Humphrey Bogart Biography: A Legend of Hollywood’s Golden Age

Humphrey Bogart was one of the most iconic leading men of Hollywood’s Golden Age. With his unforgettable performances, distinctive style, and unique charisma, he left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. This biography will explore the life and career of Humphrey Bogart, from his early years to his rise to stardom, memorable roles, and lasting impact on the world of entertainment.

Early life and family

Humphrey DeForest Bogart was born on December 25, 1899, in New York City to Belmont DeForest Bogart and Maud Humphrey. His father was a successful physician, and his mother was a commercial illustrator. Bogart’s parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised primarily by his mother.

Education and early career

Bogart attended elite schools, including Trinity School and Phillips Academy Andover. However, he struggled academically and was expelled from Andover. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I, Bogart pursued a career in acting.

Bogart’s early acting experiences were modest, with small roles in Broadway productions. He also worked various odd jobs to make ends meet. In 1930, Bogart made his film debut in the short film “Up the River.” He went on to play supporting roles in several films throughout the early 1930s.

Breakthrough role and rise to stardom

Bogart’s breakthrough role came in 1936 with the film “The Petrified Forest.” His performance as Duke Mantee, a gangster on the run, earned him critical acclaim and led to better opportunities. In 1941, Bogart starred as Sam Spade in “The Maltese Falcon,” which cemented his status as a leading man. His iconic portrayal of the tough-talking private detective is considered one of the greatest performances in film history.

The following year, Bogart starred in the classic film “Casablanca.” His performance as Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate caught in a moral dilemma, is one of the most iconic in cinema. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it cemented Bogart’s status as one of Hollywood‘s biggest stars.

Iconic roles and collaborations

Throughout the 1940s, Bogart starred in several other iconic films, including “To Have and Have Not” (1944), “The Big Sleep” (1946), and “Key Largo” (1948). He was known for his tough-guy persona, complete with the trademark fedora and cigarette. Bogart also starred opposite his wife, actress Lauren Bacall, in several films, including “To Have and Have Not” and “The Big Sleep.” Their on-screen chemistry and real-life romance made them one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples.

Bogart collaborated with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his era, including John Huston, Howard Hawks, and William Wyler. He was also a founding member of the independent production company Santana Pictures, which produced several of his films, including “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (1948) and “In a Lonely Place” (1950).

Academy award win and later career

In 1951, Bogart won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “The African Queen.” He continued to star in films throughout the 1950s, including “Sabrina” (1954) and “The Caine Mutiny” (1954). However, his health began to decline in the late 1950s, and he passed away on January 14, 1957, at the age of 57.

Humphrey Bogart Salaries

Humphrey Bogart was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood during his career. In 1942, he was the first actor to earn $1 million for a single film, for his role in Casablanca. He continued to earn huge salaries for the rest of his career and was one of the highest paid actors in the world when he died in 1957.

Here is a list of some of Humphrey Bogart’s salaries for his most famous films:

• The Maltese Falcon (1941): $25,000
• Casablanca (1942): $1 million
• The Big Sleep (1946): $350,000
• Dark Passage (1947): $400,000
• Key Largo (1948): $500,000
• The African Queen (1951): $750,000
• Beat the Devil (1953): $850,000
• Sabrina (1954): $1 million
• The Left Hand of God (1955): $900,000
• We’re No Angels (1955): $1 million

In addition to his salary, Bogart also received a percentage of the profits from many of his films. This meant that he earned even more money on his most successful films.

For example, he earned an estimated $2 million from Casablanca and $1.5 million from The Maltese Falcon. In today’s dollars, Bogart’s $1 million salary for Casablanca would be equivalent to over $15 million. His total earnings from his acting career would be equivalent to over $75 million.

Legacy and impact

Humphrey Bogart is remembered as one of the greatest actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age. His unforgettable performances, distinctive style, and unique charisma made him one of the most beloved and enduring figures in cinematic history. Bogart’s legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide, and his name will forever shine brightly among the stars of Hollywood’s golden era.

Humphrey Bogart’s filmography

Humphrey Bogart acted in around 75 films over the course of his career, spanning from the 1920s to the 1950s. Here is a list of Humphrey Bogart’s filmography:

