To celebrate Bob Hope’s birthday, we are diving into his many career ventures. This incredible actor, comedian, and author lived to be 100 years old! While he passed away on July 27, 2003, his legacy continues to live. Click through the slideshow to learn more about Bob Hope.
About Bob Hope
Bob Hope was born on May 29, 1903, in Eltham, London, England, to a stonemason father and a light opera-singing mother. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1908, settling in Ohio. Bob Hope was talented from a young age. He was known to perform comedy and dance for money on the street and even won a few entertainment competitions. Before beginning his acting and comedic career, Hope was a boxer, although only for a short time. He also worked as a lineman and a butcher’s assistant.
Early Theater Career
Before Bob Hope became a movie legend, he performed in theater shows. Some of his first theater shows with a larger role were, “Roberta,” “Red, Hot and Blue,” and “Say When.”
Big Pictures
Bob Hope worked on both short comedies and bigger pictures. His true film career though started when he moved to Hollywood when Paramount Pictures signed him for “The Big Broadcast of 1938.” Quickly, he grew in fame starring in countless other films like:
- “Road to Singapore” (1940)
- “Star Spangled Rhythm” (1942)
- “Sorrowful Jones” (1949)
- “Here Come the Girls” (1953)
- “Eight on the Lam” (1967)
Bob Hope’s Many Television Specials
When he wasn’t filming movies or comedic/musical shorts, Bob Hope was starring in television specials and guest-starring in shows. This incredible comedian managed to host 272 NBC variety specials from 1950 to 1996. Talk about a long career!
Accolades and Honors
As you can only imagine, Bob Hope won a long list of acting awards and honors in his over 70 years in the industry. This included awards like the Recipient of the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1961, four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1963.
Academy Awards Host
Another one of Bob Hope’s ventures was as an Academy Awards host. He hosted the Academy Awards a total of 19 times between 1939 and 1977. While he never won an Oscar, he was given honorary awards and would make jokes throughout the ceremonies.
Author Career
Can you believe Bob Hope was also an author? He authored about 14 books, including “The Road to Hollywood: My 40-Year Love Affair with the Movies” and “Bob Hope’s Confessions of a Hooker: My Lifelong Love Affair with Golf.”
Comedian
Bob Hope is known for many things, but what he really excelled at was comedy. He was practically one of the pioneers of stand-up comedy, providing hilarious sketches and one-liners to millions of fans. He also frequently told self-deprecating jokes in a rapid-fire way.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Dave McLeod, U.S. Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.