Bob Hope Net Worth

## Bob Hope’s Net Worth: A Comedian’s Financial Legacy

**Meta Description:** Explore Bob Hope’s net worth, career highlights, and philanthropic contributions. Discover the comedian’s wealth, impact on entertainment, and his iconic USO tours.

**Table of Contents:**

* [What was Bob Hope’s net worth and salary?](#what-bob-hope8217s-net-worth)
* [Bob Hope’s Wealth](#bob-hope8217s-wealth)
* [Early Life and Career Beginnings](#early-life-career-beginnings)
* [Film Career](#film-career)
* [Television Career](#television-career)
* [United Service Organizations](#united-service-organizations)
* [Theatrical Career](#theatrical-career)
* [Personal Life](#personal-life)
* [Toluca Lake Mansion](#toluca-lake-mansion)
* [Palm Springs Mansion](#palm-springs-mansion)

What was Bob Hope’s Net Worth and Salary?

Bob Hope, a name synonymous with American comedy and entertainment, left behind a legacy that extended far beyond laughter. At the time of his death on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100, his net worth was estimated at $150 million. Considering inflation, this figure equates to roughly $250 million in today’s dollars. His wealth was a testament to his successful, nearly 80-year career, encompassing film, television, radio, and the stage. Beyond financial success, Hope was celebrated for his record-breaking 19 appearances as host of the Academy Awards and his tireless dedication to entertaining U.S. military personnel through 57 USO tours between 1941 and 1991.

Bob Hope’s Wealth

Throughout his lifetime, Bob Hope’s net worth was a subject of much speculation and varied estimations. At one point, his wealth was rumored to be as high as $700 million, largely due to substantial real estate holdings, especially in Southern California. In the early 1980s, Forbes magazine estimated his net worth at $200 million. Upon hearing this, Hope humorously responded:

> “*If my estate is worth over $50 million, I’ll kiss your ass. I mean that.*”

This statement prompted a Forbes reporter to meticulously re-evaluate Hope’s assets, leading to a revised estimate of $85 million. Although the original estimate was significantly lowered, Hope did not follow through with his promise. At the time of his passing, Hope’s estate was valued between $115 and $150 million, a reflection of his substantial earnings from various ventures.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born Leslie Townes Hope in London, England, in 1903, Bob Hope was the fifth of seven sons. His father, William, was a stonemason, and his mother, Avis, was an opera singer. The family immigrated to the United States when Hope was four years old, settling in Cleveland, Ohio. From a young age, Hope displayed a natural talent for entertainment. He earned money singing, dancing, performing comedy, and participating in amateur talent contests. Before committing to a career in show business, he briefly pursued boxing, worked as a butcher’s assistant, and even spent time with the Chandler Motor Car Company. In 1925, a performance caught the attention of silent film comedian Fatty Arbuckle, who helped him gain work with a touring troupe. During the 1920s, Hope gained recognition as a comedian and dancer on the vaudeville circuit, honing his skills and developing the comedic timing that would become his trademark. His move to radio in 1934, followed by his own series “Woodbury Soap Hour” on NBC Radio in 1937, marked his transition to a wider audience.

Film Career

Hope’s film career began in the early 1930s with a contract at New York’s Educational Pictures, where he starred in six short films. However, he was reportedly dissatisfied with his first film, “Going Spanish,” and was subsequently dropped. He later signed with Warner Brothers, then moved to Hollywood, where he joined Paramount Pictures. At Paramount, he starred alongside W. C. Fields in “The Big Broadcast of 1938,” which featured his signature song, “Thanks for the Memory.” This established him as a leading film star and a beloved entertainer.

Hope achieved remarkable success with the “Road” movies, in which he co-starred with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. These films, blending comedy, music, and adventure, became a cultural phenomenon. The “Road” series included “Road to Singapore,” “Road to Zanzibar,” “Road to Morocco,” “Road to Utopia,” “Road to Rio,” “Road to Bali,” and “The Road to Hong Kong.” Following the “Road” series, Hope starred in several other films, including “Critic’s Choice” with Lucille Ball and Rip Torn; “Call Me Bwana” with Anita Ekberg; “Eight on the Lam” with Phyllis Diller and Jonathan Winters; “Cancel My Reservation” with Eva Marie Saint and Ralph Bellamy; and “A Masterpiece of Murder.” These films showcased his versatility and enduring appeal.

