Humphrey Bogart

245 W103 St Bogie plaque jeh

Maud Humphrey from American Women, 1897 (cropped)

Humphrey Bogart yearbook photo - 1918

Swifty Humphrey Bogart 1922 newspaper

Up the River (film poster)

Humphrey Bogart (December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957) was an iconic American actor whose career spanned over three decades. Bogart's performances in Classical Hollywood cinema made him a cultural icon and one of the greatest male stars of American cinema. He is best known for his roles in films such as The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942), and The African Queen (1951), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Early Life

Humphrey DeForest Bogart was born in New York City to Belmont DeForest Bogart, a wealthy surgeon, and Maud Humphrey, a renowned magazine illustrator. Bogart was educated at Trinity School, NYC, and later attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, before joining the United States Navy during World War I.

Career

After his service, Bogart ventured into acting, making his Broadway debut in 1921. However, his breakthrough came in the 1930s when he transitioned to Hollywood. Initially cast in secondary roles, Bogart's career took a significant turn with his performance in The Petrified Forest (1936), leading to a contract with Warner Bros.

Bogart's portrayal of tough, cynical characters in a series of crime dramas, including High Sierra (1941) and The Maltese Falcon, established his persona as the quintessential film noir antihero. His role in Casablanca, as the world-weary, morally ambiguous Rick Blaine, further solidified his star status.

In the 1950s, Bogart continued to expand his range, starring in the romantic adventure The African Queen, for which he received his only Academy Award. His later works included performances in Sabrina (1954), The Caine Mutiny (1954), and The Harder They Fall (1956), his final film.

Personal Life

Bogart was married four times, most notably to actress Lauren Bacall, with whom he had two children. Their on-screen chemistry in films such as To Have and Have Not (1944) and The Big Sleep (1946) translated into a celebrated off-screen romance and marriage.

Legacy

Humphrey Bogart's impact on film and culture is enduring. He was named the greatest male star of classic American cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999. Bogart's style, characterized by his distinctive voice and stoic demeanor, has influenced countless actors and remains emblematic of a bygone era of Hollywood.

Death

Bogart died on January 14, 1957, from esophageal cancer. He was 57 years old. His death marked the end of an era in American cinema.

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