Leslie Townes " Bob " Hope May 29, — July 27, was an English-born American comedian , actor , entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville , network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared in more than 70 short and feature films , starring in These included a series of seven Road to Hope hosted the Academy Awards show 19 times, more than any other host.
He also appeared in many stage productions and television roles and wrote 14 books. The song " Thanks for the Memory " was his signature tune. He was praised for his comedic timing, specializing in one-liners and rapid-fire delivery of jokes that were often self-deprecating. Between and , he made 57 tours for the United Service Organizations USO , entertaining military personnel around the world. In , Congress passed a bill that made him an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces.
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.
He became a boxer in the s but moved into show business in the early s, initially as a comedian and dancer on the vaudeville circuit before acting on Broadway. He began appearing on radio and in films starting in Hope retired from public life in and died in , at From age 12, Hope earned pocket money by singing, dancing, and performing comedy on the street.
He had three wins and one loss, and he participated in a few staged charity bouts later in life. In , while working as a lineman for a power company, Hope was assisting his brother Jim in clearing trees when a tree crashed to the ground, crushing his face; the accident required reconstructive surgery, which contributed to his later distinctive appearance. Hope and his girlfriend later signed up for dancing lessons, encouraged after they performed in a three-day engagement at a club.
