Bob Hope
For nearly eight decades, he delivered laughter and comfort to American troops abroad and families at home, becoming a bedrock of 20th-century entertainment.
1903–2003 (age 100)·American entertainer·Birthday: May 29·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Born in England and raised in Cleveland, Bob Hope transformed himself from a scrappy vaudeville dancer into the defining comic voice of mid-century America. His rapid-fire, topical monologues, delivered with a knowing smirk, became a national ritual on radio and television. Hope's true legacy, however, was forged overseas. Beginning in World War II, he made it his mission to entertain American troops, embarking on decades of USO tours through conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. On screen, his 'Road' pictures with Bing Crosby blended wisecracks, song, and loose-limbed adventure, creating a new template for the Hollywood comedy. More than just a performer, Hope crafted a persona of the patriotic, fast-talking everyman, a constant, reassuring presence through decades of social change and global turmoil.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Bob was born in 1903, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1903
Bob's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1903Born
Wright brothers achieve first powered flight
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1908Started school
Ford Model T goes into production
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1916Became a teenager
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1919Could drive
Treaty of Versailles signed; Prohibition ratified
President: Woodrow Wilson
1921Could vote
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1924Turned 21
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1933Turned 30
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1943Turned 40
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1953Turned 50
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 60
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 70
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 80
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
2003Died at 100
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Key Achievements
- Conducted his first USO show in 1941 and continued entertaining American troops for over 50 years, spanning five major conflicts.
- Starred in the highly successful 'Road to...' film series with Bing Crosby, comprising seven feature films between 1940 and 1962.
- Hosted the Academy Awards a record 19 times between 1940 and 1978.
- Was awarded 54 honorary doctorate degrees and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Did You Know?
He became an American citizen in 1920 at the age of 17 after emigrating from England with his family.
He owned a sizable portion of California desert land that later became part of the city of Palm Springs, making him a major real estate investor.
He holds the Guinness World Record for being the most honored entertainer.
He performed his last USO show in 1990 at age 87, during Operation Desert Shield.
“I've always been in the right place at the right time. Of course, I steered myself there.”
