Bob Hope
Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, and entertainer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films — 54 in which he starred. These included a series of seven Road to... musical comedy films with Bing Crosby as Hope's top-billed partner.
In addition to hosting the Academy Awards show 19 times, more than any other host, Hope appeared in many stage productions and television roles and wrote 14 books. The song "Thanks for the Memory" was his signature tune.
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. After a brief stint in the late 1910s as a boxer, Hope began his career in show business in the early 1920s, initially as a comedian and dancer on the vaudeville circuit, before acting on Broadway. Hope began appearing on radio and in films starting in 1934. He was praised for his comedic timing, specializing in one-liners and rapid-fire delivery of jokes that were often self-deprecating. He helped establish modern American stand-up comedy.
Between 1941 and 1991, Hope made 57 tours for the United Service Organizations (USO), entertaining active duty U.S. military personnel around the world. In 1997, the United States Congress passed a bill that made Hope an honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. Hope appeared in numerous television specials for NBC during his career and was one of the first users of cue cards.
Hope retired from public life in 1998 and died on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100.
Acting
TV
The Simpsons
as Bob Hope (voice)
1989
Movie
Spies Like Us
as Self
1985
Movie
The Muppet Movie
as Ice Cream Vendor
1979
TV
Get Smart
as Room Service Attendant (uncredited)
1965
TV
The Golden Girls
as Bob Hope
1985
TV
The Muppet Show
as Self - Special Guest Star
1976
Movie
The Greatest Show on Earth
as Spectator (uncredited)
1952
TV
I Love Lucy
as Bob Hope
1951
TV
Highway to Heaven
as Sycopomp
1984
Movie
Hearts and Minds
as Self (archive footage)
1974
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1962
Movie
The Cat and the Canary
as Wally Campbell
1939
Movie
Road to Morocco
as Orville Jackson
1942
Movie
The Ghost Breakers
as Larry Lawrence
1940
TV
The Oscars
as Self
1953
Movie
Road to Bali
as Harold Gridley
1952
Movie
The Paleface
as 'Painless' Peter Potter
1948
TV
The Carol Burnett Show
as Self (uncredited)
1967
TV
The Carol Burnett Show
as Self - Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
1967
Movie
My Favorite Brunette
as Ronnie Jackson
1947
TV
Late Night with David Letterman
as Self
1982
Movie
Howard
as Orville 'Turkey' Jackson (archive footage)
2018
TV
The Lucy Show
as Plumber's Assistant
1962
Crew
Movie
My Favorite Brunette
Writer
1947
Movie
Alias Jesse James
Executive Producer
1959
Movie
Paris Holiday
Story
1958
TV
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
Executive Producer
1963
Movie
Cancel My Reservation
Executive Producer
1972
Movie
Roberta
Executive Producer
1969
Movie
Joys
Executive Producer
1976
Movie
Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy
Executive Producer
1989
Movie
Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia
Executive Producer
1991
Movie
Bob Hope Christmas Show
Associate Producer
1965
Movie
Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show
Executive Producer
1988
Movie
Bob Hope's Four-Star Christmas Fiesta from San Antonio
Executive Producer
1992