Before college, enlisted in Navy with boyhood friend, Pat O'Brien at age 17

Moved to NYC

Broadway debut, first as a walk-on, then a speaking part in Theatre Guild production of Karel Capek's "R.U.R."

During Broadway run of "The Last Mile", made several talking short subjects for Vitaphone and four unsuccessful screen tests for major studios

Feature film acting debut in "Up the River"

Signed by Fox Pictures for a five-year contract

Joined MGM until contract terminated in 1956

First actor to win two Academy Awards as "Best Actor" in succession

First screen pairing with Katharine Hepburn in "Woman of the Year"

Returned to Broadway stage in Robert Sherwood's "The Rugged Path"

Last film, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (Tracy died two weeks after production; awarded posthumous Oscar nomination)