Bob Hope

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

278

Gender

Male

Birthday

1903-05-29

Day of death

2003-07-27 (100 years old)

Place of Birth

Eltham, London, England, UK

Bob Hope

Biography

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.

Known For

  • The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

  • The Mike Douglas Show

    The Mike Douglas Show

  • The Mike Douglas Show

    The Mike Douglas Show

  • Golden Globe Awards

    Golden Globe Awards

  • Tony Awards

    Tony Awards

  • Forrest Gump

    Forrest Gump

  • Great Performances

    Great Performances

  • Get Smart

    Get Smart

  • The Golden Girls

    The Golden Girls

  • Late Night with David Letterman

    Late Night with David Letterman

  • The Merv Griffin Show

    The Merv Griffin Show

  • I Love Lucy

    I Love Lucy

  • The Carol Burnett Show

    The Carol Burnett Show

  • The Carol Burnett Show

    The Carol Burnett Show

  • Highway to Heaven

    Highway to Heaven

  • The Dick Cavett Show

    The Dick Cavett Show

  • The Red Skelton Show

    The Red Skelton Show

  • Dinah!

    Dinah!

  • The Lucy Show

    The Lucy Show

  • Pebble Mill

    Pebble Mill

  • What's My Line?

    What's My Line?

  • The Steve Allen Show

    The Steve Allen Show

  • The Bob Hope Show

    The Bob Hope Show

  • The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1

    The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1

  • The Oscars

    The Oscars

  • The Ed Sullivan Show

    The Ed Sullivan Show

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

    Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

  • The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2

    The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2

  • The Colgate Comedy Hour

    The Colgate Comedy Hour

  • The Colgate Comedy Hour

    The Colgate Comedy Hour

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

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

  • Murder at N.B.C.

    Murder at N.B.C.

