Tracy, Spencer Bonaventure B., S2c

This Deceased Navy Profile is not currently maintained by any Member. If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Deceased profile please click HERE

Spencer Tracy was one America's most beloved actors. After studying acting in New York City, he appeared in several Broadway shows before joining the prestigious movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He starred in 75 films from 1930 to 1967, winning back-to-back Academy Awards for Captains Courageous and Boys Town. Tracy was married to actress Louise Treadwell. He died in Beverly Hills, California, on June 10, 1967.
 

Tracy discovered his talent for acting while attending Ripon College, and later received a scholarship for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He spent seven years in the theatre, working in a succession of stock companies and intermittently on Broadway. Tracy's breakthrough came in 1930, when his lead performance in The Last Mile caught the attention of Hollywood. After a successful film debut in Up the River, Tracy was signed to a contract with Fox Film Corporation. His five years with Fox were unremarkable, and he remained largely unknown to audiences after 25 films. In 1935, Tracy joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Hollywood's most prestigious studio. His career flourished with a series of hit films, and in 1937 and 1938 he won consecutive Oscars for Captains Courageous and Boys Town. By the 1940s, Tracy was one of the studio's top stars. In 1942 he appeared with Katharine Hepburn in Woman of the Year, beginning a popular partnership that produced nine movies over 25 years.
 

Tracy left MGM in 1955 and continued to work regularly as a freelance star, despite an increasing weariness as he aged. His personal life was troubled, with a lifelong-struggle against alcoholism and guilt over his son's deafness. Tracy became estranged from his wife in the 1930s but never divorced, conducting a long-term relationship with Katharine Hepburn in private. Towards the end of his life, Tracy worked almost exclusively for director Stanley Kramer. It was for Kramer that he made his last film, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), completed 17 days before Tracy's death. During his career, Tracy appeared in 75 films and developed a reputation among his peers as one of the screen's greatest actors. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Tracy as one of the top ten Hollywood legends.

With little care for his studies and "itching for a chance to go and see some excitement", Tracy enrolled in the Navy when he turned eighteen  with friend Pat O'Brien. He never saw any action, having spent most of his time stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. He was sent to the Naval Training Station in North Chicago, where he was still a student when World War I came to an end. He achieved the rank of seaman second class, but never went to sea and was discharged in February 1919. John Tracy's desire to see one of his sons gain a college degree drove Tracy back to high school to finish his diploma. Studies at two more institutions plus the additional allowance of "war credits" won Tracy a place at Ripon College. He entered Ripon in February 1921, declaring his intention to major in medicine.

Assigned to Norfolk Navy Yard for duration of war. Released from active duty Febuary 23, 1919 and honorably discharged September 30, 1921.