Born in New York City, Hayden's career as a Director began in the late 1950s, when he directed the only feature film to his credit, The Vintage (1957), starring Pier Angeli and Mel Ferrer. He then turned to television, beginning with episodes of Leave It to Beaver and 77 Sunset Strip.
On October 28, 1951, Hayden married screen Actress Eva Marie Saint. The couple had two children, Darrell and Laurette, and three grandchildren.
Hayden directed dozens of TV series, from early 1960s ones such as Burke's Law, Batman and The Andy Griffith Show to popular shows decades later such as Knight Rider, Magnum, P.I. and In the Heat of the Night.
Shortly before their 50th anniversary, on October 13, 2001, the couple appeared together in a one night only performance of the play Love Letters at Bowling Green State University, Saint's alma mater.
Jeffrey Hayden died on December 24, 2016, from cancer, in Los Angeles, aged 90.
