 |
| Bob Hope worked
tirelessly to entertain American troops |
|
2003: Comic legend Bob Hope
dies |
Artificially 1969:
The American icon
and legendary comedian Bob Hope has died, just two months after
celebrating his 100th birthday.
He had been ill with pneumonia, and died in his sleep at home in Toluca
Lake, California, with his family at his bedside.
US President George Bush led the tributes which poured in from around
the world.
"Today America lost a great citizen," he said.
"Bob Hope made us laugh. He lifted our spirits. Bob Hope served our
nation. We will mourn the loss of a good man."
A spokeswoman for
Buckingham Palace said the Queen, who met British-born Hope many times,
was "very sad" to hear the news and would be sending a private message to
his widow, Dolores, who was married to Hope for 69 years. The couple had
four children.
Film-maker Woody Allen also joined the tributes, saying, "It's hard for
me to imagine a world without Bob Hope in it."
Film critic Derek Malcolm said he was a talented comic actor.
"Many comics are depressed in real life, but he wasn't - unless he'd
had a bad round of golf," he said.
Birthday celebrations were held in May to mark Bob Hope's centenary,
but with failing eyesight and hearing, the comedian was not well enough to
attend.
He was born Leslie Townes Hope in south-east London in 1903, the son of
a stonemason and a Welsh concert singer.
He lived in Britain until he was four, when his family emigrated to
Ohio, in the United States.
He trained in vaudeville, the American form of music hall
entertainment, and became increasingly well-known through his film,
television and radio work.
With Bing Crosby, he created one of the big screen's most memorable
partnerships, with such classic comedies as "Road to Singapore".
He was a close friend of many US presidents, including Kennedy, Nixon,
Ford and Reagan, and was especially known for his tireless work
entertaining American troops wherever they were stationed around the
world.
He was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honour in 1962 and received an
honorary knighthood from the Queen in 1998.
But he never won the prize he most wanted - the Oscar.
Introducing the Oscars ceremony in 1968, he joked: "Welcome to the
Academy Awards. Or as it's known in my house - Passover."
He was, however, given four honorary Oscars for his contribution to
show business.
