Hepburn Her Life in Pictures Author:James Spada Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress. Known for her fierce independence and spirited personality, Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years. She appeared in a range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama, and she received a record four Academy Awards for Best Act... more »ress. In 1999, Hepburn was named by the American Film Institute the greatest female star of Classic Hollywood Cinema.« less