Was Kate Mulgrew portraying Katharine Hepburn as Captain Janeway?

[fenwyk79]

I'm a huge fan of classic film so naturally I've seen all of Ms. Hepburn's films. One thing that always strikes me about Kate Mulgrew in her portrayal of Captain Janeway was how much she seemed to emulate the emotive behavior of Katharine Hepburn (from that same raspy Transatlantic accentuation to mannerisms). I've always considered her portrayal of Captain Janeway to basically be Kate Mulgrew acting as Katharine Hepburn as a Starfleet captain.

It's interesting to note that after 'Voyager' Kate actually portrayed Hepburn in a Broadway play called "Tea At Five" (the play is excellent and worth seeking out an audio or video copy, by the way) and absolutely nails it.

Hearing that Mulgrew is a tremendous fan of Hepburn basically solidifies for me that she was attempting to embody the late Ms. Hepburn in the role of Janeway.

Thoughts?

 

[2takesfrakes]

Captain Janeway's schoolmarm hairstyle may have been inspired by Katherine Hepburn - and does, actually, remind of her, a lot. But that's about as far as their connection seems to go.

 

[stardream]

Early on when Mulgrew did scenes in a particular kind of light she reminded me of Hepburn physically. I didn't notice it as much later on when her hairstyle changed.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

I don't believe she was trying to emulate Hepburn on Voyager.

If you've read any interviews with Mulgrew at the time the play debuted (Tea@5) you'll see that Kate's long been compared to Hepburn and resented same. IIRC she explained that every young actress wants to be thought of as unique and she never consciously copied Hepburn until she had to for that play. General physical resemblance to the older actress wasn't something she could control.

As for comparisons, in the OMNI Magazine, the first article I ever read about Voyager (prior to its debut) described Janeway as Hepburn in space because of the strong resemblance Mulgrew and her Midwestern cheekbones had to Hepburn's New England ones.

 

[trekyourself]

I think subconsciously in a work environment, regardless of the job, we emulate those who we think have been most successful whether we wish too or not. As a fan of Hepburn I'm sure she did. (And I can personally very much see some similarities in her acting mannerisms) it's kind of like young men trying to not emulate their fathers. Most of the time you find yourself at a point in your life where you seem more like them then you would have thought you'd end up being, even if you actively tried not to be.

 

[LJones41]

No, I don't agree with you.

 

[mos6507]

She just happens to look and sound a lot like her. She may resent the comparison but it's just her genes or whatever.