Bob Hope's Comedy Writer to Make South Pasadena Library Author Night

Bob Hope (1903-2003) has been cited by the “Guinness Book of World Records” as being the most honored entertainer in the world. Although he used to joke about not receiving an Oscar, many of those quips came during his 18 times hosting the Academy Awards television broadcast. Hope was the recipient of more than 200 prestigious honors during his lifetime, including the Congressional Gold Medal. He has a battleship named after him, there’s Bob Hope Square at the corner of Hollywood and Vine, and of course the airport in Burbank bears his name.

During his incredibly long and successful run in show business, Bob Hope authored 16 books and more notably appeared in more than 70 motion pictures and almost uncountable numbers of television shows. He achieved many entertainment milestones including his appearance on the West Coast’s first commercial TV broadcast on KTLA in Los Angeles in 1947.  For decades, Bob Hope was considered to possess the most recognizable profile in the world and many believe that in the entire history of show business, no other individual has traveled so far to entertain so many. This accolade refers in great part to Hope’s work with the US Armed Forces and as headliner in 199 USO shows.  Year after year during the '60s, '70s and '80s, the Bob Hope Show was one of the most-watched programs on television and in 2006, Bob Hope celebrated 60 years with NBC.

It would be impossible to calculate how many laughs Bob Hope garnered during his 10-decade career in show business. But it’s clear that he needed huge quantities of jokes, one-liners and comedy sketches. Bob Mills, one of Hope’s comedy writers for 17 years, has authored “The Laugh Makers: A Behind the Scenes Tribute to Bob Hope’s Incredible Gag Writers.” None other than Leonard Maltin called it one of 2009’s Top 20 entertainment books.

Bob Mills will be making an Author Night appearance in the Community Room on Thursday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. The free program is for all ages and co-sponsored by the who will also provide refreshments. The program will feature film clips of some of the funniest moments of the Bob Hope Show and conclude with an audience Q & A and book signing. is located at 115 El Centro Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and no tickets or reservations are required.