Bob Hope

American entertainer (1903–2003) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer, and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in burlesque, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared in more than 70 short and feature films, starring in 54. These included a series of seven Road to ... musical comedy films with long-time friend Bing Crosby as his partner.

Quick facts: Bob Hope, Born, Died, Resting place, National...
Bob Hope
Bob_Hope_1969_Publicity_Photo.jpg
Hope in a 1969 publicity photo
Born
Leslie Townes Hope

(1903-05-29)May 29, 1903
Eltham, London, England[1]
DiedJuly 27, 2003(2003-07-27) (aged 100)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeSan Fernando Mission Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Other names
  • Les Hope
  • Packy East
Occupations
Years active1924–1998
Spouses
  • Grace Louise Troxell
    (m. 1933; div. 1934)
  • (m. 1934)
Children4
RelativesJack Hope (brother)
AwardsFull list
Boxing career
Statistics
Weight(s)Super featherweight (128 lb)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Boxing record
Wins3
Losses1
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Websitebobhope.com
Signature
Bob_Hope_signature.svg
Close

Hope hosted the Academy Awards show 19 times, more than any other host. He also appeared in many stage productions and television roles and wrote 14 books. The song "Thanks for the Memory" was his signature tune.

Hope was born in the Eltham district of southeast London. He arrived in the United States with his family at the age of four, and grew up near Cleveland, Ohio. He became a boxer in the 1910s but moved into show business in the early 1920s, initially as a comedian and dancer on the vaudeville circuit before acting on Broadway. He began appearing on radio and in films starting in 1934. He was praised for his comedic timing, specializing in one-liners and rapid-fire delivery of jokes that were often self-deprecating.

Between 1941 and 1991, Hope made 57 tours for the United Service Organizations (USO), entertaining military personnel around the world. In 1997, Congress passed a bill that made him an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces.[2]

Hope retired from public life in 1998 and died in 2003, at 100.