Family Tree Tuesday – Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn

Academy award winning actress Katharine Hepburn is hailed as one of the greatest actresses in film history. Hepburn holds the record for the most Oscar wins, with a total of 4 wins out of 12 nominations.

Hepburn was born on May 12, 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut to a wealthy family. Her father, Thomas Hepburn, was a prominent surgeon and Connecticut’s first urologists. He co-founded the American Social Hygiene Association, which was dedicated to educating the public about sexually transmitted diseases. Her mother, Katharine Houghton, was a leading figure in the woman suffrage movement. She helped co-found the American Birth Control League, which is known today as Planned Parenthood.

Hepburn was one of six children. Her brother, Robert, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a urologist. Her sister, Marion Hepburn Grant was a historian, activist and co-founder of the Greater Hartford Urban League.  Marion’s daughter, actress Katharine Houghton, co-starred alongside her aunt Katharine in the film, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Houghton played Hepburn’s daughter in the film. Houghton later married actor Ken Jenkins, who is best known for playing Dr. Kelso in the television series, Scrubs.

Check out Katharine Hepburn’s family tree and see how you’re related!

Katharine Hepburn's family tree