Born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, England. In the US from age four, he grew up in Cleveland, where he won a Chaplin-imitation contest at 10. In his teens he was a newsboy, a soda jerk, and briefly a boxer before trying his hand at amateur show business in an act of "song, patter, and eccentric dancing." He later hit the road in vaudeville, in which he added comedy to his routine. In 1929 he made it to New York and in 1933 he got a solid comedy part in the Broadway musical Roberta. Between 1934 and 1936 he appeared in eight comedy shorts, all filmed in New York. But it was his success on radio that brought him a Hollywood invitation to appear in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1938. In this loosely knit comedy-variety film, he sang for the first time the tune that was soon to become his theme song, "Thanks for the Memory." He scored his first popular screen hit with THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1939) and struck it rich with ROAD TO SINGAPORE (1940), the first of seven highly successful "Road" pictures he was to make over the years with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. Hope's style of screen comedy, relying heavily on rapid quips and topical wisecracks, thrived through the 40s, reaching a peak in the western parody THE PALEFACE (1948). His films of the 50s were a mixed bag and those of the 60s increasingly less entertaining. But the indefatigable Hope (and his inseparable battery of gag writers) continued bombarding the public with laughs not only in films but also in frequent TV specials and worldwide personal appearances. He frequently emceed the Oscar ceremonies and he himself won "Special" academy awards five times (1940, 1944, 1952, 1959 and 1965), not for his acting, but for humanitarian action and contribution to the industry. From 1941 to 1953, Hope ranked each year (except for 1948) among Hollywood's top ten moneymaking stars. While enriching Paramount, he did pretty well for himself too. He became on of the world's wealthiest entertainers, his worth estimated at hundreds of millions, mostly in real estate, securities, oil and gas wells, thoroughbred horses, a broadcasting company, and at one point the Cleveland Indians baseball team. In spite of his busy professional schedule, Hope allowed generous chunks of time for annual trips to entertain troops overseas, a yule-season ritual that spanned several major wars, from WW II, through Korea and Vietnam, to the Persian Gulf conflict of 1990-91, on the eve of operation Desert Storm. For many years an avid golfer, his hame became associated for the sport's fans with the Bob Hope Desert Classic, an annual event that produces millions of dollars for charity. His numerous awards and citations for humanitarian endeavors included the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His lifetime professional achievements were ratified by Kennedy Center honors in 1985. Hope, who over the years assumed the stature of a national institution, authored several humorous books about his career and travels, some in collaboration: They Got Me Covered (1941), I Never Left Home (1944), So This Is Peace (1946), Have Tux, Will Travel (1954), I Owe Russia $1,200 (1963), Five Women I Love: Obit Hope's Vietnam Story (1966), The Last Christmas Show (1974), The Road to Hollywood: My 40-year Love Affair With The Movies (1977), Confessions of a Hooker: My Life-long Love Affair With Golf (1985), and Don't Shoot, It's Only Me (1990). Hope died of pneumonia in his home in Toluca Lake, CA, two months after his 100th birthday.  Special Award 1940: "In recognition of his unselfish services to the Motion Picture Industry." Winner presented a Special Silver Plaque.  Special Award 1944: "For his many services to the Academy, a Life Membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."  Honorary Award 1952: "For his contribution to the laughter of the world, his service to the motion picture industry, and his devotion to the American premise." Winner presented a Statuette.  Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 1959.  Honorary Award 1965: "For unique and distinguished service to our industry and the Academy." Winner presented a Gold Medal. 5 Honorary Awards