KATHARINE HEPBURN

American actress. Filmed in the movies: "Early fame" (Oscar), "Little Women," "The Philadelphia Story", "Woman of the Year", "Guess who comes to dinner?" (Bonus " Oscar ")," Lion in Winter "(Oscar)," On Golden pond "(Oscar) and other theatrical roles: Antiopa (voitelnitsy husband), Tracy Lord (" The Philadelphia Story "), etc.

Katharine Hepburn was born May 12, 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut. Her mother, Katherine Martha Houghton, comes from a famous family owned the largest glassworks. His father, Thomas Norvel Hepburn, was a doctor. They were born six children.

Kate received an excellent education. She graduated from the College of Bryn Mor (Issue 1928), knew several languages, earned a medal at the championship in figure skating, tennis player was the second state of Missouri and one of the most promising golfistok in the country. Hepburn was involved in amateur productions, which are arranged during the summer holidays at the cottage.

In nineteen years, she said the parents that he wanted to become an actress. The father initially objected, but then still it has allocated $ 50 for a trip to Baltimore. Directed by theater tamoshnego Edwin Knopf requested start young actress plays the role of "Queen" and "torch-bearer. " Given that it was neither the school nor the experience, the Hepburn played quite well.

After the season, Keith went to New York. She started taking acting lessons from a famous teacher Frances Robinson-Duff, which the student immediately liked because it reminded Eleonora Duse.

Announced in New York, Edwin Knopf invited Katherine to become a performer dublershey major role in the play "Big Lake". But after a few rehearsals this role entrusted Hepburn. Debut she failed failed. And immediately after the premiere of her dismissal.

But Kate did not fell the spirit, and soon in other theaters coped well with the role of students in the play "These Days" Klagston. Alas, the spectacle is removed after eight days . . .

"I have always been dismissed. The most fate I was destined to "break out - and extinguished. " I could take any role and read it, not even knowing what it involved - of this I did the best of all, I was able to laugh and cry, and the role of me Let us always, and then - then something happened. Or I have lost a voice, or forget replicas, krasnela, began to speak too fast - the word, I could not play. In public, I kamenela.

In 1928, Catherine married a friend of his youth Ladlou Ogdena Smith. After the wedding, they stayed in Bermuda.

The following year, Hepburn came to the theater "Gilda," where plays ingenue in the play "Meteor" Berman and summer months in the village "Turgenev.

Photo — «Katharine Hepburn»

In Stokbridzhe it is involved in several theater productions of "Berkshire pleyhaus. Finally in the Broadway production of its claim for a central role - a vibrant, strong-willed, fearless queen of Amazons Antiopy in the performance of the play Julian Thompson "Male voitelnitsy.

The premiere was held in March 1932 in the theater "Morosko" in New York. "My husband voitelnitsy" was a success, but the name of Hepburn received acclaim. She felt this actress.

Hepburn went to Hollywood and leave of the Ladlou. This was the beginning of the end of their marriage. After some time they divorced in the Yucatan in Mexico, while maintaining friendly relations. Catherine is often asked for help to a former husband.

Hollywood producer Selzniku Katherine does not like. He was ungainly girl of twenty-five years. Dressed in nothing remarkable pants and sandals, she was not Grima and spoke with a snobbish Connecticut reprimand. "My God, - exclaimed Selznik - is the most eerie dread what I have ever seen. If we need someone on the role Endorskoy witches, we will take it. " But George Kyukor thought otherwise. After reviewing the sample, he felt the unspeakable charm, something fascinating is how she put the glass on the floor. Kyukor recommended Hepburn on a central role in the sensational enterprise Selznika "bill of divorce. " Her partner is John Barrimor.

In 1933, Catherine has played in the film "Morning Glory". The role of Eva Lovelace had her first Oscar. " And the next picture - "Little Women" Hepburn calls among the most popular.

Hepburn with glitter and copes with the role of Mary Stuart in the movie "Marie Scotland" (1935). And in between the shootings will return to Broadway in order to address the sentimental play "Lake" and derogatory remarks worthy of the famous writer and critic Dorothy Parker, who said that "the range of emotions from Hepburn" and "to" B ". The play was destined to short life . . .

Catherine had hoped to play Scarlett O′Hara in Hollywood screening novel "Gone with the Wind. " But the role she has received. Then the famous playwright Phil Barry wrote specially for her play "The Philadelphia Story". Nature of main character Tracy Lord is very reminiscent of the explosive nature of Hepburn, Tracy, even it was similar to her speech - rapid flow of words, a constant irony, a joke. Katherine asked Barry to send it to the play, the first act it is approved, the second - the same, and a third asked to rewrite. The dramatist has done everything, as would an actress, and Hepburn, with the troupe "Gilda" and directed by Robert Sinclair started the rehearsal.

Photo — «Katharine Hepburn»

Premiere of "Philadelphia Story" was held in February 1939 in New Heyvene, after which the play went to Broadway. Spectator success was overwhelming. Good performance and took a strict New York critic. Even Brooks Atkinson found the words of recognition: "It is strange, always initiating a small woman with a strict beauty and metallic voice, to build for her role is always very difficult. But today, the central drama of Mr. Barry, it is a woman who finally found his happiness - and found her in the theater. There is no ambiguity in the behavior of its heroine. The actress has a refined taste, it is surprisingly alive and free in expressing feelings. "

The performance was 415 times on Broadway, on tour in the United States showed its still 254 times. "The Philadelphia Story" has more than a million of revenue and saved the "Gilda" from ruin, the very same Hepburn, which had belonged to a quarter of revenue, significantly improved its financial position.

Soon the film, many were willing to lay out any money for the right to screen "Philadelphia Story". It was found that these rights owned by . . . Hepburn. She outwitted all. The film is sensational to play out in 1940. Katherine for the role of Tracy Lord received the award in New York film critics.

Working with her was not easy, it is recognized, even the great J. Ford, H. Houks, E. Kazan, John Huston. Unlike most other stars, it may require to correct the already rehearse mizanstsenu, peresnyat not like her episode, and even replace the partner. Katherine tried to achieve all perfection.

Hepburn - actress of wide range, capable of instant transformation. But the best way she managed the role in a comedy, with comedy sophistical built on wit dialogue. It refers to the paintings "Woman of the Year" (1942), which for the first time she was partnered by Spencer Tracy. They were wonderful, and the duo played together in nine scenes: "Woman of the Year," the fire keeper "," Without Love "Sea of Grass," "married," "Adam′s rib", "Pat and Mike "," desk set "," Guess who comes to dinner? ".

The creative method of Hepburn opposite to that practiced Spencer (he preferred to do everything from the first double). Katherine has worked meticulously, analytical approach to the role. So, before you start shooting the film "Lion in Winter", it is so carefully studied all the material on Eleonora Akvitanskoy that could well write a thesis on the topic for the title of master. She loved to rehearse, try double in a few different options.

Tracy became a partner, not only in cinema but also in life.

Photo — «Katharine Hepburn»

True, he never divorced his wife, Louise. "I asked what this was in the Spence, forcing me to live with him almost thirty years, - writes in his book Hepburn. - Reply to this question, I would not be possible. Fair call, I do not know. I can only say that he never could keep it. He lived - and I was entirely his. I wanted it to be happy - has been protected from all adversity - was surrounded by comfort. I liked to wait for him to listen to him, feed him, talk to them, to work for him . . . "

In the late 1940′s Hepburn decided to try himself in Shakespeare′s repertoire. For the setting of the play "As You Like It" began Michael Bentholl, who led the Old Vic. " All 148 submissions to the New York Theater Cort were sold out. Katherine received a true pleasure to work on this play.

After a New York company has committed extensive tour of the United States. Actors are well earned and enjoyed both public and critics.

Of all the films in which Kate subsided by the time, but they have already been 28, - no one took it so much physical strength as "African Queen" (1951), in which she played the older girls. Frequent travel, unusual climate conditions of heavy shooting on location, the need to adapt to unusual Humphrey Bogart, as well as the constant vagaries of John Houston - all harry. A quarter of a century later, the actress wrote a funny book "The shooting" African Queen ", or How I went to Africa with Bogart, Beykol and Houston, and nearly went mad. "

Hepburn, played with great success in "Millionershe" (1952) B. Shaw. The play again put Bentholl. She played ten weeks in London, and after the summer break, ten weeks - in New York.

It should be noted that 1950 went to Hepburn under the sign of Shakespeare. In 1955 she played at the Old Vik "in the" Venice of merchant, " The Taming of the Shrew "and" less than best. " Within six months, Kathryn, along with the theater toured in Australia. The tour was very interesting and were a great success. Later, the actress has played in productions of "Much Ado About Nothing" (1957), "Twelfth Night" and "Antony and Cleopatra" (1960).

After a series of Shakespearean roles on stage Hepburn decided to return to the cinema. In London, she took part in the film based on the play by Tennessee Williams′ "Suddenly, last summer (1960). This work has proved it difficult for many reasons. First of all, it required a long separation from Tracey. In addition, Katherine does not like the organization of the case. Yes, and the role of mother-zlodeyki, Mrs Veneybl, it was not to your liking.