  • The Jack Benny Program

    The Jack Benny Program

  • The Jack Benny Program

    The Jack Benny Program

  • The Jack Benny Program

    The Jack Benny Program

  • How to Commit Marriage

    How to Commit Marriage

  • Kraft Music Hall

    Kraft Music Hall

  • Tonight Starring Jack Paar

    Tonight Starring Jack Paar

  • The Muppet Show

    The Muppet Show

  • Cinépanorama

    Cinépanorama

  • The Kennedy Center Honors

    The Kennedy Center Honors

  • Midi trente

    Midi trente

  • NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney

    NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney

  • Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

    Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

  • Donny & Marie

    Donny & Marie

  • Lux Video Theatre

    Lux Video Theatre

  • Lux Video Theatre

    Lux Video Theatre

  • Going Spanish

    Going Spanish

  • The Oscar

    The Oscar

  • The Dick Clark Show

    The Dick Clark Show

  • The Cat and the Canary

    The Cat and the Canary

  • The Thin Man

    The Thin Man

  • Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC

    Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC

  • Spies Like Us

    Spies Like Us

  • Screen Actors

    Screen Actors

  • The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special

    The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special

  • V.I.P. Schaukel

    V.I.P. Schaukel

  • Screen Director's Playhouse

    Screen Director's Playhouse

  • All Star Party for Clint Eastwood

    All Star Party for Clint Eastwood

  • The Big Broadcast of 1938

    The Big Broadcast of 1938

  • The Hollywood Palace

    The Hollywood Palace

  • Sally

    Sally

  • Beau James

    Beau James

  • Fancy Pants

    Fancy Pants

  • The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

    The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

  • Louisiana Purchase

    Louisiana Purchase

  • Joys

    Joys

  • The Paleface

    The Paleface

  • The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour

    The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour

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

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

  • College Swing

    College Swing

  • Off Limits

    Off Limits

  • Variety Girl

    Variety Girl

  • Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration

    Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration

  • Roberta

    Roberta

  • George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business

    George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business

  • Rat Pack

    Rat Pack

  • The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World

    The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World

  • Monsieur Beaucaire

    Monsieur Beaucaire

  • Paris Holiday

    Paris Holiday

  • Story of G.I. Joe

    Story of G.I. Joe

  • The Muppet Movie

    The Muppet Movie

  • O.J.: Made in America

    O.J.: Made in America

  • The Captain and Tennille

    The Captain and Tennille

  • Startime

    Startime

  • You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

    You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

  • The Johnny Cash Show

    The Johnny Cash Show

  • Boulevard! A Hollywood Story

    Boulevard! A Hollywood Story

  • Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters

    Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters

  • The Greatest Show on Earth

    The Greatest Show on Earth

  • Hearts and Minds

    Hearts and Minds

  • Shop Talk

    Shop Talk

  • Mickey's 50

    Mickey's 50

  • Scared Stiff

    Scared Stiff

  • Eight on the Lam

    Eight on the Lam

  • The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team

    The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team

  • Nothing But the Truth

    Nothing But the Truth

  • Entertaining the Troops: Bob Hope & the USO

    Entertaining the Troops: Bob Hope & the USO

  • Road to Zanzibar

    Road to Zanzibar

  • The Wonderful World of Disney

    The Wonderful World of Disney

  • Liberation

    Liberation

  • The Princess and the Pirate

    The Princess and the Pirate

  • Road to Singapore

    Road to Singapore

  • Give Me a Sailor

    Give Me a Sailor

  • The Barbara McNair Show

    The Barbara McNair Show

  • The Pruitts of Southampton

    The Pruitts of Southampton

  • The Sound of Laughter

    The Sound of Laughter

  • Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers

    Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers

  • The Jim Henson Hour

    The Jim Henson Hour

  • A Global Affair

    A Global Affair

  • James Bond: The First 21 Years

    James Bond: The First 21 Years

  • Lucy Moves to NBC

    Lucy Moves to NBC

  • Mitzi & 100 Guys

    Mitzi & 100 Guys

  • Pat Boone and Family: A Thanksgiving Special

    Pat Boone and Family: A Thanksgiving Special

  • The Great Lover

    The Great Lover

  • Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino

    Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino

  • Road to Morocco

    Road to Morocco

  • The Ghost Breakers

    The Ghost Breakers

  • Alias Jesse James

    Alias Jesse James

  • Miss Piggy's Hollywood

    Miss Piggy's Hollywood

  • Playing Fields Association: Cricket

    Playing Fields Association: Cricket

  • Never Say Die

    Never Say Die

  • Road to Rio

    Road to Rio

  • My Favorite Spy

    My Favorite Spy

  • Call Me Bwana

    Call Me Bwana

  • The All-Star Bond Rally

    The All-Star Bond Rally

  • The Lemon Drop Kid

    The Lemon Drop Kid

  • Los Angeles Plays Itself

    Los Angeles Plays Itself

  • 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year

    1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year

  • The Iron Petticoat

    The Iron Petticoat

  • The Old Grey Mayor

    The Old Grey Mayor

  • A Tribute to Dr. Shock

    A Tribute to Dr. Shock

  • The Dean Martin Christmas Show

    The Dean Martin Christmas Show

  • Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

    Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

  • Is Everybody Listening?

    Is Everybody Listening?

  • Calling All Tars

    Calling All Tars

  • The Facts of Life

    The Facts of Life

  • Swing Out, Sweet Land

    Swing Out, Sweet Land

  • Showbiz Goes to War

    Showbiz Goes to War

  • Bachelor in Paradise

    Bachelor in Paradise

  • Some of Manie's Friends

    Some of Manie's Friends

  • Cancel My Reservation

    Cancel My Reservation

  • The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender

    The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender

  • They Got Me Covered

    They Got Me Covered

  • The Great Radio Comedians

    The Great Radio Comedians

  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

    Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

  • This Is Bob Hope...

    This Is Bob Hope...

  • Hedda Hopper's Hollywood

    Hedda Hopper's Hollywood

  • Legendary Christmas Entertainers

    Legendary Christmas Entertainers

  • Not With My Wife, You Don't!

