Bob Hope
May 29, 1903 — July 27, 2003
Bob Hope was a British-born American comedian, actor, singer, dancer, and author whose nearly 80-year career in vaudeville, radio, film, and television made him one of the most beloved entertainers in American history — and whose decades of performing for U.S. troops overseas cemented a bond with the military unlike any other celebrity in the 20th century.
From Eltham to Vaudeville
Born Leslie Townes Hope on May 29, 1903 in Eltham, England, he emigrated with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, at age four. He left school early, worked as a newsboy and a boxer, and found his calling in vaudeville, initially as a dancer and later as a comedian. He changed his name to Bob Hope, claiming it was more American and easier to remember. By the 1930s he was performing on Broadway and making a name as a wisecracking, self-deprecating comedian with impeccable timing. NBC brought him to national radio in 1938 with The Bob Hope Show, and his rapid-fire topical humor and celebrity guests made it one of the most popular programs in the country for over two decades.
Road to Hollywood and Bing Crosby
His film career flourished at Paramount Pictures, where he starred in 54 feature films. Most beloved were the seven Road to films he made with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, beginning with Road to Singapore (1940). The series was marked by wonderful comic chemistry between Hope and Crosby, constant fourth-wall breaking, and improvisational banter. Road to Morocco (1942) is often considered the comic peak of the series. Hope also showed dramatic range in films like The Paleface (1948) and his Oscar-nominated performance prep in Beau James (1957).
Did You Know?
Bob Hope performed for American troops at Christmas every year from 1941 to 1991 — a span of 50 years that took him to every major conflict zone from World War II to the Gulf War. He estimates he performed for over 11 million service members in that time. Congress passed a special law in 1997 naming him an "Honorary Veteran," and the Department of Defense named him "the first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces." He holds the record for the most honorary doctorates of any entertainer: 54.
The USO and a Century of Service
Hope began performing for troops during World War II when he visited military bases stateside and soon extended his Christmas shows to theaters of war across the Pacific and Europe. The tradition continued through Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, and the Persian Gulf — the last tour he led himself was for troops in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield in 1990 at age 87. At home, Hope was a fixture at the Academy Awards, hosting the ceremony 18 times between 1940 and 1978, more than anyone else in history. He received five honorary Academy Awards over his career. Bob Hope reached his 100th birthday on May 29, 2003, and died 59 days later on July 27. He was buried with full military honors. His estate donated his personal archive of scripts, correspondence, and films to the Library of Congress.