In old age she was a familiar figure with her hair, gradually changing from auburn to gray, always in a topknot and her boyish figure always in the trousers that she helped to make fashionable. Information about the death of Katharine Hepburn; Cause of death: Cardiac Arrest: Age of death: 96 years: Profession: Movie Actress: Birthday: May 12, 1907: Death date: June 29, 2003: Place of death: N/A: Place of burial: N/A: Known for her fierce independence and spirited personality, Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years. Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Miss Hepburn became a movie star quickly. Co-starring Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart, the MGM film adaptation was released in 1940. Tracy would never publicly acknowledge or articulate his feelings for Hepburn, a position that would only fuel the myths that would flourish around their relationship. She also requested that no funeral or memorial service be held. Hepburn once again became a Hollywood darling. It garnered Hepburn her tenth Oscar nomination and her second win. ", Katharine Hepburn, Spirited Actress, Dies at 96, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/29/obituaries/katharine-hepburn-spirited-actress-dies-at-96.html. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that happens when nerve cells in the brain don't produce enough dopamine. The thought that it was pleasing him. The "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" costars spent more than two decades hiding their status from the public. Hepburn quickly became a full-fledged star and by 1933, she had won her first Academy Award for her role in "Morning Glory." Katharine Hepburn's Death - Cause and Date Born (Birthday) May 12, 1907 Death Date June 29, 2003 Age of Death 96 years Cause of Death Cardiac Arrest Profession Movie Actress The movie actress Katharine Hepburn died at the age of 96. Her father, Dr. Thomas Norval Hepburn, was a Hartford surgeon and a pioneer in fighting venereal disease. And my head shakes. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Parkinsons tremors tend to start on one side of the body, commonly in the hands, and then progress to the other side. 1924), and a daughter Susie (b. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Katharine Hepburnspent six decades of her life working in entertainment and is one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood. Katharine Hepburn, the actress whose independent life and strong-willed movie characters made her a role model for generations of women and a beloved heroine to filmgoers for more than 60. She got Cary Grant as her former husband, James Stewart as the reporter, and a hit movie. The autobiography became a best seller, a tribute to her enduring appeal across generational lines. As an actress, she was noted for a distinctive speech pattern, quirky mannerisms, and tomboyish beauty. After all, it kills you. (Katharine Hepburn), My greatest strength is common sense. Hepburn, who once described Tracy as tortured, said that all she wanted was for him to be happy, safe, comfortable. Audrey Hepburn, original name Audrey Kathleen Ruston (see Researcher's Note), (born May 4, 1929, Brussels, Belgiumdied January 20, 1993, Tolochenaz, Switzerland), Belgian-born British actress known for her radiant beauty and style, her ability to project an air of sophistication tempered by a charming . In PEOPLE's . Twice. Essential tremor doesn't cause associated health problems, while Parkinson's carries other symptoms, such as stooped posture and balance problems, Essential tremor may affect the voice box, but Parkinson's does not, Essential tremors are usually felt more when in motion, but Parkinson's tremors are felt more when at rest. A strict Catholic, divorce was not and would never be an option for Tracy, who remained married to his wife throughout his life. Katharine Hepburn: The star passed away aged 96 back in 2003 (Image: Getty) It is important to note that many suffer from a trembling disorder where movements are so small they cannot be seen. Edit. Hepburn also left $10,000 to Christ Church, I.U., a tiny brick church in eastern Maryland where her grandfather, Sewell Hepburn, served as a minister. In the late 1950's she also appeared in several Shakespeare plays in Stratford, Conn. And in 1969, when she was 62, she made her singing debut on Broadway in the Alan Jay Lerner musical "Coco," based on the life of the fashion designer Coco Chanel. Hepburn won a second Academy Award for Guess Whos Coming to Dinner (1967), a dramedy about interracial marriage; a third for The Lion in Winter (1968), in which she played Eleanor of Aquitaine; and an unprecedented fourth Oscar for On Golden Pond (1981), about long-married New Englanders (Hepburn and Henry Fonda). In typical Katharine Hepburn style, she faced the camera and, at the age of 85, tacitly acknowledged how close she had to be to the end. For most of her life, the public thought she had never married. They led separate lives long before their divorce in 1934, but they remained friendly. She never lost control of her career again. ", Of those early years, she said: "I strike people as peculiar in some way, although I don't quite understand why. Through most of her career, Miss Hepburn had a reputation for being private and elusive with the press. Also the tremor can vary in . Katharine Hepburn, the famously gravel voiced, feisty