    Not With My Wife, You Don't!

  • The Seven Little Foys

    The Seven Little Foys

  • That Certain Feeling

    That Certain Feeling

  • Showdown at Ulcer Gulch

    Showdown at Ulcer Gulch

  • Bob Hope's Four-Star Christmas Fiesta from San Antonio

    Bob Hope's Four-Star Christmas Fiesta from San Antonio

  • A Century of Cinema

    A Century of Cinema

  • Hollywood: The Dream Factory

    Hollywood: The Dream Factory

  • Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special

    Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special

  • Let's Face It

    Let's Face It

  • The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour

    The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour

  • Road to Utopia

    Road to Utopia

  • Bing Crosby: Rediscovered

    Bing Crosby: Rediscovered

  • Festival at Ford's

    Festival at Ford's

  • Hollywood Musicals of the 40's

    Hollywood Musicals of the 40's

  • Shanks for the Memory

    Shanks for the Memory

  • Judy Garland: By Myself

    Judy Garland: By Myself

  • Caught in the Draft

    Caught in the Draft

  • Thanks for the Memory

    Thanks for the Memory

  • Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!

    Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!

  • The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell

    The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell

  • Frank Sinatra Show

    Frank Sinatra Show

  • TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

    TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

  • The Road to Hong Kong

    The Road to Hong Kong

  • Paree, Paree

    Paree, Paree

  • The DuPont Show of the Week

    The DuPont Show of the Week

  • Bob Hope Comedy Special

    Bob Hope Comedy Special

  • CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years

    CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years

  • A Welcome to Britain

    A Welcome to Britain

  • That's Entertainment! III

    That's Entertainment! III

  • That Little Monster

    That Little Monster

  • Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television

    Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television

  • Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 4

    Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 4

  • Star Spangled Rhythm

    Star Spangled Rhythm

  • Buñuel in Hollywood

    Buñuel in Hollywood

  • Christmas in Hollywood

    Christmas in Hollywood

  • The Bing Crosby Show

    The Bing Crosby Show

  • Bob Hope: Laughing With the Presidents

    Bob Hope: Laughing With the Presidents

  • Ann-Margret: When You're Smiling

    Ann-Margret: When You're Smiling

  • Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer

    Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer

  • Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

    Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

  • Ann-Margret: Rhinestone Cowgirl

    Ann-Margret: Rhinestone Cowgirl

  • Raquel!

    Raquel!

  • Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy

    Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy

  • The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

    The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

  • Cavalcade of the Academy Awards

    Cavalcade of the Academy Awards

  • Where There's Life

    Where There's Life

  • Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy

    Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy

  • Critic's Choice

    Critic's Choice

  • Here Come the Girls

    Here Come the Girls

  • Treffpunkte

    Treffpunkte

  • Road to Home

    Road to Home

  • A Love Letter to Jack Benny

    A Love Letter to Jack Benny

  • Project XX

    Project XX

  • Bob Hope's Comedy Christmas Special

    Bob Hope's Comedy Christmas Special

  • The Best of Johnny Carson

    The Best of Johnny Carson

  • The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind

    The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind

  • Bob Hope: Entertaining the Troops

    Bob Hope: Entertaining the Troops

  • My Favorite Blonde

    My Favorite Blonde

  • Today: While You Were Away (1964-1973 Retrospective)

    Today: While You Were Away (1964-1973 Retrospective)

  • My Favorite Brunette

    My Favorite Brunette

  • I'll Take Sweden

    I'll Take Sweden

  • Casanova's Big Night

    Casanova's Big Night

  • Show-Business at War

    Show-Business at War

  • Howard

    Howard

  • Son of Paleface

    Son of Paleface

  • Television: The First Fifty Years

    Television: The First Fifty Years

  • Derby Fever USA

    Derby Fever USA

  • Dors: The Other Diana

    Dors: The Other Diana

  • Sorrowful Jones

    Sorrowful Jones

  • Bob Hope's Bicentennial Star Spangled Spectacular

    Bob Hope's Bicentennial Star Spangled Spectacular

  • The Shirley MacLaine Special: Where Do We Go from Here?

