Katharine Hepburn was sharp witted, feisty, outspoken, courageous, independent, and an actress who mesmerized audiences around the world. Her career spanned seven decades with over fifty films winning her four Oscars from twelve nominations. Her easily identifiable voice and iconic characters on screen were fueled from her upbringings to speak her mind, and to use her talents to the fullest potential.
INTERESTING FACTS
Born to wealthy parents, her father was a doctor and her mother a strong willed and intelligent feminist.
As a young girl she was known to wrestle, tumble, and perform trapeze.
On summer she hated being a little girl she cut her hair and told everyone to call her Jimmy.
As a teenager she would perform puppet shows. She shared a love for puppets similar to
Jim Henson.
Graduated in 1928 from Bryn Mawr College.
She earned an first Oscar in her third movie, In Morning Glory filmed in 1933. She was honored with two more Oscars for her roles in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and The Lion in Winter.
A natural red head, she dressed in slacks instead of dresses and wore no makeup off the set.
She had a relationship with
Howard Hughes.
She was written in a role in The Philadelphia Story on Broadway. She later owned the rights to the film because
Howard Hughes purchased them for her and she shopped the movie around to Hollywood agents in a condition that she would star in the film and succeeded.
She started pushing her own scripts after her success with The Philadelphia Story. In her next film in 1942 she pushed for the script “Woman of the Year” and requested Spencer Tracy to play the sportswriter. Spencer accepted the role and it started their relationship. They completed a total of nine films on screen and had a relationship for 25 years to the day Spencer Died. The last film they costarred in was “ Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” whom she received an Oscar for. She supposedly never saw the film due to Spencer dying shortly thereafter the filming.
In 1981 she won her 4th and last Oscar playing opposite
Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond. When
Henry Fonda started acting he was helped by
Marlon Brando’s mother in the theater.
She was voted the #1 actress on the American Film Institute's 100 best actors and actresses of all time.
She was active in her old age, both riding her bicycle and swimming in the ocean.
In 1994 she stared in a minor role and in her last film, “Love Affair,” with Warren Beatty and Annette Bening. Beatty and Benning would marry later after the film.
Kate’s followed her grandmothers sword: “Don’t give in. Fight for your future. Women are as good as men. Make your own trail. Don’t moan. Think positively.”
DEPARTURE
June 29, 2003: June 29, 2003: She died at her home that she had purchased in her first marriage in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. In her honor the League of American Theaters and Producers dimmed the lights on Broadway.
On June 12 in the same year Gregory Peck died at 87 as well. Gregory Peck had been taught dance from world renowned dancer,
Martha Graham. In addition on August 9th one of the worlds finest tap dancers died, Gregory Hines at age 57 and on July 27th so did he amazing entertainer Bob Hope.