Who was Bob Hope? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Leslie Townes Hope

Died At Age: 100

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Dolores Hope (m. 1934–2003), Grace Louise Troxell (m. 1933–1934)

father: William Henry Hope

mother: Avis Townes Hope

siblings: Jack Hope

children: Anthony J. Hope, Eleanora Hope, Linda Hope, William Kelly Francis Hope

Born Country: United States

Actors Stand-up Comedians

Died on: July 27, 2003

place of death: Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, California, United States

City: London, England

Cause of Death: Pneumonia

Ancestry: British American

Recommended For You

1

What were Bob Hope's most famous movies?

Some of Bob Hope's most famous movies include "Road to Singapore," "The Paleface," and "The Ghost Breakers."
2

Did Bob Hope serve in the military?

Yes, Bob Hope dedicated much of his career to entertaining the troops during World War II and the Vietnam War.
3

How did Bob Hope contribute to charity?

Bob Hope was a noted philanthropist who supported various charities, including the United Service Organizations (USO) and the Bob Hope Foundation.
4

What was Bob Hope's impact on comedy?

Bob Hope is considered a pioneer in comedy and is credited with influencing generations of comedians with his unique style and humor.

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Childhood & Early Life

Leslie Townes Hope was born in Eltham, a district in South East London to William Henry Hope, a sculpture and stone craftsman and Avis Townes, a light opera singer.

In 1908, his family moved to the United States and settled down in Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended the Boys Industrial School.

By the age of 12, he started earning his pocket money by singing, dancing, and performing comedy and he also won a prize for his impersonation of comic legend Charlie Chaplin.

As a teenager, he worked as a lineman and a butcher’s assistant and continued to work until his early twenties, while he simultaneously attended dance classes with his girlfriend, Millie Rosequist.

In 1925, along with girlfriend, Millie Rosequist, he became a part of a touring dance troupe called ‘Hurley's Jolly Follies’.

He founded the comedic dance-and-act group ‘Dancemedians’ with George Byrne and the Hilton Sisters.

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Career

In 1933, he played the role of ‘Huckleberry Haines’ in the Broadway show ‘Roberta’ that opened at the New Amsterdam Theater, New York.

In 1934, after he had signed a six year contract with Educational Pictures, New York, he starred in the short comedy film ‘Going Spanish’.

In 1937, he became a part of the regular NBC radio series ‘Woodbury Soap Hour’ after which he starred in the popular radio program ‘The Pepsodent Show’.

In 1938, he moved to Hollywood, after he signed the film ‘The Big Broadcast of 1938’ with Paramount Pictures. The movie featured the song ‘Thanks for the Memory’, a line that became his trademark signature tune later.

He also appeared in movies like ‘Comedy Swing’, ‘Give Me a Sailor’, ‘Thanks for the Memory’, ‘Never Say Die’, ‘Some Like It Hot’ and ‘The Cat and the Canary’.

In 1940, he starred in the box office hit ‘Road to Singapore’, a film that launched his career in the movies.

In 1947, he played the role of ‘Ronnie Jackson’ in the comedy film ‘My Favorite Brunette’, directed by Elliott Nugent.

In 1948, he starred in the Western comedy film ‘The Paleface’, directed by Norman Z. McLeod.

From 1950, he hosted and appeared in many NBC television programmes like ‘The Star-Spangled Revue’, ‘The Bob Hope Show’ and ‘I Love Lucy’.

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From 1963 to 1967, he hosted the popular award winning NBC anthology series ‘Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater’.

From 1970 to 1971, he did special Christmas programmes for the NBC network. These programmes were filmed in Vietnam in front of military audiences at the height of the war.

In 1972, he made his last appearance in the movies with the poorly received film ‘Cancel My Reservation’.

Major Works

The popular song ‘Thanks for the Memory’, for which he gave the vocals won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and became his signature tune, which he adapted for future projects.

His 1970 and 1971 Christmas specials for NBC filmed in Vietnam are on the list of the ‘Top 30 U.S. Network Prime time Telecasts of All Time’. The shows were watched by more than 60 per cent of the U.S. households.

Awards & Achievements

In 1941, he received the Academy Honorary Award ‘in recognition of his unselfish services to the motion picture industry’.

In 1945, he received the Academy Honorary Award ‘for his many services to the Academy’.

In 1953, he received the Academy Honorary Award ‘for his contribution to the laughter of the world, his service to the motion picture industry, and his devotion to the American premise’.

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In 1958, he received the Special Golden Globe Award for the category of ‘An Ambassador of Goodwill’.

At the 1960 Academy Awards he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

In 1963, he was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Award ceremony.

In 1963, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by then-President John F. Kennedy for ‘service to his country’.

In 1966, he received the Academy Honorary Award ‘for unique and distinguished service to our industry and the Academy’.

In 1966, he received the Primetime Emmy Award for the category of ‘Outstanding Variety Special’ for ‘Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater’.

On June 10, 1980, he was conferred the United States Air Force Order of the Sword, he is the only civilian to receive this honor.

Personal Life & Legacy

He was a boxer for a brief period, after which he also played golf.

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In 1933, he married Grace Louise Troxell, his vaudeville partner and the couple divorced in 1934.

In 1934, he married Dolores Reade and the couple adopted four children. They remained together until his death.

In 2000, he was hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding and the following year he suffered from pneumonia.

He was the chairman of ‘Fight For Sight’, a non-profit organization that funds medical research in vision and ophthalmology.

He died at the age of 100 at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles and he was laid to rest at the Memorial Garden at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Los Angeles.

In 1997, ‘USNS Bob Hope’, the U.S. Military Sealift Command was named in his honor.

The Bob Hope Classic, a professional golf tournament played annually in California was named in his honor.

Facts About Bob Hope

He was an accomplished golfer and played in numerous celebrity tournaments, even being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Bob Hope was a philanthropist who dedicated much of his time and resources to supporting the USO and entertaining troops during World War II and subsequent conflicts.

He holds the record for the most times hosting the Academy Awards ceremony, having done so a total of 19 times.

Bob Hope was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 for his contributions to comedy and his service to the country through his USO tours.

1985	All-Time Favorite Entertainer	Winner
1978	Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer	Winner
1977	Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer	Winner
1976	Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer	Winner
1975	Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer	Winner

Bob Hope Biography

You wanted to know

What were Bob Hope's most famous movies?

Did Bob Hope serve in the military?

How did Bob Hope contribute to charity?

What was Bob Hope's impact on comedy?