Photo — «Katharine Hepburn»

But Hepburn, with enviable professionalism, coped with its task, it is easy to outflank its partners in the movie - Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift.

Tennessee Williams came to such a delight from acting Hepburn that the next play "The Night iguanas" written specially for her. But the actress took the view that the role of Folk Meksin it is not suitable. But then Katherine with Amanda Uingfild luster play in the English film based on the play by Williams′ "Glass Menagerie. " "Kate - this is an actress, whose dreams of a playwright - said Williams. - She has a text sounds much better than it is written: refinement of mind and feelings allows you to highlight all the semantic nuances that are inherent in each vocable her sentence. "

In 1962, Hepburn had established a Mary Tyrone in the film based on the play by Eugene O′Neill′s "Long Day spent the night. " Critics have unanimously recognized for her talent tragedienne. She won the next (ninth), the American Film Academy Award. Artist principal male role of Hepburn, Ralph Richardson said: "God Sees - you madly attractive woman!"

Second Oscar Hepburn got the role of the wife of a major publisher in the anti-racist film Cramer "Guess who comes to dinner?" It was the last picture of Spencer Tracy. Jun 10, 1967 his heart suddenly stopped . . . Katherine seriously experienced the death of a beloved person.

"When he was on the side of life - the last six or seven years - I actually moved from just cases to be close to him so he was spared the riots and did not feel lonely - remembers Hepburn. - I was so happy that I can do it. I draw, write, and remained at rest in the hope that he will live forever. So what was it? Spencer seemed to me absolutely absolute. He really liked me - to the depth of the soul. "

In this difficult time, it supported the English actor Peter O′Tul, persuaded the actress to pull the historic film "Lion in Winter" on the play by James Goldmena. Hepburn brilliantly played Queen Eleanor Akvitanskuyu. For the role of Eleanor actress won a third Oscar and British Film Academy Award.

One of the most exciting theatrical works Hepburn was the role of Coco Chanel in Helena Jay Lerner musical "Coco. " Musical was a new form for the actress. In listening, she sang so that everyone, including the producer of the play Frederick Brisson, were sold. Broadway premiere broke all records for sales - 35000 dollars! Critics have likened the game Hepburn with Niagara Falls, also wrote that the actress has created "a hideous monster, in which, however, for some reason, love. " During one of the "Coco" episode took place, clearly describing the nature Cate: Working deleted scenes forgotten bridge, which was to be an actress, but she is not lost - and jumped, flying on the stage, four feet, landed and did not even pokachnulas -- and is in high heels!

Enjoyed great success and another Broadway show with her participation - "West Side Waltz" (1981).

Photo — «Katharine Hepburn»

In 1982, Hepburn received the fourth to be "Oscar" for his participation in the movie "On Golden pond". The main characters, a married couple (Henry Foundation, and Katherine Hepburn), who for fifty, too focused on starting aging. In the role of their daughter Jane acted Fund. Katherine remembers with pleasure about the project: "Hank and I were in the right - mature - age, so we did not have to" play "old age. It navalivaetsya person suddenly. Suddenly, you feel that your spring has gone. Your spring in the sense of motility. Now - old - you do not jumps from the chair. you "go. " That is, make a totally different effect. "

Catherine continued removed in typical roles, even in the 1990′s, when she was far from over eighty.

When the actress was asked about the secret of its success, she responded this way: "You want me to describe the inexplicable, that makes people laugh and cry? . . And I have no idea of what to do, until you forget what a replica - and only then to know that I am on stage. Spencer has always told me: "Learn the replica - and more!" Is also considered, and Larry Olivier, and John Gilgud. Of all the talents of the game is the last place. Life - that′s what is important. Birth, Love, Pain. And then death. A game - it is the expectation of cake with custard. That′s it. "

In recent years, the legendary actress had ailments: pester arthritis, Parkinson′s disease, as well as the incurable eye disease. In addition, she underwent surgery for prosthetic hip. Hepburn, not to joke frightened health problems, sold his house in the heart of Manhattan, who bought back in 1932, and moved closer to nature, of Connecticut Odd-Seybruk where lives quietly and modestly.

12 May 1997, the day of its 90 th anniversary, the largest city in the United States in the garden area of the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, located near the UN, has been renamed the "Garden of Katherine Hepburn. "

Hepburn owned the absolute record number of nominations for the "Oscar" - 12. In 1999 she was recognized as the most legendary American film actress.

P. S. Katharine Hepburn has gone from a life of 29 June 2003.