Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress whose career spanned six decades. Known for her fierce independence and spirited personality, Hepburn embodied an assertive and refreshing new woman, on-screen and off-screen. She began her career during the Golden Age of Hollywood in a series of roles that established her commanding and magnetic screen presence. After winning her first Academy Award for Best Actress, she proceeded to redefine traditional notions of femininity and shattered traditional gender norms paving the way for other women in Hollywood. Her movie career is pitched with classics, her influence on fashion is well acknowledged and her image inspires feminists to this day. Raised in Connecticut by wealthy, progressive parents, Hepburn began to act while at Bryn Mawr College. Broadway brought her to Hollywood's attention and she was soon listed as one of its major stars. The ups and downs of her four-decade-long film career did not deter Hepburn's spirit. In her later years, she continued to perform on stage and in television movies, leading to four Academy Awards in the Best Actress category, a record that still remains unbeaten by any actor. Hepburn also wielded her influence to support the civil rights and feminist movements.