Discovering Katharine Hepburn

Part of the Series: Discovering Film

Katharine Hepburn's, who's movie career covered over 60 years, was known for playing empowered, intelligent and sophisticated women. Born in Connecticut, Hepburn turned to acting soon after her graduation and after receiving some positive reaction from her time on Broadway she was to get her first important role in Bill of Divorcement produced in 1932. It turned her overnight into instant star, and was followed with an Academy Award for her performance in Morning Glory one year later.

Her tough persona and penchant for wearing trousers, scared executives and audiences alike, but in true Hepburn spirit she bought herself out of her RKO contract and acquired the film rights to The Philadelphia Story, which she sold on the condition that she be the star. The movie was a hit, and Hepburn's career was back on track. Hepburn was to win 4 Academy Awards (a record number) as well as becoming a cultural icon as an influential figure in the changing perception of women. in television movies, and made her final screen appearance in 1994 at the age of 87.