Who Is Bob Hope? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Bob Hope, born on May 29, 1903, was an iconic American entertainer known for his versatility and prowess in various fields including stand-up comedy, acting, and television. He passed away on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the entertainment industry. His career spanned several decades, solidifying his status as a beloved figure not only in America but around the globe. Known for his quick wit and charming personality, Bob Hope's contributions to entertainment were manifold, including numerous USO shows for the troops, making him an enduring symbol of American humor.
| Occupation | Republicans |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1903 |
| Age | 100 Years |
| Birth Place | Eltham, London, England |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 27 July, 2003 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California |
Popularity
Bob Hope's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While Bob Hope's current physical statistics are not applicable since he has been deceased for over two decades, historical records suggest that he stood at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and had a weight of around 165 pounds (75 kg) in his prime. Known for his dynamic performances, his larger-than-life presence was characterized by charisma and humor.
On April 26, 1970, CBS released the Raquel Welch television special Raquel!; in it Hope appears as a guest. Hope's 1970 and 1971 Christmas specials for NBC—filmed in Vietnam in front of military audiences at the height of the war—are on the list of the Top 46 U.S. network prime-time telecasts. Both were seen by more than 60 percent of the U.S.
households watching television. Likely the most unusual of his television specials was Joys!, a parody of murder mystery narratives, where the audience discovers at the end of the broadcast that Johnny Carson was the villain.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Bob Hope married Dolores Hope in 1933, and together they remained a couple for over 70 years. Their partnership was one of love and mutual respect, and they had four children: Linda, Tony, Kelly, and Nora Hope. Despite rumors that may have emerged over the years about other relationships, Hope remained devoted to his wife throughout his long life.
He was the fifth of seven sons of William Henry Hope, a stonemason from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, and Welsh mother Avis (née Townes), a light opera singer from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, who later worked as a cleaner.
William and Avis married in April 1891 and lived at 12 Greenwood Street in Barry before moving to Whitehall, Bristol, and then to St George, Bristol. The family emigrated to the United States aboard the SS Philadelphia, passing through Ellis Island, New York on March 30, 1908, before moving on to Cleveland.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Bob Hope's net worth was estimated to be around $150 million, a testament to his successful career in the entertainment industry. His income was derived from various sources, including movies, television shows, live performances, and endorsements. In 2025, his estate continues to generate income through licensing agreements and tribute performances, maintaining his financial legacy.
Hope's career in broadcasting began on radio in 1934. His first regular series for NBC Radio was the Woodbury Soap Hour in 1937, on a 26-week contract.
Serving as the master of ceremonies for these Rippling Rhythm Revue radio broadcasts, Hope collaborated with the big band leader Shep Fields during this period of transition from vaudeville to radio. A year later, The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope began, and Hope signed a ten-year contract with the show's sponsor, Lever Brothers.
He hired eight writers and paid them out of his salary of $2,500 a week. The original staff included Mel Shavelson, Norman Panama, Jack Rose, Sherwood Schwartz, and Schwartz's brother Al. The writing staff eventually grew to fifteen. The show became the top radio program in the country.
Regulars on the series included Jerry Colonna and Barbara Jo Allen as spinster Vera Vague. Hope continued his lucrative career in radio into the 1950s, when radio's popularity began being overshadowed by the upstart television medium.
Career, Business, and Investments
Bob Hope's career began in vaudeville, and he rose to fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He starred in numerous films, including the famous "Road" series alongside Bing Crosby, and had a successful television career with his variety shows. Hope's business acumen led him to invest in several ventures, including real estate and charitable foundations. His philanthropic efforts were significant, raising millions for various causes, most notably for the U.S. armed forces.
Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an 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 54. These included a series of seven Road to ... musical comedy films with Bing Crosby as his partner.
Social Network
Even though Bob Hope is not alive today, his legacy lives on through various social media platforms and fan pages dedicated to his work. You can find tributes and collections of his performances on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These channels continue to celebrate his contributions to comedy and acting, bringing together fans who appreciate his timeless humor.
In 1929, Hope informally changed his first name to "Bob". In one version of the story, he named himself after racecar driver Bob Burman. In another, he said that he chose the name because he wanted a name with a "friendly 'Hiya, fellas!' sound" to it.
In a 1942 legal document, his legal name appears as Lester Townes Hope; it is unknown if this reflects a legal name change from Leslie. After five years on the vaudeville circuit, Hope was "surprised and humbled" when he failed a 1930 screen test for the RKO-Pathé short-subject studio at Culver City, California.
Education
Bob Hope's formal education included attendance at the Montgomery County Public School in Pennsylvania and later at the University of Southern California. Though he did not complete a degree, his experiences during his youth and his work in the entertainment sector were significant in shaping his comedic genius and performance skills.
Although Hope made an effort to keep his material up to date, he never adapted his comic persona or his routines to any great degree.
As Hollywood began to transition to the "New Hollywood" era in the 1960s, he reacted negatively, such as when he hosted the 40th Academy Awards in 1968 and voiced his contempt by mocking the show's delay because of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
and condescendingly greeted attending younger actors on stage—such as Dustin Hoffman, who was 30 at the time—as children. By the 1970s, his popularity was beginning to wane with military personnel and with the movie-going public in general.
However, he continued doing USO tours into the 1980s and continued to appear on television into the 1990s. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, a close friend and frequent host to him at the White House, called Hope "America's most honored citizen and our favorite clown".
