He was born of English and Welsh ancestry. When his father naturalized his name, this young boy and his seven brothers became US citizens. During childhood and younger years, this young man’s jobs included delivery boy, soda jerk, pool hustler, dancer, singer, radio announcer, and amateur boxer, nothing too spectacular. The beginning of his full century on earth was fairly ordinary, but did not end at all in the manner it had begun on May 29, 1903.
His life spanned from his first impersonation of Charlie Chaplin given in 1909 in front of a Cleveland firehouse to celebrating an unprecedented 60 years with NBC, and onward to reach a full century of genuine enjoyment sharing humor by visiting our military throughout the world. He entertained millions with his unforgettable smiles and jokes and was honored by men holding the highest office in the land since President Franklin Roosevelt.
No. Five of Seven Sons
Leslie Townes Hope, known to the world as Bob Hope, was born in Etham, England. His English father, William Henry Hope, was a stonemason. His Welsh mother, Avis Tonnes Hope, an aspiring concert singer. When the boy was young, the family moved to Cleveland. Along with other jobs, he once took dancing lessons from King Rastus Brown and was a vaudeville hoofer with Johnny Root. Eighteen years of age, he once tried to persuade Mildred Rosequist, his dancing partner at the time, to accompany him on the road. It might have worked if Mildred’s mother hadn’t found out about the plan.
Hitting the Road
In partnership with his friend, Lloyd Durbin, both were hired by Bandbox Theater as an act for the Fatty Arbuckle Show. The Hope youth had set out to seek his fortune. One year later he joined with George Byrne for 4 tab shows. After polishing the act expertly, the two were playing major houses including Keith’s Flushing in New York City. They assured themselves they were on their way and were finally chosen for the Broadway show, Sidewalks of New York starring Ruby Keeler and Smith and Dale. The show lasted, but Hope and Byrne didn’t. They headed west to change the act and start over.
Going ‘Solo’
Securing a 3-day date in a tiny theater in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Bob served in the beginning as the announcer, and then enlarged his routine to 5 minutes. Bob had gone ‘solo’. His first big recognition was in 1933 for the Broadway musical, ‘Roberta’. He was introduced to Delores Reade, then appearing at the Vogue Club. After a brief courtship, the couple married on February of 1934.
On His Way to the Top
He starred in “Say When” and “Ziegfield Follies” with Fanny Brice, and then “Red, Hot, and Blue” with Ethel Merman & Jimmy Durante. This production opened the door to the 1st major film for Paramount Pictures “The Big Broadcast of 1938.” Capital Family Hour was his next milestone as it was a chance to appear with Bing Crosby. Then, ‘Fleishmann Hour’ with Rudy Vallee in May of 1937 for a 26-week radio contract. In 1938, he was signed by Pepsodent for his own show. He did his last radio show in April of 1956.
At the Top of the Heap
He liked his progress as he spent time with the likes of Jerry Colonna, Brenda and Cobina Wright, Jr., Six Hits and a Miss, Les Brown & His Band of Renown, Wendell Niles, Judy Garland, Frances Langford, Doris Day, and Gloria Jean. He never won an Oscar, but has won 2 Honorary Oscars, 2 Special Awards, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
He Wore the Crown of Laughter and the World Loved Him
The awards, honors, and adulation did not end until the completion of his 100 years. With the making of the ‘Road Pictures’ with Dorothy Lamour, film history was made. He has 50 feature films to his credit, and cameos in another 15. He introduced 2 Academy Award-winning Songs, “Thanks for the Memory” of 1938 and “Buttons and Bows” of 1948.
For 60 years in radio and TV, Bob was an NBC headliner and the ‘Nielson Ratings King’. He was hailed as “America’s most prized ambassador of goodwill throughout the world when given the Congressional Gold Medal by President Kennedy. Additionally, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Johnson. President and Mrs. Carter hosted a reception for his 75th birthday celebration. President Harry Truman once played the piano for him, and President Bill Clinton gave him the Medal of the Arts.
Ultimate Sports Fan
Proving his love for football, he once owned part of the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Rams. Golf is his favorite game as participant, spectator, and author of Confessions of a Hooker which gives the reader memorable moments of 50 years of golfing. It stayed on the New York Best Seller List for 53 weeks. He has played on close to 2,000 courses from Brazil to Australia to Bangkok to Alaska. His PGA Medal honors him as ‘one of the three men who have done the most for golf’. His Silver Cup from Sports Illustrated commemorates his fifth hole-in-one made at Butler National Golf Course in Oak Brook, Illinois, and since then 2 more at courses in Palm Springs.
The World Golf Hall of Fame has a relief of his profile with a plaque stating... ‘BOB HOPE-known by his nose, applauded for his humor, envied for his wit, and loved by millions for his unselfish concern for all beings.’ He has hosted the Bob Hope/Chrysler Classic (now in its 44th year) and raised over 35M dollars for the Eisenhower Medical Center and 70 other deserving desert charities.
His Greatest Legacy
In 1994, “First 90 Years” a tribute for him produced by daughter, Linda Hope, won an Emmy. In May of 1997 the USNS Bob Hope was christened. In October of 1997, Bob Hope was made an “Honorary Veteran’ celebrated by congress, military personnel, and veterans. One month later the US Air Force dedicated a new C-17 in his name. The Order of Horatio Gates Gold Medal was given to Bob Hope for lifelong contributions toward maintaining high morale of soldiers around the world. This is the first time the US has ever done this. Bob Hope made an appearance in his native England commemorating the end of WWII. In 1998 Queen Elizabeth II presented him with the honorary knighthood, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of contributions to film, to song, and to the entertainment of troops in the past. And, in May of 2000, The BH Gallery of American Entertainment opened in Washington, D.C. at the Library of Congress. On his 99th birthday, The Chapel at the Los Angeles National Cemetery was named The Bob Hope Veterans Chapel. The world loved this special individual who will live in our country's memory forever. His 100 years as a comedian, entertainer extraordinare, and enthusiastic sports fan is a century of good times, smiles, and laughter.
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