Person
Bob Hope
Eltham, London, England, UK
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…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2025
Breakdown: 1975
Movie Self - Co-Host, 47th Academy Awards (archive footage)
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2025
Miles, Morale and Memories: Bob Hope and WWII
Movie Self - Host (archive footage)
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2025
Sally
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2022
Kids' TV: The Surprising Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2022
Rat Pack
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2021
Boulevard! A Hollywood Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2018
Howard
Movie Orville 'Turkey' Jackson (archive footage)
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2017
This Is Bob Hope...
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2017
The Fabulous Allan Carr
Movie Self (archive)
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2017
Mansfield 66/67
Movie
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2016
O.J.: Made in America
TV show Self (archive footage)
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2016
Bob Hope: Entertaining the Troops
Movie Self
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2015
Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2014
Bing Crosby: Rediscovered
Movie Self (archive footage)
- 2010
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2010
Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino
Movie Self (archive footage)
More credits
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2010
The Best of Johnny Carson
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2009
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2008
Johnny Carson Celebrates Christmas
Movie Self
- 2006
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2006
Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2005
Pioneers of Primetime
Movie
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2005
Legendary Christmas Entertainers
Movie Self
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2004
Elf: Christmas in Tinseltown
Movie Self (archive)
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2004
Judy Garland: By Myself
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2003
Christmas in Hollywood
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2003
Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2003
Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer
Movie Self
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2003
100 Years of Hope and Humor
Movie Self
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2002
Edith Head: The Paramount Years
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2002
Entertaining the Troops: Bob Hope & the USO
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2002
Bob Hope and the Road to Success
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2000
Hollywood Musicals of the 40's
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2000
Buñuel in Hollywood
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1999
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
Movie (archive footage)
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1999
Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1999
Television: The First Fifty Years
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1998
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
Movie Self - Roastee (archive footage)
