Born: April 5, 1900 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USADied: June 10, 1967Active: 1930-1967Birth Name: Spencer Bonaventure Tracy
About Spencer Tracy
Spencer Tracy was one of Hollywood's most revered actors, known for his naturalistic acting style and remarkable versatility. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he began his career on stage before being discovered by MGM and making his film debut in 1930. Tracy quickly established himself as a leading man with powerful performances in films like 'Captains Courageous' (1937) and 'Boys Town' (1938), for which he won consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor. His legendary partnership with Katharine Hepburn produced nine films and one of Hollywood's most enduring romances, though both were married to other people. Tracy's later career showcased his ability to portray complex characters in films such as 'Inherit the Wind' (1960) and 'Judgment at Nuremberg' (1961). Despite battling alcoholism and health issues, he continued delivering powerful performances until his death in 1967. His final film, 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' (1967), earned him a posthumous Oscar nomination.
The Craft
On Screen
Tracy pioneered naturalistic acting in Hollywood, favoring subtlety and authenticity over theatricality. He was known for his 'less is more' approach, often delivering lines with a quiet intensity that conveyed deep emotion. His ability to portray ordinary men with extraordinary depth made him relatable to audiences. Tracy rarely rehearsed, preferring spontaneity, and was famous for his ability to memorize entire scripts quickly. His acting style influenced generations of performers who followed.
Milestones
Won consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor (1937-1938)
First actor to win back-to-back Best Actor Oscars
Nine Academy Award nominations for Best Actor
Legendary partnership with Katharine Hepburn in 9 films
Starred in over 75 films during his 37-year career
Received posthumous nomination for final film
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Father Flanagan in 'Boys Town'
Manuel Fidello in 'Captains Courageous'
Henry Drummond in 'Inherit the Wind'
Matt Drayton in 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'
Stanley Banks in 'Father of the Bride'
Must-See Films
Father of the Bride
1950
Inherit the Wind
1960
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
1967
Adam's Rib
1949
Boys Town
1938
Captains Courageous
1937
Judgment at Nuremberg
1961
awards
Academy Award for Best Actor - 'Captains Courageous' (1937),Academy Award for Best Actor - 'Boys Town' (1938),New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor - 'Inherit the Wind' (1960),Cannes Film Festival Best Actor - 'The Last Hurrah' (1958),Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (1953)
nominations
Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'San Francisco' (1936),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'Test Pilot' (1938),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'Edison, the Man' (1940),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'Woman of the Year' (1942),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'The Yearling' (1946),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'Father of the Bride' (1950),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'Bad Day at Black Rock' (1955),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'The Old Man and the Sea' (1958),Academy Award nomination for Best Actor - 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' (1967)
honors
Hollywood Walk of Fame star (6608 Hollywood Blvd),AFI's Greatest American Screen Legends - #9,Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame,United States Postal Service commemorative stamp (1990),Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously considered)
personalLife
Tracy's personal life was marked by his long-term relationship with Katharine Hepburn, which lasted 26 years until his death, though he remained married to actress Louise Treadwell. He struggled with alcoholism throughout his adult life and suffered from severe health problems in his later years. Tracy was a devout Catholic and his faith influenced his decision not to divorce his wife. He had two children, one of whom was born deaf, which deeply affected him and led to his involvement with deaf education causes.
spouses
Louise Treadwell (1923-1967)
children
John Tracy (1924-2007) - Born deaf, became a successful deaf actor and advocate,Susie Tracy (1932-) - Worked as an actress and later as a production assistant
education
Marquette Academy (graduated 1917), Ripon College (attended 1917-1919), American Academy of Dramatic Arts (attended 1922-1924)
studioAffiliations
MGM (1930-1935, 1941-1955),Fox Film Corporation (1935-1937),MGM (contract player),20th Century Fox (later independent work)
frequentCollaborators
Katharine Hepburn (9 films),Director Stanley Kramer (3 films),Director Vincente Minnelli (3 films),Director John Ford (2 films),Director Elia Kazan (2 films)
mentors
John Ford,George M. Cohan,David Belasco
protégés
Influenced Marlon Brando's naturalistic style,Mentored young actors at MGM including Robert Taylor
culturalImpact
Spencer Tracy revolutionized screen acting by bringing naturalism and authenticity to Hollywood performances at a time when theatrical acting was the norm. His ability to portray complex, flawed characters with depth and humanity helped elevate the art of film acting. Tracy's performances in socially significant films like 'Inherit the Wind' and 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' helped advance important cultural conversations about evolution, civil rights, and interracial marriage. His off-screen relationship with Katharine Hepburn challenged Hollywood's strict moral code and became one of film history's most legendary romances.
legacy
Tracy's legacy endures as one of cinema's greatest natural actors, with a career spanning 37 years and 75 films. He set a standard for realistic acting that influenced generations of performers from Marlon Brando to modern actors. His record of nine Academy Award nominations for Best Actor remains among the most in Oscar history. Tracy's films continue to be studied in film schools for their acting excellence, and his performances in 'Inherit the Wind' and 'Judgment at Nuremberg' are considered masterclasses in screen acting. The Spencer Tracy Award for cinematic excellence has been established in his honor.
influence
Tracy's naturalistic acting style directly influenced the Method acting movement, with actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean citing his work as inspiration. His ability to disappear into roles while maintaining authenticity became a model for serious dramatic actors. Directors like Stanley Kramer and Elia Kazan considered him the ultimate actor's actor. Contemporary actors including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Daniel Day-Lewis have acknowledged Tracy's influence on their approach to character development and screen presence.
trivia
First actor to win consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor,Never attended his own Oscar ceremonies, believing actors shouldn't compete,Could memorize an entire script in one reading,Was so nervous before filming that he sometimes vomited,His relationship with Katharine Hepburn was kept secret for years,Turned down the lead role in 'The African Queen' which went to Humphrey Bogart,Was a heavy drinker who sometimes couldn't work due to hangovers,His son John was one of the first deaf actors to have a successful Hollywood career,Often improvised his lines, believing spontaneity created better performances,MGM head Louis B. Mayer considered him 'the greatest actor we ever had'
famousQuotes
"Know your lines and don't bump into the furniture." - On his acting philosophy,"Acting is the most personal of all arts.","I don't like to work. I like to have worked.","Why do actors think they're so damned important? They're not. Acting is not an important job in the scheme of things. Plumbing is."
controversies
Tracy's long-term affair with Katharine Hepburn while married to Louise Treadwell was considered scandalous in Hollywood's Golden Age. His struggles with alcoholism often disrupted film productions and caused concern among directors and co-stars. Despite his Catholic faith, he never divorced his wife, creating a complex personal situation that was kept private from the public during his lifetime.
