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Spencer Tracy Biography

Birth Name:Spencer Bonaventure Tracy

Birth Place:Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Ranked No․ 9 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Male Legends
The University of California, Los Angeles presents an award for excellence in film and acting that is named in his honor
Was the first actor to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor twice, and is also the first to win it consecutively
Enlisted in the Navy at the beginning of World War I, then worked as a bellhop, janitor and salesman to pay the bills while he tried to make it as an actor
Quote: "It is up to us to give ourselves recognition․ If we wait for it to come from others we feel resentful when it doesn't and when it does we may well reject it․"
Engaged in numerous affairs, most notably a relationship with actress Katharine Hepburn that lasted from 1941 until his death
Often played relatable characters who needed to change the way they thought about things
Respected for how natural he appeared on screen and seemed to deliver his performances effortlessly though acquaintances attest to the fact that he would prepare for roles meticulously
Remained married to Louise Treadwell until his death, but the two lived separately for most of their marriage and Tracy never returned to live at his family's home after 1941
Had attended six high schools by the time he graduated from West Division High School in 1921
Suffered a fatal heart attack only 17 days after the filming of his last film, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," came to a close

Awards

1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1932Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1936NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1937Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1937NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1938Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1938NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
1938NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
1938Gold Medal-Best Actor: winner
1939Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1944Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
1944Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1945Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1947Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1948Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1949Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1950Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1950Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1950Gold Medal-Most Popular Male Star: nominated
1951Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1951Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: nominated
1951Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1952Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1954BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
1954Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: winner
1955Best Actor-: winner
1956Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1957BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
1958NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
1959Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1959BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
1959Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
1961Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1961BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
1961Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
1961Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: nominated
1962Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1962David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
1963Fotogramas de Plata-Best Foreign Performer (Mejor intérprete de cine extranjero): winner
1967NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1968Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1968David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
1968Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
1968Golden Laurel-Male Dramatic Performance: nominated
1968Gold Medal-Favorite Motion Picture: nominated
1969BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor: winner