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Bob's
Biography
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For a man who
played third billing to Siamese twins and trained
seals, Bob Hope has become the most recognized
profile and talent in the world. And, in the
entire history of show business, no individual
has traveled so far -- so often -- to entertain
so many. Hope's
entertainment persona has been evident in every
decade of the 20th century -- from impersonating
Charlie Chaplin in front of the firehouse in Cleveland in
1909, to celebrating an unprecedented 60
years with NBC in 1996.
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The
fifth of seven sons, he was born Leslie Townes
Hope in Eltham, England on May 29, 1903. His
English father, William Henry Hope, was a
stonemason -- his Welsh mother, Avis Townes Hope,
an aspiring concert singer. |
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In
1907, Leslie's father brought the family to
Cleveland, Ohio. In 1920, by virtue of his
father's naturalization, 'Bob' -- the name by
which the world would later know him -- and his
brothers became US citizens. (Bob Jokes, "I left England at the age of four when I found out I couldn't be king.") |
Email Bob
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