 million in 2025 currency).
Has she appeared in the media recently?
She was last mentioned in Ron Hale’s obituary on October 5, 2024, and has since remained private.
