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Humphrey Bogart Born: Hollywood Legend's Birthday
The iconic actor was born on December 25, 1899
Humphrey Bogart, one of Hollywood's greatest actors, was born on December 25, 1899. He became a cultural icon starring in Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon.
Key Facts
Born
December 25, 1899 in New York City
Most Famous Role
Rick Blaine in Casablanca (1942)
Academy Award
Best Actor for The African Queen (1951)
Film Noir Icon
Starred in The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep
Nickname
Bogie
Career Span
1920s to 1950s
Famous Quote
Here's looking at you, kid
Total Films
Over 75 movies
About Humphrey Bogart Born: Hollywood Legend's Birthday
Humphrey Bogart was born on December 25, 1899, in New York City and became one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history. His tough guy persona, distinctive voice, and unforgettable performances made him a cultural legend whose influence continues today.
Early Life and Theater Beginnings
Bogart grew up in an upper middle class family in New York City. He joined the United States Navy in 1918 during World War I, serving on the USS Leviathan. He started as a stage manager and gradually moved into acting roles on Broadway during the 1920s.
Breakthrough in Film Noir
Bogart moved to Hollywood in the 1930s but spent years playing small supporting roles and gangster heavies in B movies. His big break came in 1941 when director John Huston cast him as private detective Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon. He continued the film noir trend with classics like The Big Sleep in 1946, where he played detective Philip Marlowe opposite Lauren Bacall.
Casablanca and Legendary Status
Bogart achieved true immortality with Casablanca in 1942. His portrayal of Rick Blaine, the cynical American nightclub owner in wartime Morocco, created one of cinema's most enduring characters. Casablanca won the Academy Award for Best Picture and made Bogart a household name worldwide.
Romance with Lauren Bacall
Bogart met 19 year old model and aspiring actress Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not in 1944. Despite their 25 year age difference, they fell deeply in love. Bogart divorced his third wife and married Bacall in 1945.
Oscar Win and Later Career
Bogart finally won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1952 for The African Queen, playing a rough riverboat captain opposite Katharine Hepburn. The role required him to film in difficult conditions in the African jungle. By the mid 1950s, Bogart was one of Hollywood's highest paid actors and had his pick of roles.
Enduring Cultural Impact
Bogart died of throat cancer in 1957 at age 57, cutting short a remarkable career. His influence on cinema and popular culture remains immense. The American Film Institute named him the greatest male star in American film history in 1999.
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Historical Analysis
⚡Historical Significance
- •
Bogart defined the tough guy antihero that dominated American cinema for decades.
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His career demonstrated that unconventional leading men could achieve superstar status.
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Casablanca's success during World War II made Bogart a symbol of American resolve.
📝Critical Reception
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Critics initially typecast Bogart as a supporting villain before recognizing his leading man potential.
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His naturalistic acting style influenced the Method actors who followed.
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Posthumous recognition elevated him above many contemporaries who were more celebrated during his lifetime.
🌍Cultural Impact
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Phrases like Here's looking at you, kid entered everyday language through his films.
- •
The Bogart tough guy persona influenced countless actors and characters.
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His romance with Lauren Bacall became one of Hollywood's great love stories.
Before & After
📅Before
Before Bogart's breakthrough, Hollywood leading men were typically handsome, athletic, and conventionally romantic. Character actors like Bogart were confined to supporting villain roles.
🚀After
After The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca, Bogart redefined what a leading man could be. His success opened doors for unconventional stars and proved that charisma mattered more than conventional good looks.
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Did You Know?
•
Humphrey Bogart was born on December 25, 1899, the same day celebrated as Christmas
•
The American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the number one male star in American film history
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Bogart's famous line Here's looking at you, kid from Casablanca became one of cinema's most quoted phrases
•
He met his wife Lauren Bacall when she was 19 and he was 44 on the set of To Have and Have Not
•
Bogart won his only Academy Award for The African Queen in 1952 after three nominations
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Why It Still Matters Today
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The AFI ranked Bogart as the greatest male star in American film history
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Casablanca consistently ranks among the greatest films ever made
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His films remain popular on streaming platforms decades after his death
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The Bogart persona continues to influence how masculinity is portrayed in cinema
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Test Your Knowledge
How much do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out!
1. When was Humphrey Bogart born?
2. How is Bogart ranked among male film stars?
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Original Insights
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Bogart spent years playing forgettable gangster villains before The Maltese Falcon breakthrough
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He was 25 years older than Lauren Bacall when they met and fell in love on set
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His distinctive lip scar came from a naval injury during World War I
Frequently Asked Questions
Humphrey Bogart was born on December 25, 1899, in New York City. He grew up in an upper middle class family. His father was a surgeon and his mother was an illustrator. Bogart struggled in school and eventually joined the Navy during World War I.
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Sources & References
This article is reviewed by the Pagefacts team.
Editorial Approach:
This article explores how a journeyman villain actor became the greatest male star in American film history through iconic roles in film noir and wartime romance.
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