Humphrey Bogart

NAME Humphrey DeForest Bogart

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Humphrey Bogart is famous for being an iconic American film actor, known for his performances in classic films such as Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and The Big Sleep.

BIRTH Humphrey Bogart was born on December 25, 1899, in New York City, New York, USA. He used to joke that he was cheated out of a present every year because of his birth date.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Bogart was born to a wealthy and prominent family. His father, Belmont DeForest Bogart, was a respected heart surgeon (with a hidden opium addiction), and his mother, Maud Humphrey, was a successful commercial illustrator and a suffragette.

Bogart was a seventh cousin twice removed of Princess Diana. They were both descended from Robert Spencer, the 2nd Earl of Sunderland, who was born in 1641.

CHILDHOOD Humphrey Bogart grew up in a privileged environment in Manhattan. Despite his affluent upbringing, he had a strained relationship with his parents and was known to be a rebellious child.

As a kid, he was more likely to be teased for his curly hair and Little Lord Fauntleroy suits than hailed as a future tough guy. 

EDUCATION Bogart attended the prestigious Trinity School in New York City and later Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. However, he was expelled from Phillips Academy for indolence and poor academic performance. Bogart later claimed, in an attempt to burnish his image, that he pushed a teacher into a pond.

Bogart briefly considered studying medicine at Yale University

CAREER RECORD Bogart had a variety of jobs before he became an actor. He worked as a truck driver, a clerk, a delivery boy, and a bond salesman. Here's his resume: 

Began acting on Broadway in the 1920s

Spent most of the 1930s in B-movies, often playing gangsters

Achieved breakthrough roles in the 1940s with films like "High Sierra" and "The Maltese Falcon"

Starred in numerous film noir classics, including "Casablanca" (1942)

Remained a top box-office attraction throughout the 1940s and 50s

APPEARANCE Bogart was known for his rugged good looks, with a distinctive scar on his upper lip and a slight lisp. He had a lean build, piercing eyes, and often sported a fedora hat and trench coat in his film roles.

Bogart in 1940

FASHION Bogart's fashion style was classic and timeless. He often wore tailored suits, trench coats, and fedoras, contributing to his image as a suave and sophisticated leading man.

CHARACTER Bogart was often portrayed as a tough, cynical, and world-weary character in his films. In real life, he was known for his integrity, independence, and a strong sense of loyalty to his friends and colleagues.

Bogart wasn't always the easiest guy to get along with, especially when it came to his studio head, Jack Warner. Their relationship was a glorious clash of egos, with Warner reportedly threatening to cut Bogie's throat (though delivered with a touch of Hollywood charm).

SENSE OF HUMOUR Bogart had a dry and sardonic sense of humor. He was known for his witty remarks and sharp comebacks, both on and off the screen.

RELATIONSHIPS Bogart was married four times. 

Helen Menken (1926-1927)

Mary Philips (1928-1937)

Mayo Methot (1938-1945)

Lauren Bacall (1945-1957)

His most famous and enduring relationship was with actress Lauren Bacall, They met on the set of To Have and Have Not in 1944, and sparks flew faster than a lit match in a jazz bar. They married on May 21, 1945 when Bacall was just 19 years old and Bogart was 45. They had two children together, Stephen and Leslie and remained married until his death.

MONEY AND FAME Bogart achieved significant financial success and fame during his career. By the mid-1940s, he was one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors and a major box office draw.

FOOD AND DRINK Bogart enjoyed good food and drink. He was particularly fond of Scotch whisky and was known to be a heavy smoker, often seen with a cigarette in hand.

MUSIC AND ARTS While Bogart was primarily focused on his acting career, he had an appreciation for jazz music and fine art, influenced by his mother’s background as an artist.

Music by his favorite composers, Johann Sebastian Bach and Claude Debussy, were played at his funeral.

