Hope, Bob

(1903-2003)

   Famous actor and comedian Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in England. His family immigrated to the United States in 1907 and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Hope found a variety of casual jobs after leaving high school but turned to performing in vaudeville in 1921. He formed various partnerships and appeared on Broadway before he went solo and took the name “Bob” in 1928. He appeared in Ballyhoo on Broadway in 1932 and had success with the musical Roberta in 1933. He went on to appear in Say When in 1934 and in the Ziegfeld Follies in 1936. Hope’s first major film appearance was in The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938), which included the song that was to become his trademark, “Thanks for the Memories.” In 1940 Hope appeared in the first of the successful series of comedy films with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, The Road to Singapore. He went on to star in more than 50 films, including Lemon Drop Hit (1951), which included the hit song with Marilyn Maxwell, “Silver Bells.” The Road to Hong Kong (1962) was his last Road series film, but he also appeared in The Muppet Movie (1979) and Spies Like Us (1985). Hope received two honorary awards from the Film Academy, including a Lifetime Achievement in Award in 1965.

   Hope’s radio career lasted from 1937 through 1956. He also made more than 500 television appearances, beginning with his first major appearance in 1950. Hope was also famous for his role in United Service Organizations shows to entertain U.S. troops overseas. He began the performances in 1941, and from 1943 onward many of his radio broadcasts came from military bases. Beginning in 1943 he toured installations in Great Britain, Africa, and Sicily. In 1948, Hope gave the first of many Christmas shows for troops when he performed in Berlin. His contribution was recognized when Congress made him an Honorary Veteran in 1997. In 1998, Queen Elizabeth gave Hope, who became a U.S. citizen in 1920, an honorary knighthood.

   See also Cinema.