Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy

Common card · No. 222052

Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) and Spencer Tracy (1900–1967) starred in nine films together and had an affair—an open secret in Hollywood—that lasted 26 years, ending only with Tracy's death. Allegedly when they first met, Hepburn said, "I fear I may be too tall for you, Mr. Tracy" or possibly "You know, Mr. Tracy, I'm afraid I'm a bit too tall for you." In one version, Tracy supposedly replied, "Don't worry, I'll cut you down to my size." In another, Joseph L. Mankiewicz reportedly said, "Don't worry, Kate, he'll cut you down to size." They were initially cool to each other on their first production together, Woman of the Year, but that quickly dissipated, and within a week, they were calling each other Spence and Kate. Hepburn fell in love with Tracy. A common myth is that as a Catholic, he would not divorce his wife. Under California law in effect at the time, however, his wife, Louise, may have had grounds, but he did not. California did not adopt no fault divorce until January 1...

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