Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy

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Tracy and Hepburn in a promotional photo for Without Love.
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Katharine Hepburn
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Spencer Tracy

Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) and Spencer Tracy (1900–1967) were a legendary cinematic couple, both on- and off-screen. Hepburn and Tracy starred in nine films together, and had an affair—an open secret in Hollywood—that lasted 26 years, ending only with Tracy's death.[1][2]

Allegedly when they first met, Hepburn said, "I fear I may be too tall for you, Mr. Tracy"[2][3] or possibly "You know, Mr. Tracy, I'm afraid I'm a bit too tall for you."[4] In one version, Tracy supposedly replied, "Don't worry, I'll cut you down to my size."[5] In another, Joseph L. Mankiewicz reportedly said, "Don't worry, Kate, he'll cut you down to size."[2][3][4]

They were initially cool to each other on their first production together, Woman of the Year, but that quickly dissipated, and within a week, they were calling each other Spence and Kate.[2] Hepburn fell in love with Tracy. A common myth is that as a Catholic, he would not divorce his wife.[citation needed] Under California law in effect at the time, however, his wife, Louise,[1] may have had grounds, but he did not. California did not adopt no fault divorce until January 1, 1970, after his death. (After Louise Tracy's death in 1983, Hepburn finally acknowledged their decades-long affair.[6]) The normally fiercely independent Hepburn accommodated herself to Tracy, including seeing him through his periodic alcoholic relapses.

Tracy died shortly after completing their last film together, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Roles
Tracy Hepburn
1942 Woman of the Year Sam Craig Tess Harding
1942 Keeper of the Flame Stephen O'Malley Christine Forrest
1945 Without Love Pat Jamieson Jamie Rowan
1947 Sea of Grass Col. James B. "Jim" Brewton Lutie Cameron Brewton
1948 State of the Union Grant Matthews Mary Matthews
1949 Adam's Rib Adam Bonner Amanda Bonner
1952 Pat and Mike Mike Conovan Pat Pemberton
1957 Desk Set Richard Sumner Bunny Watson
1967 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Matt Drayton Christina Drayton

Biographies about the pair[edit]

  • Tracy and Hepburn: an intimate memoir, by Garson Kanin
  • An Affair to Remember: The Remarkable Love Story of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy , by Christopher Andersen

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hugh Davies (July 12, 2003). "New Hepburn biography examines relationship with Tracy". The Daily Telegraph.
  2. ^ a b c d "Katharine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy". People. February 12, 1996.
  3. ^ a b "Katharine Hepburn (obituary)". The Daily Telegraph. July 1, 2003.
  4. ^ a b Joseph L. Mankiewicz (2008). Joseph L. Mankiewicz: Interviews. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 178. ISBN 9781934110249.
  5. ^ Ned Sherrin, ed. (2008). Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations. OUP Oxford. p. 211. ISBN 9780199237166.
  6. ^ Caryn James (June 30, 2003). "Katharine Hepburn, Spirited Actress, Dies at 96". The New York Times.
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