and stylish actress, died last night at the age of 96. According to TCM, Katharine Hepburn died on June 29, 2003 at the age of 96. Hepburn, judged by many to be the greatest screen actress of all time, gave the interview in 1992, but it has never been published until now. She added, laughing, "Sometimes I wonder myself.". Planting the seeds of independent intelligence that would flourish throughout Hepburn's life, both of her parents encouraged and expected their daughter to excel in academics, athletics, and any arena she chose. Onscreen their chemistry was undeniable, and audiences flocked to their films to witness the staccato, quick-witted bantering and long, meaningful looks that spoke more than any lines of dialogue could represent. She played a fictional version of the typically feisty Kate Hepburn character in "Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry" (1986), "Laura Lansing Slept Here" (1988) and "The Man Upstairs" (1992). Although many believed Hepburn's career was over, she had a few tricks up her sleeve (via Live About). Per Britannica, she was on a Hollywood hot streak but that quickly changed in the mid- to late-1930s. In a rare 1987 interview, Hepburn herself was recorded talking about the tremor. "I have no fear of death," she said. The actress signed a. | Source: Getty Images Soon after dipping her foot in the acting world, she met Spencer Tracy. Katharine Hepburn died on June 29, 2003 at the age of 96. She also had relationships with actor Spencer Tracy and entrepreneur and filmmaker Howard Hughes. For many, the late actress Katherine Hepburn provided an indelible public image of essential tremor. They lived together in a cottage owned by a director friend but kept separate addresses on paper so the public wouldnt find out. Per Celebrity Net Worth, Hepburn was reportedly worth $20 million at the time of her death, with much of that coming from the value of her waterfront home. Tracy died just 17 days after they had finished filming it. Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in a scene from "Woman Of The Year", Why Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy Kept Their Relationship a Secret, Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images, READ MORE: How Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn Inspired the Characters Sam and Diane From, Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Later she achieved one of her great artistic triumphs in an unlikely role, as the 12th-century Eleanor of Aquitaine in "The Lion in Winter" (1968). "He's meat and potatoes, meat and potatoes," she would say. She recalled their last years together, when he was ill and had trouble sleeping, and she would sit on the floor by his side and talk. You can unsubscribe at any time. Miss Hepburn, then 14, found his body hanging from the rafters of a house the family was visiting in New York City. Many years after Katharine . She began: "So this is about Katharine Hepburn, public, private. She was a versatile actress and played prominent roles in theater, films, and TV series. 11 Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) Columbia Pictures. Katharine Hepburn strikes a pose in 1933, shortly after escaping from The Lake. Tracy, a devout Catholic, was married and refused to divorce his wife due to his religious beliefs. She followed him to the kitchen but heard a glass shatter and then a loud thud before she got there. His hand and his head shook. According to TCM, this significantly altered her personality and she struggled to stay afloat in school. The disease progresses over time which can lead to more and more disability. Hepburn then began to perform on Broadway before making the change to film. According to her last will & testament(posted at Living Trust Network), she gave her housekeeper, Norah Considine Moore, $100,000; her accountant, Erik Hanson, $50,000; and her literary agent, Freya Manston, $5,000. Tracy was a womanizer and a drunk, and her savior instincts kicked in. She also authorized her executors, if they so choose, to pursue publication of her "manuscripts, letters or other personal papers or records." Her most striking television appearance was not in a dramatic role, but in a 1986 tribute to Spencer Tracy. This beta blocker is effective in 40 percent to 50 percent of patients but is less useful in reducing head and voice tremor. What is Katharine Hepburn best known for? Hepburn was once asked why she stayed with Tracy for so long under the circumstances. Eventually, Hepburn was accepted into Bryn Mawr College and discovered acting. While filming Woman of the Year in 1942, she began an enduring intimate relationship with her costar, Spencer Tracy, with whom she would appear in films such as Adams Rib (1949) and Pat and Mike (1952); both were directed by Cukor. After calling his brother with the news, Hepburn called his wife. He was 94. As an actress, she was noted for her brisk upper-class New England accent and tomboyish beauty. Therapy such as occupational or physical therapy aims to help individuals adapt to living life with a tremor and improve their muscle strength, control and coordination. Miss Hepburn is survived by a brother, Dr. Robert H. Hepburn, and a sister, Margaret H. Perry, both of Canton, Conn.; four nieces; and nine nephews. She also told Walters that she never watched their final film (Guess Whos Coming to Dinner) because The memories were too painful. Hepburn also kept the cup that cracked on the kitchen floor. Who then inherited her large estate? They were merely friends. In 1994 she appeared in a few scenes in the television movie "One Christmas," as yet another wise old aunt. Katharine Hepburn was an American actress of film, television and stage. Tracy, whos health had been declining, died of a heart attack before she could reach him. [We] just passed 27 years together in what was to me absolute bliss., .