Bob Hope has last laugh, dies aged 100

BOB HOPE, master of the one-liner and America’s favourite comedian, died with a smile on his face yesterday just months after celebrating his 100th birthday.

The famous entertainer delivered his final quip shortly before he died of pneumonia at his home in Toluca Lake, California, with his family at his bedside.

When his daughter Linda asked him where he wanted to be buried, Hope replied: “Surprise me.”

US President George W Bush led the tributes and said that the US had “lost a great citizen” with his death.

Hope excelled at a peculiarly American form of comedy. His mastery of the comic monologue and the topical wisecrack carried him from vaudeville to Broadway musicals and then on to worldwide fame as a radio, film and television star. He made an art and a vast fortune out of the delivery of the one-liner and thrived on applause.

Hope will be missed in Ireland not only among his friends in the golfing fraternity but also by the residents of Oughterard, Co Galway, where he was a frequent visitor. The comedian was a regular at Keogh’s Bar in the town.

“He was great friends with my father,” said bar owner Justin Keogh, whose late father, Michael, would often chat with the famous comedian for hours.

Bob Hope’s daughter, Linda, has a home in Oughterard and spends many months of the year there.

“I heard that he used to gather material everywhere but whether he found some material listening to people in the pub, I don’t know. The people of Oughterard will miss him,” Mr Keogh said.

Hope, whose career spanned 75 years, celebrated his 100th birthday last May.

He leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Dolores, four adopted children and four grandchildren.