Hepburn’s unorthodox side revealed

When actress Katharine Hepburn died in June 2003, author William Mann felt the time had come to write a more truthful and intimate portrayal of the Hollywood icon.

In “Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn” (2006 Henry Holt and Company), Mann reveals how Hepburn’s private side contradicted her carefully crafted public image.

The author will appear at the Newport Beach Central Library Thursday to discuss the book and present a side of the actress he feels people haven’t had an opportunity to see.

In writing the book, Mann met with friends and family members who became more willing to talk about Hepburn after her death.

Hepburn’s brother told the author he wanted answers to questions he’s had for years about his sister’s personal and professional life.

Many of Hepburn’s friends told Mann they needed to understand her as a person in order to understand why she mattered so much to the American people.

Mann said even he had accepted the notion, perpetuated by Hepburn herself, that she had no interest in fame and that aspiring to be a star was “malarkey.”

But according to Mann, the most surprising thing he uncovered in writing the book was that Hepburn was much more ambitious than she appeared.

Debunking the myths surrounding an actress as revered as Hepburn was challenging for the author, who wanted to remain compassionate and respectful while telling a different truth.

“I’m not here to demolish legend for the mere sake of demolishing it,” he said. “Any time a biographer tells the story of a person’s life, what you want to do is share how someone confronts the challenges of their life.”

Mary Ellen Bowman is on staff at the library, where the book club just finished reading the Hepburn biography. She called it an “eye-opener.”

Bowman said they chose the book because they wanted a biography dealing with a celebrity, and they knew the author was scheduled to make an appearance at the library.

“It’s really a great opportunity to read contemporary authors, meet them and ask questions,” she said.

In the book, Mann skillfully explains the people and events that could have prompted Hepburn to recreate herself, Bowman said. Hepburn had no publicity people working for her; the persona she created was of her own making.

Hepburn was a very unconventional woman for her time, Mann contends. She never married or had children, and she may best be remembered for her long-term relationship with married actor Spencer Tracy.

Mann discusses Hepburn’s affairs with other women and also explores Tracy’s relationships with men — known facts at the time. But in Hepburn and Tracy’s day, celebrities’ sexual preferences didn’t constitute front-page news.

Mann said he was very careful not to shatter the public’s perception of the relationship between Hepburn and Tracy, while offering that it may not have been a traditional love story. According to Mann, Hepburn remained devoted to Tracy until his death.

As for the book’s revelations, Mann felt confident people would appreciate the truth.

“I trusted that most people would find her as fascinating as I did,” he said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Author William Mann discusses his biography, “Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn”

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach

COST: Free; reservations are recommended

INFO: Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Call (949) 644-3296 or go to www.nbplfoundation.org

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at [email protected].