Bob Hope

Who was Bob Hope?

Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS, born Leslie Townes Hope, was an English-born American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, author, and athlete who appeared on Broadway, in vaudeville, movies, television, and on the radio. He was noted for his numerous United Service Organizations shows entertaining American military personnel—he made 57 tours for the USO between 1941 and 1991. Throughout his long career, he was honored for this work. In 1997, the U.S. Congress declared him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces."

Over a career spanning 60 years, Hope appeared in over 70 films and shorts, including a series of "Road" movies co-starring Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. In addition to hosting the Academy Awards fourteen times, he appeared in many stage productions and television roles, and was the author of fourteen books. He participated in the sports of golf and boxing, and owned a small stake in his hometown baseball team, the Cleveland Indians. He was married to performer Dolores Hope for 69 years.

Famous Quotes:

• I don't generally feel anything until noon, then it's time for my nap.
• A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove you don't need it.
• Kids are wonderful, but I like mine barbecued.
• Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle.
• When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things -- not the great occasions -- that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.
• I do benefits for all religions -- I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality.
• You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.
• If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf.
• If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.
• The only thing chicken about Israel is their soup.