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Katharine Hepburn
Winning four Best Actress Oscars and creating a screen image of independence.
Morning Glory · The Philadelphia Story
- Born
- 12 May 1907
- Birthplace
- Hartford, Connecticut, United States
- Died
- 29 June 2003
More people
Katharine Hepburn
An American actor whose career moved between sharp comedy, adventure and family drama. She often played self-directed women resisting the expectations around them.
Early life
Reform-minded family
Her parents worked in medicine and women’s-rights campaigning.
College theatre
Began acting while studying at Bryn Mawr College.
Career
- 1920s–1930s
Stage to Hollywood
Theatre work led to her film debut and early success.
- 1940
The Philadelphia Story
A hit adaptation helped revive her screen career.
- 1940s–1960s
Major partnerships
Made nine films with Spencer Tracy.
- 1982
Fourth acting Oscar
Won for On Golden Pond.
Selected work
Morning Glory
Brought her first Academy Award.
The Philadelphia Story
A social comedy she helped bring from stage to screen.
Later winning roles
Won Oscars for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter and On Golden Pond.
Beyond acting
Public image
Her preference for trousers and resistance to studio conventions challenged expectations of female stars.
Theatre
Continued stage work, including Shakespeare and the musical Coco.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Academy Awards ceremony ↗Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios ; Restored by Adam Cuerden. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
