Humphrey Bogart 1899 – 1957

Biography

Humphrey Bogart was an American actor whose world-weary, sardonic screen presence made him one of Hollywood’s enduring icons. Born in New York City, he served in the United States Navy in the First World War and then worked for years in Broadway theatre before moving to Hollywood. After a decade in supporting and gangster roles, he broke through as a leading man in High Sierra and The Maltese Falcon, both released in 1941. Casablanca, released in 1942, made him a legend as Rick Blaine, the cynical nightclub owner who sacrifices love for a greater cause. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for The African Queen in 1951 and starred in The Big Sleep, Key Largo and The Caine Mutiny. Off screen he was a keen sailor, a heavy drinker and, with his fourth wife Lauren Bacall, half of a celebrated Hollywood partnership. He died in Los Angeles in 1957, and his ashes were interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.