• Up the River (1930): A short film about a group of young men who are sent to prison for minor offenses. Bogart plays a supporting role as a gangster.
• A Devil with Women (1930): A romantic comedy about a man who is caught in a love triangle between two women. Bogart plays a minor role as a gambler.
• Body and Soul (1931): A boxing drama about a fighter who rises to the top of the sport, but his success comes at a price. Bogart plays a supporting role as a crooked fight promoter.
• Public Enemy (1931): A gangster film about the rise and fall of a notorious gangster. Bogart plays a minor role as a police officer.
• Black Legion (1937): A drama about a secret society that promotes racism and violence. Bogart plays a supporting role as a detective who investigates the group.
• Dead End (1937): A crime drama about a group of young men who are growing up in a tough neighborhood. Bogart plays a supporting role as a gangster who tries to recruit one of the young men into his gang.
• The Petrified Forest (1936): A crime drama about a gangster who goes on the run and takes refuge in a small town. Bogart plays a supporting role as the gangster, which was his breakthrough role.
• Marked Woman (1937): A crime drama about a district attorney who takes on a powerful crime syndicate. Bogart plays a supporting role as a gangster who works for the syndicate.
• Angels with Dirty Faces (1938): A crime drama about two childhood friends who take different paths in life, one becoming a priest and the other a gangster. Bogart plays a supporting role as the gangster.
• The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938): A crime drama about a psychiatrist who is blackmailed into helping a gangster. Bogart plays a supporting role as the gangster.
• High Sierra (1941): A crime drama about a gangster who is released from prison and tries to go straight, but his past catches up with him. Bogart plays the lead role as the gangster.
• The Maltese Falcon (1941): A detective film about a private detective who is hired to find a priceless statue. Bogart plays the lead role as the private detective, Sam Spade.
• Casablanca (1942): A romantic drama about an American expatriate who is caught in a moral dilemma when his former love arrives in Casablanca with her husband. Bogart plays the lead role as Rick Blaine.
• Across the Pacific (1942): A war drama about a group of American soldiers who are sent to infiltrate a Japanese-occupied island. Bogart plays the lead role as a soldier who is tasked with leading the mission.
• Sahara (1943): A war drama about a group of American soldiers who are stranded in the Sahara Desert. Bogart plays the lead role as the commander of the group.
• To Have and Have Not (1944): A crime drama about an American expatriate who is involved in the black market during World War II. Bogart plays the lead role as the expatriate, Harry Morgan.
• The Big Sleep (1946): A detective film about a private detective who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman. Bogart plays the lead role as the private detective, Philip Marlowe.
• Dark Passage (1947): A crime drama about a man who is wrongly convicted of murder and escapes from prison to clear his name. Bogart plays the lead role as the escaped convict.
• Key Largo (1948): A crime drama about a group of people who are trapped in a hotel during a hurricane with a dangerous gangster. Bogart plays the lead role as the gangster.
• The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948): A Western drama about a group of prospectors who search for gold in the Sierra Madre mountains. Bogart plays the lead role as one of the prospectors.
• In a Lonely Place (1950): A crime drama about a down-on-his-luck screenwriter who is suspected of murder. Bogart plays the lead role as the screenwriter.
• The African Queen (1951): An adventure drama about a riverboat captain who helps a missionary woman escape from Africa during World War I. Bogart plays the lead role as the riverboat captain.
• Sabrina (1954): A romantic comedy about a young woman who falls in love with her older brother’s chauffeur.
• The Caine Mutiny (1954) – Bogart plays Captain Queeg, a paranoid and unstable commanding officer of a Navy minesweeper.
• We’re No Angels (1955) – Bogart stars as Joseph, a convict who escapes from prison with two other men and disguises himself as a priest.
• The Left Hand of God (1955) – Bogart plays James Dunn, an American adventurer who is hired to help the Chinese government fight a rebellion.
• Beat the Devil (1955) – Bogart stars as Billy Dannreuther, a British expatriate who is involved in a scheme to defraud an insurance company.
• The Harder They Fall (1956) – Bogart plays Eddie Willis, a sportswriter who gets involved in a boxing match.
• Around the World in 80 Days (1956) – Bogart has a cameo appearance as a card player.

This is just a selection of Bogart’s most notable films. He also appeared in many other films throughout his career, including:

• The D.A.’s Man (1932)
• Rackety Raxtor (1932)
• Love Affair (1932)
• Midnight (1934)
• The Case of the Curious Bride (1935)
• Bullets or Ballots (1936)
• Black Legion (1937)
• Marked Woman (1937)
• Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
• The Roaring Twenties (1939)
• Virginia City (1940)
• They Drive by Night (1940)
• All Through the Night (1942)
• Across the Pacific (1942)
• Sahara (1943)
• Passage to Marseille (1944)
• Conflict (1945)
• Dead Reckoning (1947)
• Knock on Any Door (1949)
• Tokyo Joe (1949)
• Sirocco (1951)

Humphrey Bogart net worth

Humphrey Bogart’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be around $5 million. This would be equivalent to around $35 million in today’s dollars. His wealth came from his successful career as an actor. He starred in many popular films, including Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon.

Additional information about Humphrey Bogart

• Bogart was a heavy smoker and drinker, which contributed to his early death from esophageal cancer.
• He was a politically active individual who spoke out against McCarthyism and the House Un-American Activities Committee.
• He was also a philanthropist who supported various charities, including the Actors’ Fund of America and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Conclusion

Humphrey Bogart was a true icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age. His films continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, and his legacy continues to inspire and entertain. Bogart was a gifted actor, a charismatic star, and a compassionate human being.

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Humphrey Bogart, along with their answers: