Obituary: Bob Hope was a London-born immigrant shoe-shine boy whose wisecracks won him fame and wealth and a niche in the hearts of people worldwide.
Up there with superstars such as Frank Sinatra, Greta Garbo and Bing Crosby, there was no bigger name in showbusiness and for six decades he was an international institution.
He was not only the friend of presidents from Roosevelt to Reagan, but a hero to the millions of US servicemen he entertained on battlefields going back to World War Two.
There were few major Hollywood, political or military figures with whom Hope had not shared a stage or a scene in his 50-plus films, hundreds of radio and television appearances, and thousands of stage performances.
He was even invited by US senators to stand for president, but responded with a typical one-liner: "The money's not right, and anyway I don't want to move into a smaller house".
A measure of the affection, bordering on reverence, in which he was held was demonstrated in June, 1998, when a Republican politician gravely announced to Congress: "It is with great sadness I announce that Bob Hope has died . . ."
An immediate hush fell over Capitol Hill, followed by a string of solemn tributes.
But it was all a mistake. At the time Hope was at home in Los Angeles, tucking into breakfast. The error arose when an obituary of Hope, written in advance, appeared on the Internet.
Born in Craighton Road, Eltham, south London, on May 29th, 1903, the comedian was christened Leslie Townes Hope and was the fifth of seven sons. His father was a stonemason, and his mother was a singer-pianist who also cleaned other people's homes.
The Hopes emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1907 when "Les" was four. Hope started out as a child star, winning a Cleveland talent contest with an impersonation of Charlie Chaplin in front of an audience of local firemen.
Timemagazine once estimated his wealth at $500 million. He and his wife, former singer Dolores Reade, were thought to be one of Hollywood's most enduring couples after more than 60 years together.
The funny man won four Academy Awards, the Order of the British Empire, Congressional Gold Medal, French Legion of Honour and 50-odd honorary degrees.
When he reached 100 on May 29th this year, the occasion was marked across the United States. Celebrations including a flypast by 1940s planes and the renaming of a Hollywood square.
His family and neighbours held a party in his honour, when 101 balloons were released and local children sang happy birthday. Hope is said to have joked to his family: "I'm so old, they've cancelled my blood type".