Humphrey Bogart, an American actor known for his unforgettable performances in iconic films like Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon, had a remarkable journey to success. Born into a wealthy family in New York City, Bogart initially showed little interest in academics and was even expelled from school. However, his determination led him to join the United States Navy and take up various odd jobs to support himself. Eventually, he found his passion for acting and began his career as a stage manager. From the 1920s onwards, Bogart gradually worked his way up in the industry, starting with minor roles on Broadway and eventually landing lead roles. Despite being initially typecast as a gangster in B-grade movies, Bogart’s persistence and hard work paid off, and by the 1940s, he had established himself as a respected actor and leading man in Hollywood. Throughout his career, Bogart delivered numerous hits and many of his later films became timeless classics.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Humphrey DeForest Bogart, Bogie
- Died At Age: 57
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Helen Menken (m. 1926–1927), Lauren Bacall (m. 1945–1957), Mary Philips (m. 1928–1937), Mayo Methot (m. 1938–1945)
- Father: Belmont DeForest Bogart
- Mother: Maud Humphreys
- Siblings: Catherine Elizabeth Bogart, Frances Bogart
- Children: Leslie Howard Bogart, Stephen Humphrey Bogart
- Born Country: United States
- Quotes By Humphrey Bogart
- Alcoholics
- Height: 5’8″ (173 cm), 5’8″ Males
- Died on: January 14, 1957
- Place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Ancestry: Dutch American, British American
- Notable Alumni: Phillips Academy
- Grouping of People: Smoker
- Cause of Death: Esophageal Cancer
- U.S. State: New Yorkers
- Founder/Co-Founder: Entertainment Industry Foundation
- More Facts
- Education: Phillips Academy
Childhood & Early Life
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was born on December 25, 1899 in New York City, New York. His father, Dr. Belmont DeForest Bogart, was a well-known heart surgeon while his mother, Maud Humphrey, was a famous painter. Young Humphrey acted as his mother’s model a number of times. He had two sisters; Frances and Catherine Elizabeth. His parents were rather formal and showed very little emotion to them.
Education and Navy Service
Humphrey Bogart began his education at Delancey School and studied there until fifth grade. After that, he was shifted first to the prestigious Trinity School and then in 1917 to the equally elite Phillips Academy. In 1918, he was expelled from school and joined the United States Navy. His time in the US Navy helped him develop a separate set of values independent of family influence. In 1919, once World War I ended, he was honorably discharged from the Navy.
Early Career
After returning home, Humphrey Bogart found his father sick and the family fortune diminished. He began looking for work and got an office job at World Film Corporation. He tried his hand at script writing and directing, but failed. It was William Brad Sr.’s daughter Alice who introduced Bogart to acting. He initially acted as her stage manager and made his stage debut in her production, Drifting, in 1921. More roles followed and Bogart persistently worked on his chosen field.
Transition to Hollywood
In 1928, Humphrey Bogart made his film debut with a short film called The Dancing Town, but concentrated mainly on stage. However, the stock market crash in 1929 had a negative impact on stage production and there was hardly any work. Therefore, Bogart set out for Hollywood. He co-starred in Up the River in 1930 and continued to act in a number of films, but could not make any impact. In 1934, he got the lead role in the Broadway play Invitation to Murder, which caught the attention of Hollywood directors.
Rise to Fame
When Warner Brothers decided to make a film based on the play The Petrified Forest in 1936, Humphrey Bogart was cast in the same role. The film made him famous and despite the success, Warner Brothers offered him a contract that typecast him as a gangster. From 1936 to 1940, Bogart made one movie every two months on average. He made a few noteworthy films during that period, including Black Legion, Dead End, and The Roaring Twenties.
Leading Man Status
In 1941, Bogart played the role of Roy Earle in High Sierra, which earned him critical acclaim. He also starred in Maltese Falcon, a classic noir film, and played the role of detective Sam Spade. These films effectively launched Bogart as a leading man. In 1942, he was cast as Rick Blaine in Casablanca, which earned him his first Oscar nomination. Bogart continued to play lead roles in films like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The African Queen.
Later Career and Legacy
Humphrey Bogart continued making movies until 1956. His last film, The Harder They Fall, earned him great critical acclaim. He made a significant impact as an actor and helped small-time movies achieve popularity. Over his career, he appeared in around 75 movies, with Casablanca, The Big Sleep, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre among his most famous works. In 1951, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The African Queen. Bogart is regarded as one of the greatest screen legends of the 20th century.
Personal Life and Legacy
Humphrey Bogart was married four times. His fourth and final marriage was to actress Lauren Bacall, with whom he had two children. Towards the end of his life, Bogart developed cancer of the esophagus and passed away on January 14, 1957. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a stamp bearing his image in the Legends of Hollywood series. A section of 103rd Street in New York City was also renamed Humphrey Bogart Place in his honor.