Bob Hope was a great comedian and actor from the mid 1920’s until his death in 2003. Bob hope was one of the most honored entertainers in entertainment history; he is most remembered for the free shows he put on for American soldiers. 

Bob Hope was born on May 29, 1903, at 44 Craigton Road, Eltham, England. His name was Leslie Townes Hope. His father, William Henry Hope, was a stone mason, and his mother, Avis Townes Hope, was a former concert singer. Hope was number five out of seven sons. When he was four his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he, his father and six brothers became U.S. citizens in December of 1920.

        Hope had his first taste of show business in 1915 when he won a Charlie Chaplin imitation contest.

        Hope worked as a delivery boy, a salesman and a soda fountain clerk, throughout his years at East High. After high school he went to work for a motor car company. He was also an Amateur boxer under the name of “Packy East,” and he worked as a newspaper reporter temporarily. He eventually earned enough money to take dancing lessons, and in 1922 he took over one of the classes for one of his teachers. He got his first professional stage appearance in a Fatty Arbuckle Show with George Byrne. He soon dedicated himself to Vaudeville, and in the late 20’s he paired with Lloyd “Lefty” Durbin, George Byrne, and Louise Troxell.

      Hope toured Vaudeville along with Right, and George Byrne from 1925 to 1927. They began as a dance act and later expanded to include songs and comedy. He took the stage name “Bob” in 1928 because while he was in school they called him Hope, Leslie on the roll call and kids shortened it to hopeless. He also developed his wisecracking technique during these years; moreover, his performances led to parts on Broadway.

        During the run of the show “Roberta” in 1933 he met night club singer Dolores Read. They were married on February 19, 1934, and later they adopted Linda, Anthony, Kelly, and Nora.

        Hope made it to the silver screen with “The Big Broadcast of 1938.” He teamed with Shirley Ross in the Oscar winning song “Thanks for the memory”; subsequently, the song became a signature theme for Hope.

        In 1950 Hope signed a deal with NBC which lead him into 40 some years of TV specials. The 1950’s also marked an image change. He attempted a strait dramatic role in “The Seven Little Foys”, and in 1955 his image changed from an “aging girl chaser”.

        In 1957 Hope made enough money to become his own producer. However, in the 1960’s his movie career had a downturn which it never fully recovered. His fans assumed he became too distracted with his various commitments to focus on movies and Hollywood.

        In his later career Hope spoke to new generations of television viewers through his Christmas specials with song, dance and comedy on NBC. Hope also became one of America’s favorite amateur golfers. Each year he would host the tournament, which is now called the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Furthermore in 1999 he and Dolores became the first to start the official lighting of the Christmas tree in Disney land.

        Hope retired from the United Service Organization (USO) which he served from 1941 to 2001 at age 98 in favor of Wayne Newton.

        Bob Hope died in 2003 at age 100. He had appeared in more than 75 films, played in more than 475 TV programs and 1,000 plus radio programs. He had toured vigorously for the U.S. armed forces. He received countless honorary degrees and awards, and wrote a dozen books. He had a theatre in London, and a theatre in California named after him.  In addition, he had a C-17 and a ship named after him. He entertained 11 different presidents beginning with Franklin D. Roosevelt and ending with Bill Clinton. He hosted the Oscars 18 times, and he holds the record for Hollywood’s longest marriage with 69 years.