Spencer Tracy 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 severe 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" in 1967, completed just 17 days before his death. During his
Spencer Tracy Tracy's emphasis on naturalism when, as a rookie actor, he observed Tracy on the sets of "Inherit the Wind". When Reynolds later introduced himself to Tracy as an actor, Tracy replied, "An actor, huh? Just remember not to ever let anyone catch you at it." Despite the perception of being able to perform effortlessly, acquaintances of Tracy said that he would carefully prepare for each role. Joseph L. Mankiewicz lived with Tracy during the production of "Test Pilot", and recounted that the actor would lock himself in his bedroom "working extremely hard" each night. Many co-workers commented on his strong