Malcolm Rivera
Bob Hope, born Leslie Townes Hope, was an English-American actor, singer, dancer, and comedian. He was born in Eltham, County of London (now part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich) on May 29, 1903, and emigrated to the United States with his family in 1908. Hope began performing from a young age, singing, dancing, and doing comedy on the street for pocket money. He later performed in clubs and formed various acts, including one with Lloyd Durbin, a friend from dancing school. Hope adopted the name Bob in 1929, and throughout his career, he gained recognition for his work with the USO, entertaining active-duty American military personnel on 57 tours. Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles, California, is named after him and houses military artifacts, documents, and memorabilia. While it is unclear when Hope performed at Constitution Hall, he did perform at Patriotic Hall during World War II, when the building served as a site for housing servicemembers on leave and entertaining the troops.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bob Hope Patriotic Hall |
| Location | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Address | 1816 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, 90015 |
| Year Completed | 2013 |
| Renovation Cost | $46 million |
| Style | Italian Renaissance Revival |
| Height | 12 stories |
| Owner | County of Los Angeles |
| Manager | Department of Military and Veterans Affairs |
| Artifacts | Uniforms, paintings, documents from wars and conflicts |
| Artist | Aurel Joel Leitner, Helen Lundeberg |
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What You'll Learn
Bob Hope's early life and career
Bob Hope, born Leslie Townes Hope, came into the world on May 29, 1903, in Eltham, County of London. He was the fifth of seven sons born to William Henry Hope, a stonemason, and Avis (née Townes), a Welsh former concert singer. In 1908, when Hope was four, his family emigrated to the United States, settling in Cleveland, Ohio.
Hope's early years in Cleveland were challenging due to his British accent and appearance, earning him the nickname "Hopelessly." He often got into fights with his peers and struggled to fit in. However, he discovered a passion for entertainment and began earning pocket money by singing, dancing, and performing comedy on the street from the age of twelve. In 1915, he won a prize for his impersonation of Charlie Chaplin, foreshadowing his future career.
As a young man, Hope held various odd jobs, including working as a butcher's assistant and a lineman for a power company. In 1919, he briefly pursued a career in boxing under the name Packy East, achieving three wins and one loss. In 1920, Hope and his family became US citizens. Around this time, he also began entering dancing and amateur talent contests, using the name Lester Hope.
Hope's big break came in 1925 when silent film comedian Fatty Arbuckle discovered him and his partner performing at a club. Arbuckle hired them to work with a touring troupe called Hurley's Jolly Follies. Hope soon formed an act called the "'Dancemedians" with George Byrne and the Hilton Sisters, conjoined twins who tap-danced on the vaudeville circuit. In 1927, he made his Broadway debut with a minor role in The Sidewalks of New York, followed by another small part in Ups-a-Daisy in 1928.
In 1929, Hope informally changed his first name to "Bob," inspired by racecar driver Bob Burman or his desire for a friendlier-sounding name. By 1930, he had spent five years on the vaudeville circuit, and his career was gaining momentum. Hope's feature film debut came in 1938 with The Big Broadcast of 1938, where he sang his signature tune, "Thanks for the Memory." He also launched The Bob Hope Show on the radio, becoming one of America's most popular comics by the end of the decade.
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Bob Hope Patriotic Hall
The hall was originally built to serve as a headquarters for veteran service organisations and as a processing centre for the Army and Air Force during the Korean War. It also housed servicemembers on leave during World War II and hosted performances by entertainers like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour, who entertained the troops. Bob Hope, in particular, was known for his long career entertaining active-duty American military personnel, making 57 USO tours in total. For his service to the nation, he was awarded the Sylvanus Thayer Award by the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1968 and was named an Honorary Veteran by an act of Congress in 1997.
Over the years, the Patriotic Hall fell into disrepair, with outdated infrastructure and maintenance issues. However, in 2006, the County of Los Angeles initiated a rehabilitation project with a budget of over $75 million, and the renovated hall was completed in 2013 at a cost of $46 million. The hall now houses military artefacts, memorabilia, and documents from conflicts ranging from the American Revolutionary War to recent Middle East engagements. It is also home to various veteran organisations that provide services such as free mental health support and case management.
The hall features murals painted by artists Aurel Joel Leitner and Helen Lundeberg in 1942 under the WPA Federal Art Project. Leitner's mural, "Soldiers and Sailors", depicts members of the US military between 1776 and 1941 and can still be seen in the vestibule. Lundeberg created a set of three murals, originally intended to be nine, depicting the Preamble to the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees. Unfortunately, these murals were removed in the early 1970s and have since been lost.
