In the Broadway play The Warrior’s Husband, Katharine Hepburn made her unforgettable debut by striding onto the stage with a dead stag slung over her shoulders. Playing Antiope, the commanding leader of the Amazonian army, she wowed audiences with her striking beauty and athletic prowess. It was this role that caught Hollywood's eye, leading to an invitation for her to take a screen test. Hepburn's bold and fearless portrayal set the stage for a legendary career.
Hollywood Success and Inner Struggles
On the outside, Katharine Hepburn seemed like the epitome of confidence and control, much like the mythological characters she often portrayed. But as the actress herself admitted, her journey wasn't without its challenges. "I was always in a state of terror," she confessed, despite being nominated for twelve Academy Awards and winning four times over six decades. Reflecting on her career before her passing in 2003, Hepburn acknowledged her achievements but credited her privileged upbringing. "I think I’m a success, but I had every advantage," she humbly stated.
Family Trials and Triumphs
Even a life of privilege comes with its own set of challenges, and Katharine Hepburn was no exception. The early loss of her beloved older brother, Tom, left a deep scar. Katharine also witnessed the tumultuous and sometimes violent dynamics between her parents. Artist Mundy Hepburn, Katharine's nephew, recounted an incident involving her parents ice skating. "He got mad, came over and gave her a shove. She flipped backward on the ice and hit her head. It sounded like a coconut breaking on ice," he revealed exclusively to Closer.
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Dr. Thomas Hepburn, a urologist dedicated to educating the public about sexually transmitted diseases, could be both compassionate and critical. "Granddaddy was intensely loyal, but he wouldn’t hesitate to be very critical and say exactly what he thought," Mundy noted. His criticism often fell on his wife, also named Katharine, an early feminist, and his eldest son, Tom. "I was told Tom was a sensitive child," Mundy added.
A Bond Beyond Blood
Tom and Katharine, the two eldest siblings, shared a special bond. "They were both good at athletics, boating, sailing, and tree climbing. They both enjoyed theater and were interested in silent movies," explained William J. Mann, author of Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn. Their connection was profound, shaping Katharine's worldview and aspirations.
At the age of nine, Katharine decided she wanted to have as much fun as the boys. She cut her hair short and asked her family to call her Jimmy. Mundy believes this decision stemmed from her mother's experiences of abuse and disrespect. "Kate took one look and thought, 'They don’t treat my brothers the way they treat me, so I’ll be Jimmy,'” he explained.
The Loss That Shaped Her Life
During an Easter week visit to her aunt’s home in New York City, 13-year-old Katharine woke up to a devastating reality. Her brother Tom had taken his own life using a torn bedsheet. This tragedy left an indelible mark on her life. Within the family, Tom’s death was rarely discussed. "They came from the era of ‘just deal with it,’" Mundy explained, sharing that his father, playwright Richard Hepburn, witnessed his grandfather's private grief only once. "He told me, ‘I remember seeing my father with his head in his hands, crumpled up and saying, ‘Why? Why?’”
Tom’s death profoundly impacted Katharine. She adopted his November 8, 1905, birthday as her own, only revealing her true birth date in her 1991 memoir Me: Stories of My Life. "I think that she began living for Tom," Mann suggested. "Much of her rebellion might have come from Tom being denied a chance to live the way he wanted. So, she did it for both of them."
Defying Expectations
Katharine earned a degree in philosophy and history from Bryn Mawr College and married Ludlow Ogden Smith, a Philadelphia businessman, at 21. However, these were her last concessions to societal expectations. Despite her father's disapproval, her resolve to become an actress was unwavering. "Her father said, 'Well, you’re a whore.' She said, 'No, I’m not!'" Mundy recounted.
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Katharine soon realized that marriage and motherhood weren't compatible with her ambitions. "The minute I won the Academy Award, I got rid of Luddy," she confessed about her husband, who remarried, had children, and remained her closest friend for life. "I just wanted to be myself, and if you want to be yourself, you should not try to be the mother of four and the companion of a fascinating man," she said. "You cannot have it all."
A Legacy of Strength and Love
Katharine's screen career spanned nearly 70 years, gracing audiences with timeless classics like The Philadelphia Story, The African Queen, and The Lion in Winter. Like her parents, she championed women’s rights, though she modestly downplayed her influence. "They were real reformers," she said. "I’ve just fought for Planned Parenthood, abortion, and how to laugh at life if you can."
Her enduring love with costar Spencer Tracy added another dimension to her life. Despite Tracy's marriage to another, they shared a bungalow for 27 years, with Katharine becoming his caregiver before his death in 1967. "She had problems just like us. She struggled," Mundy reflected. "But she was a good person. She meant well."
Ultimately, Katharine Hepburn lived a life worth celebrating. "Regrets? Of course, I’ve had regrets," she admitted. "[But] in the final analysis, you have got not to forget to laugh." Her legacy remains a testament to resilience, passion, and authenticity.
