Bob
1903-2003
Although he has become an American icon, Hope was a
ctually born to an English father and a Welsh mother in Eltham,
England on May 29, 1903, as Leslie Townes Hope.
He and his parents came to the US in 1907.
After achieving success in vaudeville and on Broadway as a singer,
dancer, and comedian, and appearing in several films beginning in 1934
(the same year he married Dolores Reade), he finally landed his first
big movie role in "The Big Broadcast of 1938," in which he sang
what later became his signature tune,
"Thanks For the Memories."
The highlight of his movie career was the series of
"Road" films (to Singapore, Zanzibar, Morocco, Utopia, Rio, Bali,
and Hong Kong) he made with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour from 1940 to 1962.
He was the top box office draw in 1950.