Spencer Tracy

Spencer Bonaventure Tracy still remains one of America's most beloved and remembered actors. He studied acting in New York City and appeared in Broadway shows before joining MGM as one of their premier actors. He starred in over 75 films from 1930 to 1967 and won Academy Awards for Captains Courageous and Boys Town. Born on April 5, 1900 Tracy lived until June 10, 1967.
At 18, Tracy enlisted in the US Navy, but he never saw action. Most of his Navy career was spent in Norfolk Virginia. After his Naval career Tracy spend the 1920s as a stage actor. He was a robot in R.U.R a science fiction play by Kavel Capek. He appeared in comedies and dramas on stage and in The Last Mile director John Ford saw Tracy and signed him for the film Up the River with Humphrey Bogart (1930).
Fox Studios usually cast Tracy as a tough guy or criminal in movies. He did have a reputation as a heavy drinker. Spencer was also known for his many extramarital affairs but his wife Louis Treadmill never divorced him.
Tracy played alongside Clark Gable in San Francisco and in 1937 he won an Academy Award for his portrayal in Captains Courageous. He also won an academy award for his portrayal of Father Flanagan in Boys Town.
Spencer starred opposite Katharine Hepburn in Woman of the Year and Adam's Rib. They had tremendous on screen chemistry which lead to rumors and speculation of a romantic affair.
Tracy's final years included Inherit the Wind (1950) where he portrayed renowned lawyer Clarence Darrow. Tracy was outstanding in Judgment at Nuremburg where he played the judge presiding at the trial of German WWII criminals.
Tracy became difficult to work with and suffered from health problems. His final movie, guess Who's Coming to Dinner with Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier earned him critical accolades. He died of a heart attack shortly after the release of this film. Hepburn was at his side.