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Bob Hope's military service
Bob Hope is known for his service to the nation's troops, bringing comfort and entertainment to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, both at home and overseas, during World War II and beyond.
Hope's dedication to the troops began in May 1941 when he performed in front of a military audience at March Field, California. He quickly discovered a cherished audience in the armed forces and began taking his programs on the road to military camps and bases across the country. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, his efforts increased, and he travelled the globe to perform for troops, bringing a bit of home to those serving in faraway places. During World War II, Hope's broadcasts were rarely recorded in a studio; instead, he performed in front of troops, often in cargo planes, PT boats, and jeeps, travelling to meet soldiers, sailors, and marines.
In 1943, Hope's overseas tour encompassed the European and Mediterranean Theatres, including England, North Africa, and Sicily. The following year, his summer tour stretched across the Pacific Theatre, covering more than 13,000 miles in 52 days, with over 80 performances for tens of thousands of American servicemen and women. Hope maintained contact with the troops through letter-writing campaigns, and his dedication to the troops continued long after World War II.
In total, it is estimated that Bob Hope entertained more than 11 million troops during his lifetime. In recognition of his service to the nation, Hope received numerous honours, including being named an Honorary Veteran by the United States government in 1997 and receiving the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1968, the first entertainer to receive the award. Hope's last performance overseas for the troops was during Operation Desert Storm when he was in his 80s.
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Bob Hope's awards and honours
Bob Hope received numerous awards and honours throughout his career. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal for his service to his country. He was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 by President Lyndon Johnson for his service to the armed forces through the USO. Hope also received the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1968, becoming the first entertainer to receive this award. In 1982, he was recognised with the S. Roger Horchow Award for Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen.
Hope was also honoured with several building and facility names, including the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, the Bob Hope Theatre at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and the Bob Hope Performing Arts Center at the U.S. Naval Academy. He received over 50 honorary degrees and four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1995, he was presented with the National Medal of Arts, and in 1997, he received the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award and was named an "Honorary Veteran" by an act of Congress signed by President Bill Clinton.
Hope was recognised for his contributions to entertainment and fundraising for the US military, receiving the Naval Heritage Award in 1996 and having a PGA Tour tournament renamed in his honour. He was also honoured with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 1992. In addition, Hope received a Special Achievement Award in 1958 and the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1963.
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Bob Hope's legacy
Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope on May 29, 1903, in Eltham, County of London. At the age of 12, he began earning pocket money by singing, dancing, and performing comedy on the street. Hope immigrated to the United States in 1908 and formed an act called the "Dancemedians" with friends in 1925. In 1929, he informally changed his first name to "Bob," citing that he wanted a name with a "friendly 'Hiya, fellas!' sound" to it.
Bob Hope's career spanned several decades and he became renowned for his work as an entertainer, particularly his service to the nation during wartime. He was the first entertainer to receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1968. In 1997, an act of Congress signed by President Bill Clinton named Hope an "Honorary Veteran" of the U.S. Armed Forces, recognizing his dedication to entertaining active-duty military personnel. Hope made 57 USO tours, bringing joy and laughter to troops around the world.
Hope was also known for his self-deprecating humor and his ad-lib routine with his friend Bing Crosby. He hosted the Oscars numerous times and recruited top celebrities for the annual "Lights On" fundraiser for Fight for Sight, a nonprofit organization funding medical research in vision and ophthalmology.
Bob Hope left a lasting legacy in various places named after him, including the Burbank Airport, the USNS Bob Hope (a US Naval Ship), and the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles, which houses military artifacts and memorabilia. His primary residence in Toluca Lake and his modernist home in Palm Springs are also part of his enduring legacy. Hope's wit and one-liners continue to be remembered, such as his humorous response about where he wanted to be buried: "Surprise me."
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Frequently asked questions
Bob Hope was an entertainer known for his work with the USO, hosting the Oscars, and self-deprecating humour.
Bob Hope performed at Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles, which was later renamed Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. The hall was completed in 2013 and Hope died in 2003, so he never performed there. However, he did perform at the original Patriotic Hall during World War II.
The hall is a service centre for veterans and houses military artefacts and memorabilia.
The hall is located in Los Angeles, California, less than a mile from the Staples Center and LA Live.
The hall was designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style by the Allied Architects Association of Los Angeles.
