Let’s talk about Bob Hope, one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived. You might not know this, but Bob’s family rarely gathered around the tree on December 25. Why? Because Bob was almost always overseas, entertaining American troops. "My dad's return was always a big deal," says his daughter, Linda Hope, in an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly. "We usually celebrated Christmas with a big dinner sometime between Christmas and New Year's Day. It was always a joyous occasion when he came home."
From London to America: Bob Hope's Love for the U.S.
Even though Bob was born in London, his family moved to the United States when he was just a toddler. "He adored this country," says Martha Bolton, the first woman to join Bob’s writing staff, in Closer’s latest issue, which you can grab at your local newsstand. "He loved what America stood for—opportunities, freedom, and the American Dream." Bob’s bond with the U.S. military was something truly special, and Linda and Martha share that story in their new book, Dear Bob … Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of World War II.
These letters meant the world to Bob. "He received thousands of letters each week, sometimes up to 38,000," Martha reveals. "He tried his best to respond to as many as possible. Handwritten letters were especially cherished," adds Linda. She shares this vast collection of Bob’s personal correspondence for the very first time in the book, offering readers a glimpse into the heart and soul of a man who touched so many lives.
Read also:The Views Big Move Why It Was A Gamechanger For The Show
Bob’s Debut with the USO: The Start of Something Special
Bob’s connection with the U.S. military deepened when he was asked to perform his first USO show in California during World War II. "It all began at March Field on May 6, 1941," Martha explains. "At first, like any comic, he thought, 'I love this audience.' But as he saw the sacrifices these soldiers were making and realized the responsibility he had toward them, his feelings only grew stronger." Bob didn’t see himself as just an entertainer; he saw himself as a source of comfort, laughter, and a reminder of home for the troops.
More Than Just Entertainment
Bob’s work wasn’t limited to the stage. Some of his most important moments were offstage, visiting wounded G.I.s in field hospitals, putting on small shows in the back of a Jeep for a company in the middle of nowhere, or ferrying a letter from the battlefield home to a soldier’s family. "Bob was the connection that saw a lot of people through the war," Martha says. "He gave them hope and a reason to believe that there was another day ahead of them."
