Spencer Tracy Biography

Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was a famous American actor whose career spanned four decades with over 70 films to his credit. He was the first actor to receive an Academy Award for best actor two consecutive years. His first Oscar was for CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS in 1937. He received his second the following year for BOYS TOWN. As one of the top stars of the 1930s and 1940s, he received seven Academy Award nominations in addition to these two.

Before Tracy began his career in Hollywood, he had served in the U.S. Navy during WWI. Following his term, he attended Ripon College in Wisconsin as a pre-med student. He developed his talents as an actor with a stock company from White Plains, NY. He met his future wife, Louise Treadwell, on the tour. Together they had two children, John and Susie. John was born deaf, and Tracy and his wife later founded the John Tracy Clinic to help deaf children and their families. Tracy became involved with Katherine Hepburn in 1942, and the relationship lasted the rest of his life. Because of his Catholicism, he never sought a divorce from Louise. He died of heart failure in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 67.

CHRONOLOGY

1900 He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (April 5)

1917 He joined the Navy and spent WWI at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia.

1923 He joined a stock company from White Plains, New York.; He married fellow actress Louise Treadwell. (September)

1924 His son, John, was born. (June)

1930 THE LAST MILE, UP THE RIVER - films

1931 He moved with his family to Hollywood. (November)

1932 His daughter, Susie, was born.

1933 THE POWER AND THE GLORY - film

1935 He signed a contract with MGM studio

1936 FURY, SAN FRANCISCO, LIBELED LADY - films

1937 CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS - film

1942 The John Tracy Clinic was founded.; WOMAN OF THE YEAR - film

1944 THE SEVENTH CROSS - film

1945 THE RUGGED PATH - film

1948 STATE OF THE UNION - film

1949 ADAM'S RIB, EDWARD MY SON - films

1950 FATHER OF THE BRIDE - film

1952 His son, John, graduated from college and was married.

1953 He became a grandfather when Joseph Spencer was born to John and his wife.

1955 BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK - film

1958 THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA - film

1960 INHERIT THE WIND - film

1961 JUDGMENT AT NUREMBURG - film

1963 He was hospitalized with a congested lung condition.

1967 WHO'S COMING TO DINNER - film; He died of heart failure in Beverly Hills, California (June 10)