Katharine Hepburn, born on May 12, 1907, in Hartford, Connecticut, was an indomitable American stage and film actress known for her spirited performances and a touch of eccentricity. Raised by wealthy, progressive parents, she began acting while attending Bryn Mawr College.

Her early years in film brought her international fame, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for her third film, Morning Glory (1933). However, this was followed by a series of commercial failures. She masterminded her comeback by acquiring the film rights to The Philadelphia Story, which she sold on the condition that she be the star. This comedy film was a box office success and landed her a third Academy Award nomination.

Her career spanned over six decades, during which she worked in a varied range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama. She was known for her headstrong independence, spirited personality, and outspokenness, regularly playing strong-willed, sophisticated women.

Her screen partnership with Spencer Tracy spanned 26 years and produced nine films. She challenged herself in the latter half of her life by tackling Shakespearean stage productions and a range of literary roles. She found a niche playing mature, independent, and sometimes unmarried women, such as in The African Queen (1951), a persona the public embraced.

Katharine Hepburn received four Academy Awards for Best Actress, a record for any performer. Her award-winning performances include Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968), and On Golden Pond (1981). She also received an additional eight Oscar nominations over the years for films such as Alice Adams (1935), The Philadelphia Story (1940), Woman of the Year (1942), The African Queen (1951), Summertime (1955), The Rainmaker (1956), Suddenly Last Summer (1959), and Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962). Her role in the 1975 made-for-television film Love Among the Ruins won her an Emmy award.

Her personal life was as intriguing as her career. She famously shunned the Hollywood publicity machine and refused to conform to societal expectations of women. She had a long-term relationship with Spencer Tracy, which lasted until his death in 1967.