Facts about Bob Hope

Bob Hope died at 100 years old
Born: May 29, 1903
Birthplace: Eltham, England
Best known as: Master comedian and Bing Crosby's movie co-star

     

     

Bob Hope Biography

Name at birth: Leslie Townes Hope

Bob Hope was a triple-threat superstar of radio, film and television for decades, from the 1930s through the 1990s. His popularity hit its peak during World War II and the early post-war years.

A jovial and upbeat comedian, Bob Hope also acted, sang and danced a little, hosted his own radio and television shows, and carried on a famous comic feud with his friend and fellow star, crooner Bing Crosby. In his comedy act, Hope was sly and sophisticated; onscreen he played a series of comical cowards, con men and lotharios. His pointed “ski slope” nose was his physical signature and the topic of frequent jokes from collaborators.

Bob Hope spent much of World War II traveling the world to entertain Allied troops, a service he also performed with gusto during later wars in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. His entertain-the-troops tours became one of his best-known career activities.

Though his superstar years ended in the 1960s, Bob Hope continued to make appearances well into the 1990s. In May of 2003 he celebrated his 100th birthday with a typical wisecrack: “I’m so old they’ve canceled my blood type.” He died a few months later, in July 2003.

Extra credit

Bob Hope never won an Oscar for a film performance, but received five honorary Academy Awards for his contributions to the motion picture industry… He was a frequent host of the annual Academy Award ceremonies… Bob Hope’s love of golf was famous, and his annual golf tournament, the Bob Hope Desert Classic, became a regular stop on the PGA Tour… Bob Hope was born in England but was raised in Cleveland, Ohio after his family moved there when Hope was four years old… Bob Hope married Dolores Reade in 1934, and they remained married until his death in 2003; the couple adopted four children: Linda, Anthony, Honora (called Nora), and William Kelly… Bob Hope’s theme song was “Thanks For the Memory”; the tune came from his first feature film, The Big Broadcast of 1938.


     

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