    The Shirley MacLaine Special: Where Do We Go from Here?

  • Hollywood Victory Caravan

    Hollywood Victory Caravan

  • A Bob Hope Comedy Special

    A Bob Hope Comedy Special

  • Road to Bali

    Road to Bali

  • The Hollywood Clowns

    The Hollywood Clowns

  • Let Poland Be Poland

    Let Poland Be Poland

  • The Jack Benny Hour

    The Jack Benny Hour

  • You Can Change The World

    You Can Change The World

  • Bing Crosby: The Television Specials Volume 2 – The Christmas Specials

    Bing Crosby: The Television Specials Volume 2 – The Christmas Specials

  • Some Like It Hot

    Some Like It Hot

  • Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny

    Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny

  • Watch the Birdie

    Watch the Birdie

  • Bob Hope Christmas Show

    Bob Hope Christmas Show

  • Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

    Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

  • The Bob Hope Chevy Show

    The Bob Hope Chevy Show

  • Rowan & Martin at the Movies

    Rowan & Martin at the Movies

  • Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special

    Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special

  • The Chevy Show

    The Chevy Show

  • Combat America

    Combat America

  • Kids' TV: The Surprising Story

    Kids' TV: The Surprising Story

  • Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show

    Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show

  • A Masterpiece of Murder

    A Masterpiece of Murder

  • Double Exposure

    Double Exposure

  • Lucy's Really Lost Moments

    Lucy's Really Lost Moments

  • Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer

    Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer

  • It's Ho-Ho Hope's Jolly Christmas Hour

    It's Ho-Ho Hope's Jolly Christmas Hour

  • Carnival Nights

    Carnival Nights

  • Pioneers of Primetime

    Pioneers of Primetime

  • Stars and Stripes: Hollywood and World War II

    Stars and Stripes: Hollywood and World War II

  • Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died

    Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died

  • Bob Hope and the Road to Success

    Bob Hope and the Road to Success

  • Leif

    Leif

  • Edith Head: The Paramount Years

    Edith Head: The Paramount Years

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

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

  • Strictly G.I.

    Strictly G.I.

  • Bob Hope: The Vietnam Years 1964-1972

    Bob Hope: The Vietnam Years 1964-1972

  • The 1974 Annual Las Vegas Entertainment Awards

    The 1974 Annual Las Vegas Entertainment Awards

  • Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter

    Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter

  • Classic Comedy Teams

    Classic Comedy Teams

  • The George Burns (Early) Early, Early Christmas Special

    The George Burns (Early) Early, Early Christmas Special

  • Just a Song and Dance

    Just a Song and Dance

  • The Bob Hope Christmas Special

    The Bob Hope Christmas Special

  • Bob Hope on the Road to China

    Bob Hope on the Road to China

  • Bob Hope's USO Christmas in Beirut

    Bob Hope's USO Christmas in Beirut

  • The All-Star Christmas Show

    The All-Star Christmas Show

  • Johnny Carson Celebrates Christmas

    Johnny Carson Celebrates Christmas

  • Memo for Joe

    Memo for Joe

  • The Best of Carson, Volume 1

    The Best of Carson, Volume 1

  • Honor America Day

    Honor America Day

  • Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia

    Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia

  • Bob Hope's Bag Full of Christmas Memories

    Bob Hope's Bag Full of Christmas Memories

  • Radio Star - Die AFN-Story

    Radio Star - Die AFN-Story

  • Bob's Busy Day

    Bob's Busy Day

  • Happy Birthday, Bob!

    Happy Birthday, Bob!

  • Project XX: The Story of Will Rogers

    Project XX: The Story of Will Rogers

  • Bob Hope's Super Bowl Party!

    Bob Hope's Super Bowl Party!

  • The Bob Hope Mardi Gras Special

    The Bob Hope Mardi Gras Special

  • Don't Hook Now

    Don't Hook Now