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Chris Rock, Doctors: No Further Hope for Actor Tom Sizemore, Raquel Welchs Mixed Feelings about Her Fur Bikini, Andrea Riseboroughs Oscar Controversy, Explained, 10 Milestones on Viola Davis Road to EGOT Glory. What was Katharine Hepburns early life like? Katharine Hepburn's diet was famously healthy and she was known for her love of spinach. Although her head shook visibly in television interviews from the 1980's on, she vehemently denied the rumor that she had Parkinson's disease, saying she had inherited her shaking head from her grandfather Hepburn. However, The Guardian notes that Hepburn had been sick for some time and was suffering from Parkinson's disease prior to her death. "She held that grudge forever." Yet Kate remained faithful to the end and was. As such, she directed the executors to "consult with publishers, editors, literary agents" to determine "the advisability of publishing such literary works.". Per Chandlers book, Hepburn was asleep when she heard a cup break in the kitchen. I can only say that I could never have left him. Here a GP may refer you to a specialist for further tests or monitor the tremor themselves to make sure it does not get progressively worse. In "Adam's Rib" (1949), they are married, opposing lawyers, both nicknamed Pinky. What disease did Katharine Hepburn develop and die from? Late in life, she laughingly said of her younger self, "I am terribly afraid I just assumed I'd be famous.". One of her most enduring films without Tracy was "The African Queen" (1952), in which she played the straitlaced Rosie opposite Humphrey Bogart for the director John Huston. Performer Gene Kelly once recalled Hepburn and Tracy getting together at lunchtimes at the studio, where theyd just meet and sit on a bench on the lot. Hepburn, 96, died last month of cardiac arrest at her waterfront home in Old Saybrook. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It's very queer. Once a medical professional has ruled out any other conditions that could be causing a tremor or shaking, individuals may be advised to abstain from heavy alcohol use, avoid caffeine and avoid certain medications in order to see if this curbs the effect of the shaking. She was a fair match in toughness for John Wayne in the western "Rooster Cogburn" (1975). No regrets.". At the conclusion of "All About Me," her own television biography, she said: "In some ways I've lived my life as a man, made my own decisions. In a July 7 court application, McFadden, one of Hepburn's executors, estimated that the star's personal property was worth $800,000 and valued the "gross taxable estate" at $10 million. According to Stacker, while living in Nazi-occupied Holland, she helped the Dutch resistance by delivering messages and giving dance performances. Lastly, Hepburn requested that her homes in Connecticut and New York be sold and the profits given to her sister, Margaret, her brother, Robert, and the families of her deceased brothers Richard and Marion. 3 1 Quora User Been through it all. The star, who died last week at the age of 96, told of the strange experience of living a quarter of a century beyond her long-time lover, Spencer Tracy, and more than 40 years beyond Humphrey Bogart, her co-star in The African Queen. Hepburn once said, I think Howard could understand me better than he could understand himself. History reports that she died in her home in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, from natural causes. They first met on the set of the comedy-drama Woman of the Year (1942), playing two journalists who fall in love and try to balance their personal lives with their commitment to their careers. Her career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned over 60 years. ", "I would have been terrified alone in New York City," she said. Her tailor-made Hepburn lines included these: "I've always lived my life exactly as I wanted. They fell in love, despite the fact that Tracy was married, and they remained together until Tracy's death in 1967. And while moviegoers enjoyed her performances in homespun entertainments such as Little Women (1933) and Alice Adams (1935), they were largely resistant to historical vehicles such as Mary of Scotland (1936), A Woman Rebels (1936), and Quality Street (1937). She ate a lot of fruits and vegetables and avoided processed foods. Hughes proposed to Hepburn more than once, and in 1938, gave her a diamond and emerald engagement ring. Her father, who was a businessman and son of the founders of the Corning Glass Works, committed suicide in 1892 and her mother died two years later due to stomach cancer, so teenage Katharine was sent to live with her mother's cousin. And she asked for Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable as her co-stars. Over time they may develop a shaking or quivering sound in their voice or be unable to control their head-nodding when looking in the mirror.