Profile of the Day: Spencer Tracy

Spencer Tracy

On this day in 1900, actor Spencer Tracy was born. Considered one of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Tracy captivated audiences with his impressive range and his frequent collaborations with fellow Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn.

Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was born on April 5, 1900 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A rambunctious child, Tracy was place in the care of Dominican nuns at the age of 9 in the hopes of transforming his behavior. At the age of 18, Tracy enlisted in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of seaman second class, but never went to sea.

Growing up, Tracy developed a fascination with motion pictures. By the 1930s, he signed on with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and became one of the studio’s most valuable stars. He was nominated for 9 Academy Awards for Best Actor and won two. He shares the record for nominations in the category with Laurence Olivier.

In 1923, Tracy married actress Louise Treadwell. Although the couple would become estranged, they never officially divorced. While making Woman of the Year in 1941, Tracy and Hepburn began what would become a lifelong relationship. They remained together for 26 years until his death in 1967.

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Image: Wikimedia Commons