Hepburn are well aware of her salt o'the earth Yankee stoicism. More stories about ladies fewer stories about currant cake. This is probably the greatest tragedy of this book. Upon re-reading this review years later, I can't believe I didn't mention this: much is made of her relationship with Spencer Tracy, while her relationships with women (ahem) are largely obscured. As Katharine Hepburn says, 'FUCK THE ROOTS!' But I learned much more about Katharine Hepburn than I ever hoped to know, and it's made watching 'The Lion in Winter' even more epic.Īlso, it's provided me with several new catchphrases. It's kind of charming but also kind of horrible. Also, here's her recipe for currant cake. Except that the stories are replete with digressions about that candy shop she used to visit as a child(of course, it's been torn down now), and that time she went to Italy with that writer and drove his Maserati, except she didn't drive and she needs glasses, and anyway, they almost had sex, but didn't, probably because he was eleven years younger, and also, she's decided to tell you this entirely in script form. Except that your grandma is Katharine Hepburn. Like listening to your grandma (your crazy, crazy grandma) tell you stories. In 1999, she was named by the American Film Institute as the top female Hollywood legend. After a period of inactivity and ill-health, Hepburn died in 2003 at 96 years old. She remained active into old age, making her final screen appearance in 1994 at the age of 87. In the 1970s she began appearing in television movies, which became the focus of her career in later life. Three more Oscars came for her work in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968), and On Golden Pond (1981). She found a niche playing middle-aged spinsters, such as in The African Queen (1951), a persona the public embraced. Hepburn challenged herself in the latter half of her life, as she regularly appeared in Shakespeare stage productions and tackled a range of literary roles. The screen-partnership spanned 25 years, and produced nine movies. In the 1940s Hepburn was contracted to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where her career focused on an alliance with Spencer Tracy.

Her work came in a range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama, and she received four Academy Awards for Best Actress-a record for any performer. She cultivated a screen persona that matched this public image, and regularly played strong-willed, sophisticated women. Known for her headstrong independence and spirited personality, Hepburn's career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned more than 60 years. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (1907-2003) was an American actress of film, stage, and television.

Me by Katharine Hepburn