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Television Career

As radio’s popularity declined in the 1950s, Bob Hope transitioned successfully to television. He began hosting numerous specials on NBC, quickly becoming a staple of the network. His annual Christmas specials, featuring performances of songs like “Silver Bells,” became a beloved tradition. His Christmas specials in 1970 and 1971 were filmed in Vietnam, entertaining U.S. military audiences and reaching over 60% of U.S. households. From 1939 to 1977, Hope hosted the Academy Awards ceremony a record-breaking 19 times, a testament to his prominence in Hollywood. Later in his career, he made a memorable guest appearance on the sitcom “The Golden Girls.” In 1993, his 90th birthday was celebrated with a television special, “Bob Hope: The First 90 Years,” which won an Emmy Award. Despite the challenges of declining vision toward the end of his career, Hope continued to entertain audiences. He ended his 60-year contract with NBC in 1996, airing his final television special, “Laughing with the Presidents,” where Tony Danza helped him present a retrospective of U.S. presidents.

United Service Organizations

Bob Hope’s dedication to entertaining U.S. military personnel is one of his most enduring legacies. His first USO show was at March Field in California in 1941. He continued traveling worldwide to perform for troops during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iran-Iraq War, and the Persian Gulf War. Over half a century, Hope headlined 57 USO shows, providing laughter and a sense of home to soldiers in various war zones. In recognition of his service, he was honored with the Sylvanus Thayer Award by the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1968, becoming the first entertainer to receive the award. In 1997, an act of Congress, signed by President Bill Clinton, designated Hope an Honorary Veteran, a fitting tribute to his tireless efforts.

Theatrical Career

Alongside his film and television success, Bob Hope also enjoyed a notable career on the stage. His Broadway debut was in 1927 and 1928, with minor roles in “The Sidewalks of New York” and “Ups-a-Daisy.” He returned to Broadway in 1933, starring in the musical “Roberta” as Huckleberry Haines, which marked a significant role for him. Following this, he appeared in “Say When,” the “Ziegfeld Follies” of 1936, and “Red, Hot and Blue,” co-starring with Ethel Merman and Jimmy Durante. In 1958, Hope reprised his role in “Roberta” in a production in St. Louis, Missouri, demonstrating his continued engagement with the theatrical world.

Personal Life

In 1933, Bob Hope married his vaudeville partner, Grace Louise Troxell, but the marriage ended in divorce a year later. He subsequently began a long-term relationship with performer Dolores Reade. While the details of their marriage are sometimes debated, the couple adopted four children: Linda, Tony, Kelly, and Eleanora. They also shared homes, including a notable 23,366-square-foot mansion in Palm Springs. Despite maintaining relatively good health into his older years, he was hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding at 97 and pneumonia at 98. Bob Hope died from pneumonia complications at home in 2003 at the age of 100. His remains were interred at the Bob Hope Memorial Garden at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Toluca Lake Mansion

Bob and Dolores Hope owned multiple residences, including an apartment in New York City, but the Toluca Lake mansion in California was their primary home. They lived in a 15,000 square foot mansion located at 10346 Moorpark Street in Toluca Lake, California, from 1937 until his passing. The property spanned over 5 acres and featured 10 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, and a one-hole golf course. The Hope family sold this home in 2015 for $15 million. It was later listed for $29 million in May 2022 and finally sold in March 2023 for $26 million. A video tour of the property offers a glimpse into the home’s grandeur:

Palm Springs Mansion

In Palm Springs, Bob and Dolores Hope owned a sprawling 23,366-square-foot mansion designed by the renowned architect John Lautner. At one point, this estate was privately marketed for $50 million. In 2014, it officially went on the market with an asking price of $34 million. In November 2011, billionaire Ron Burkle purchased the 6+ acre property for $13 million. This iconic residence is a testament to Hope’s success and his appreciation for modern architecture. A video tour provides an inside look at this desert retreat:

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