Katharine Hepburn on screen and stage


Katharine Hepburn was an American actress of the 20th century, active in 44 feature films, 8 telemovies, and 33 stage plays over 66 years from 1928 and 1994.
Film44
Telemovies8
Theatre33
TV documentaries2
Narration2 shorts

Hepburn began her career in theatre in 1928, and later appeared on the stage in every decade up until the 1980s. Productions Hepburn played in ranged from Shakespeare, to Philip Barry comedies, work by George Bernard Shaw, and a musical.
Hepburn made her film debut in A Bill of Divorcement in 1932. Over the next six decades, she appeared in a range of genres, including screwball comedies, period dramas, and adaptations of works by notable playwrights like Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, and Edward Albee.
Her final appearance in a theatrically released film was a supporting role in Love Affair in 1994. Hepburn first appeared in a television film in 1973, and later continued to appear in the medium until she gave the final performance of her career in One Christmas in 1994. Hepburn also presented two documentaries for television, and narrated two short documentaries.

Screen

Box Office Ranking

  • 1934 – 11th
  • 1935 – 23rd
  • 1968 – 18th
  • 1969 – 9th
  • 1970 – 20th
  • 1982 – 12th

Theatre

YearPlayRoleTheatreNotes
1928The CzarinaA Lady-in-WaitingBaltimore, Maryland
1928The Cradle SnatchersA flapperBaltimore
1928The Big PondBarbaraNew York City, New YorkReleased after one performance
1928These DaysVeronica SimsCort Theatre, New York City
1928HolidayLinda SetonPlymouth Theatre, New York CityUnderstudy
1930A Month in the CountryGraziaGuild Theatre, New York CityUnderstudy
1930A Romantic Young LadyKatia; Viera AlexandrovnaThe Berkshire Playhouse, Stockbridge
1930The Admirable CrichtonThe Berkshire Playhouse, Stockbridge
1930Art and Mrs. BottleJudy BottleMaxine Elliott Theatre, New York City
1931Just MarriedIvoryton
1931It's a Wise ChildIvoryton
1931Alias the DeaconIvoryton
1931The Cat and the CanaryIvoryton
1931Let Us Be GayIvoryton
1931The Man Who Came BackIvoryton
1932The Warrior's HusbandAntiopeMorosco Theatre, New York CityMarch–May 1932
1932The Bride the Sun Shines OnOssining, New York
1934The LakeStella SurregeMartin Beck Theatre, New York City
1936–1937Jane EyreJane EyreOn tour
1939–1941The Philadelphia StoryTracy LordSchubert Theatre, New York CityPlayed New York March 1939 – March 1940;
Toured Washington, D.C., and Chicago October 1940 – 1941;
Revival in Washington in 1942
1942–1943Without LoveJamie Coe RowanSt. James Theatre, New York CityToured first; New York, October 1942 – February 1943
1950As You Like ItRosalindCort Theatre, New York CityToured after New York
1952The MillionairessEpifaniaNew Theatre, London, UK;
Schubert Theatre, New York City		Played Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Manchester before London;
New York dates: 17 October – 28 December 1952
1955The Taming of the ShrewKatherinaAustralia tourMay - November 1955
1955Measure for MeasureIsabellaAustralia tourMay - November 1955
1955The Merchant of VenicePortiaAustralia tourMay - November 1955
1957The Merchant of VenicePortiaAmerican Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
1957Much Ado About NothingBeatriceAmerican Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
1960Twelfth NightViolaAmerican Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
1960Antony and CleopatraCleopatraAmerican Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
1969–1971CocoCoco ChanelMark Hellinger Theatre, New York CityPlayed New York 18 December 1969 – 3 August 1970;
Toured in 1971
1976–1977A Matter of GravityMrs. BasilBroadhurst Theatre, New York CityBegan with a 12-week pre-Broadway tour;
After New York, toured U.S. for 6 months
1981–1982The West Side WaltzMargaret Mary ElderdiceOn tourToured U.S. before ending at Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway