Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing skills and versatility. Spencer Tracy was the first actor to win two consecutive Academy Awards For Best Actor from nine nominations. He was ranked as the 9th greatest male star of Classic Hollywood Cinema by the American Film Institute. His breakthrough performance was in The Last Mile in 1930.
He often wore a lopsided fedora hat in his films. He has exceptional acting skills which made him the lead hero in Hollywood. In 1955, he won the Cannes Film Festival Award For Best Actor for the movie Bad Day at Black Rock. His personal life was in trouble for being an alcoholic. He was voted the 15th greatest movie star of all time by Entertainment Weekly. Tracy worked exclusively for director Stanley Kramer. His last film was Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner which was completed just 17 days before his death.
| Birth | 5 April 1900 |
| Birth Name | Spencer Bonaventure Tracy |
| Nick Name | Spence, Pops |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1921-1967 |
| Spouse | Louise Treadwell |
| Death | 10 June 1967 |
| Net worth | $50 Million |
| Resting Place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale |
Spencer Tracy Early Life:
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was born on 5 April 1900 in Milwaukee. His father Jhon Edward Tracy was a truck salesman and his mother Caroline belonged to a rich family. His father was of Catholic, Irish descent. Tracy was a hyperactive child with poor school attendance. He was placed in Dominican Order nuns to transform his behavior.
Spencer Tracy Milwaukee:
Spencer Tracy’s connection to Milwaukee is that he was born in the city on April 5, 1900. Tracy grew up in Milwaukee and attended Marquette University before pursuing a career in acting. While he eventually moved to Hollywood and became a renowned film actor, his roots in Milwaukee remained an important part of his personal and early life.
Spencer Tracy Education:
He attended several Jesuit Academies in his teenage years which helped him to improve his grades. Tracy enlisted in the Navy when he was 18 years. Tracy achieved the rank of seaman second class but he had never gone to sea and was discharged in February 1919.
He drove back to high school due to his father’s wish and he secured his place at Ripon College. He was interested in medicine. Spencer made his stage debut at Ripon College by playing the male lead in The Truth. He received good remarks for his performance. Tracy was offered a scholarship by the American Academy of Dramatics and Arts. He graduated from AADA in March 1923.
Spencer Tracy’s Personal Life:
Tracy met actress Louise Treadwell in the first company he joined. The couple engaged in May 1923 and married in September. They had a son and a daughter. The son was deaf Tracy considered his son’s disability due to his sins. The couple lived separately but none of them had taken any divorce action. The children were raised by his wife.
Tracy had extra-marital affairs with different co-stars including Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Loretta Young, and Ingrid Bergman.
Spencer Tracy Katharine Hepburn relationship:
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn had a significant and enduring relationship both on and off-screen. They first met while filming “Woman of the Year” in 1941 and went on to collaborate on a total of nine films together. Their on-screen chemistry and the natural rapport they shared translated into a remarkable partnership that spanned over 25 years.
While Tracy was married to his wife, Louise Treadwell, throughout his relationship with Hepburn, he and Hepburn developed a deep and loving bond that lasted until Tracy’s death in 1967. They maintained a discreet and private relationship, often living separately, due in part to Tracy’s commitment to his marriage and the demands of his Catholic faith.
Their relationship was characterized by mutual respect, admiration, and a shared passion for acting. They supported each other both personally and professionally, with Hepburn providing emotional support during Tracy’s struggles with alcoholism and health issues.
Spencer Tracy Children:
Spencer Tracy had two children, both with his wife Louise Treadwell. Their first child was John Ten Broeck Tracy, born on June 26, 1924. John Tracy followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor and stage manager. Their second child was Louise Tracy, born on July 15, 1932. Louise Tracy led a more private life and did not pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
The career of Spencer Tracy:
He made his New York Debut in the play The wedding guests. In the same year, he made his Broadway debut in the movie in R.U.R. After his graduation he joined a new stock company in New York, but he was given peripheral roles. He then moved to a company in Cincinnati but failed to make any impact.
Spencer As An Actor:
Tracy achieved some fame by working with a notable stock manager William H. Wright in 1924. This performance made him noticed by the directors of Broadway. He was well known after his successful movie The Last Mile in 1930. Spencer received a standing ovation for his performance. He was praised for his outclass acting by the critics.
Spencer Tracy Movies in Order :
- Adam’s Rib
- Inherit The Wind
- Father Of The Bride
- Judgment At Nuremberg
- Bad Day At Black Rock
- Woman Of The Year
- Captains Courageous
- Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
- Boys Town
- Fury
- It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
- Desk Set
- The Last Hurrah
- Pat And Mike
- Broken Lance
- State of Union
- The Old Man and The Sea
Spencer Tracy’s Net Worth:
Tracy was an American actor who had a net worth of $6 million at the time of his death in 1967. After adjusting for inflation that’s the same as around $50 million in today’s dollars. Spencer Tracy was among the most famous movie stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Nominated for nine Best Actor Academy Awards, he won two in consecutive years for “Captains Courageous” and “Boys Town.” Tracy was also renowned for his partnership with actress Katharine Hepburn, starring alongside her in nine films over 25 years.
Spencer Tracy Cause of Death:
On 10 June 1967, Tracy died due to a heart attack. He was struggling with many health problems throughout his life. Spencer Tracy was an alcoholic and a chain smoker. He also suffered from Pulmonary edema.
His grave is located at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. Forest Lawn is a well-known cemetery and memorial park that is the final resting place for many notable individuals from the entertainment industry.
Spencer Tracy Oscar and Awards :
Spencer Tracy was a highly acclaimed actor and received numerous accolades throughout his career. He won two Oscars for Best Actor. Here are the details of his Oscar wins:
- Year: 1938 Award: Best Actor Film: “Captains Courageous”
- Year: 1939 Award: Best Actor Film: “Boys Town”
Here are some other notable awards and nominations received by Mr. Tracy
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor (1954)
- Cannes Best Actor Award (1955)
- David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor (1968, 1962)
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor In Leading Role (1969)
- National Board Of Review Award for Best Actor (1958)
Spencer Tracy FAQS:
- Was spencer tracy gay?
There have been speculation and rumors regarding Spencer’s sexuality, including suggestions that he might have been gay or bisexual. However, it is important to note that Spencer was a private individual, and he never publicly addressed his sexual orientation. He was married to Louise Treadwell from 1923 until his death in 1967, and they had two children together
- How tall was spencer tracy?
He stood at a height of approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm). His talent as an actor and his powerful performances often overshadowed his physical stature, making him one of the most respected and revered actors of his time.
- Was spencer tracy ever on Gunsmoke?
No, Tracy did not appear on the television series “Gunsmoke.” “Gunsmoke” was a popular Western-themed TV show that aired from 1955 to 1975, but Tracy was primarily known for his work in films rather than television
- what was Spencer Tracy’s last movie?
Tracy’s last film was “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967). In this film, Tracy starred alongside Katharine Hepburn, who was his frequent collaborator and real-life partner. The film tackled the subject of interracial marriage, which was controversial at the time.
- How old was spencer tracy when he died
Tracy passed away on June 10, 1967, at the age of 67. He was born on April 5, 1900, so he was just a few months shy of his 68th birthday at the time of his death.
