Katharine Hepburn passes.........

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OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (June 29) - Katharine Hepburn, an icon of feminist strength and spirit who brought a chiseled beauty and patrician bearing to such films as ''The Philadelphia Story'' and ''The African Queen,'' died Sunday, her executor and town authorities said. She was 96.

Town authorities and the executor of Hepburn's estate, Cynthia McFadden, said Hepburn died Sunday at 2:50 p.m. at her home in Old Saybrook. She had been in declining health in recent years.

During her 60-year career, she won a record four Academy Awards and was nominated 12 times, which stood as a record until Meryl Streep surpassed her nomination total in 2003. Her Oscars were for ''Morning Glory,'' 1933; ''Guess Who's Coming to Dinner,'' 1967; ''A Lion in Winter,'' 1968; and ''On Golden Pond,'' 1981.

Despite her success, Hepburn always felt she could have done more.

''I could have accomplished three times what I've accomplished,'' she once said. ''I haven't realized my full potential. It's disgusting.''

But, she said, ''Life's what's important. Walking, houses, family. Birth and pain and joy - and then death. Acting's just waiting for the custard pie. That's all.''

Hepburn, the product of a wealthy, freethinking New England family, was forthright in her opinions and unconventional in her conduct.

She dressed for comfort, usually in slacks and sweater, with her red hair caught up in a topknot. She married only once, briefly, and her name was linked to Howard Hughes and other famous men, but the great love of her life was Spencer Tracy. They made nine films together and remained close companions until Tracy's death in 1967.

 

[milagros317]

She was a great talent. In "The African Queen" she and Bogart were perfect foils for each other.
R.I.P., Katherine.

 

[TKpervert]

The 'African Queen' was a movie I will never forget.

 

[Oddjob0226]

I remember watching her t.v. documentary ME, whcih came out the same time as her book. In the show she mentioned that fans were always giving her gifts. She also mentioned that she loved flowers... "That's not a hint... well, not much of one!" she laughed.

I started painting around 1995 or so, and still struggle with it. But I remembered what she said from the documentary, found an address and wrote to her, letting her know that I'd admired her work, enjoyed the t.v. show, and had just started on white I'd hoped would be an interesting journey with my painting. I also sent along one of my 1st pieces, an amaturish little metalic vase of flowers done in acrylic (and I haven't improved much...)
Weeks passed and one day I got a letter from her. HER! It was a short little note, thanking me for the gift, and that she thought it was "charming". I write this in part - to my embarrasment - to brag, to say woo-hoo, I got a letter from Katharine Hepburn. But I ALSO write this to show that I was no one to her, and what I offered her was pretty pathetic. She was Hollywood royalty, a big star. And she still took time to write a note to me, she actually had recieved and appreciated my meager attempt at praising and thanking her. She took the time to have a brief thought for me - just some face in the crowd, miles, experiences and years separating anything we might have had in common. But she wrote me. She let me know that I was just for a little bit, just a little more than nobody. She was nice, and she took the time. Class act sounds tremendously cliche, but it really fits.

 

[Dave2112]

I also count "African Queen" among my favorite films. Hepburn's relationship with Spencer Tracy was one of Hollywood's best kept secrets in an age where actors didn't go out of their way to embroil themselves in revenue-generating scandal. Tracy, a devout Catholic, couldn't divorce his wife and when he passed away, Katherine Hepburn did not attend, out of respect. That had to be tough.

The screen may never again see such a commanding presence.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

She was a great talent who will be missed. My favorite role was when she did Lion in Winter. Second favorite was On Golden Pond. "It's me, you old poop!" May she rest in peace.

Ann

 

[QBWeaver]

On Golden Pond was such a wondrous love story. And it's amazing that those two had never met prior to filming that movie.

At last she can be with the true love of her life, Spencer.

God Bless you Katherine.

 

[JPie1]

I loved On Golden Pond, one of my favs...

She was a wonderful actress