Spencer Tracy was an American actor who is best known for “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “Judgment at Nuremberg,” and “Captains Courageous.” He had a renowned career in film that spanned nearly forty years, earning two Academy Awards for Best Actor.
Personal and Family Life
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was born on April 5, 1900, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to John Edward and Caroline Brown Tracy. He was the second son in the family and attended Marquette Academy. Tracy married Louise Tracy in 1923, and they had two children, John and Susie. Throughout his life, he struggled with personal issues, including severe alcoholism.
Career Highlights
Tracy’s acting career began in theater, and he gradually transitioned to film, first gaining recognition at MGM in the 1930s. He won back-to-back Academy Awards for “Captains Courageous” and “Boys Town,” becoming one of Hollywood’s top stars. Tracy had a famously complicated relationship with actress Katharine Hepburn, which lasted for decades despite his marriage. His career included hits like “Father of the Bride” and “Bad Day at Black Rock.”
Death and Legacy
Spencer Tracy passed away on June 10, 1967, in Beverly Hills, California, from a heart attack following lung congestion. His death came shortly after wrapping up filming for “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Tracy is remembered as a celebrated actor whose talent and relatable performances leave a lasting legacy in film history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Judgment at Nuremberg | 1961-12-18 | Dan Haywood |
| Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner | 1967-12-11 | Matt Drayton |
| Inherit the Wind | 1960-07-07 | Henry Drummond |
| Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | 1941-08-12 | Dr. Henry ‘Harry’ Jekyll / Mr. Hyde |
| Woman of the Year | 1942-02-05 | Sam Craig |
| Father of the Bride | 1950-05-18 | Stanley T. Banks |
| The Old Man and the Sea | 1958-10-07 | The Old Man |
| It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | 1963-11-07 | C. G. Culpepper |
| Desk Set | 1957-08-02 | Richard Sumner |
| Captains Courageous | 1937-06-25 | Manuel Fidello |
| Father’s Little Dividend | 1951-04-05 | Stanley Banks |
| Bad Day at Black Rock | 1955-01-13 | John J. Macreedy |
| San Francisco | 1936-06-26 | Father Tim Mullin |
| 30 Seconds Over Tokyo | 1944-11-15 | Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle |
| State of the Union | 1948-04-30 | Grant Matthews |
| Adam’s Rib | 1949-11-18 | Adam Bonner |