In 1921, with childhood firmly in the rearview mirror, Bogart set his sights on the bright lights of Broadway. He landed roles in various productions, slowly clawing his way up the theatrical food chain. Then came 1930 and Hollywood debut, a movie called Up the River. It wasn't exactly a starring role, but it was a foot in the door to Hollywood.

The movie gods must have been impressed by Bogart's screen presence, because bit parts soon turned into meatier ones. By 1936, he landed the role that would change everything: Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest. This flick was a smash hit, propelling Bogart to leading man status.

From there, it was a whirlwind of classic films. The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca (with the line "Here's looking at you, kid" permanently etched in cinematic history), The Big Sleep, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre – the list goes on. Bogart wasn't just acting, he was embodying a new kind of movie hero – the world-weary cynic with a heart of gold, a man who could crack a wise and slip a punch with equal aplomb.

Bogart wasn't always the easiest guy to get along with, especially when it came to his studio head, Jack Warner. Their relationship was a glorious clash of egos, with Warner reportedly threatening to cut Bogie's throat (though delivered with a touch of Hollywood charm, according to Lauren Bacall).

Casablanca was the movie that solidified Bogie's legend. Contrary to popular belief, he never actually uttered the line "Play it again, Sam" (the closest we get is "Play it, Sam").

LITERATURE Bogart was well-read and had a particular interest in classic literature and contemporary novels of his time. He could quote Plato, Alexander Pope, Ralph Waldo Emerson and over a thousand lines of Shakespeare and engaged in intellectual discussions.. Bogart admired writers, and some of his best friends were screenwriters.

NATURE Bogart enjoyed outdoor activities such as sailing. He often spent time on his yacht, the Santana, and appreciated the tranquility and freedom of the open sea.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Bogart's main hobbies included sailing and chess. He was an avid and skilled chess player, often engaging in games with friends and colleagues. During World War II, he played correspondence chess with GIs posted overseas or in hospitals. Bogart reportedly had a love for fast cars

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Bogart was known to have a pragmatic and somewhat skeptical worldview. He was not particularly religious and often questioned societal norms and conventions.

SCANDAL Bogart's life was relatively free of scandal compared to other Hollywood stars of his era. However, his tumultuous marriages and heavy drinking were sometimes a subject of public interest.

MILITARY RECORD Bogart served in the United States Navy during World War I. His service was relatively uneventful; he spent much of his service ferrying troops back home from the Western Front. Bogart  later claimed that his distinctive scar came from a shrapnel wound, though this was likely a fabrication.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Bogart struggled with health issues later in life, primarily due to his heavy smoking and drinking. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in January 1956. Surgery failed to remove the cancerous growth and he died a year later .

HOMES Bogart lived in various homes in Hollywood and New York throughout his life. His final residence was in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, where he lived with Lauren Bacall and their children.

TRAVEL Bogart traveled extensively for both work and pleasure. He frequently sailed along the California coast and took trips to Europe and other destinations.

DEATH Humphrey Bogart died on January 14, 1957, at the age of 57, from esophageal cancer. His attributed last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." The death of Bogart marked the end of an era in Hollywood, but his legacy as a cinematic icon endures.

A simple funeral was held at All Saints Episcopal Church. Bacall asked Spencer Tracy to give the eulogy; he was too upset, however, and John Huston spoke instead: His ashes were interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Columbarium of Eternal Light in its Garden of Memory in Glendale, California. H

Bogart is buried with a small, gold whistle bearing the legend "If you need anything just whistle," a constant reminder of the first film he made with his wife, Lauren Bacall, To Have and Have Not.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Bogart's image and persona have been immortalized in various forms of media, including film, television, and popular culture. He is often referenced or parodied in other works, reflecting his lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

ACHIEVEMENTS Considered one of the greatest actors of all time

An Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The African Queen

Ranked as the #1 Greatest Male Star of Classic American Cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999

Bogart's legacy goes beyond the silver screen. He's a cultural touchstone, a reminder that even the toughest guys have a flicker of decency, and that a well-worn trench coat and a dry wit can make all the difference.