Bob Hope

Known for ActingBorn 1903-05-29Died 2003-07-27Eltham, London, England, UK

Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, and entertainer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films — 54 in which he starred. These included a series of seven Road to... musical comedy films with Bing Crosby as Hope's top-billed partner. In addition to hosting the Academy Awards show 19 times, more than any other host, Hope 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. After a brief stint in the late 1910s as a boxer, Hope began his career in show business in the early 1920s, initially as a comedian and dancer on the vaudeville circuit, before acting on Broadway. Hope 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. He helped establish modern American stand-up comedy. Between 1941 and 1991, Hope made 57 tours for the United Service Organizations (USO), entertaining active duty U.S. military personnel around the world. In 1997, the United States Congress passed a bill that made Hope an honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. Hope appeared in numerous television specials for NBC during his career and was one of the first users of cue cards. Hope retired from public life in 1998 and died on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100.Read more

Movies & web series

The Best of Carson, Volume 1

Christmas in Hollywood

Bob Hope's Super Bowl Party!

A Masterpiece of Murder

Showbiz Goes to War

Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny

A Tribute to Dr. Shock

Raquel!

A Bob Hope Comedy Special

Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 4

Rat Pack

Bob Hope and the Road to Success

Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults

People's Choice Awards

Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy

Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special

The Jim Henson Hour

Mickey's 50

Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino

Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

Bob Hope's USO Christmas in Beirut

Judy Garland: By Myself

Soup for Nuts

Bob Hope: Laughing With the Presidents

A Century of Cinema

Cinépanorama

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic

This Is Bob Hope...

O.J.: Made in America

The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind

Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter

Buñuel in Hollywood

Vaudeville

Sally

Radio Star - Die AFN-Story

Bob Hope's Bag Full of Christmas Memories

Murderers, Mobsters, & Madmen: Volume 6: Hollywood Police Files

The Simpsons

Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration

George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business

Liberation

Derby Fever USA

The Muppet Show

The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World

The Great Radio Comedians

Edith Head: The Paramount Years

The Bob Hope Christmas Special: Around the World with the USO

Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy