When I started out, I didn't have any desire to be an actress or to learn how to act. I just wanted to be famous.

She remained active into old age making her final screen appearance in 1994 at the age of 87. Selznick recounted that he took a "tremendous chance" in casting the unusual actress. Little Women was one of Hepburn's personal favorites and Katharine Hepburn was proud of her performance later saying "I defy anyone to be as good as I was [as Jo]".

After four years in the theatre favorable reviews of her work on Broadway brought her to the attention of Hollywood. Her early years in the film industry were marked with success including an Academy Award for her third picture Morning Glory (1933) but this was followed by a series of commercial failures. Known for her headstrong independence and spirited personality Hepburn's career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned more than 60 years.