Humphrey Bogart, whose full name was Humphrey DeForest Bogart, was an American actor who left an indelible mark on cinema history with the tough, cynical, and morally complex characters he portrayed. He became one of the most iconic figures of classical Hollywood and a defining symbol of the hard-boiled male persona in American film.

Humphrey Bogart was born on December 25, 1899, in New York City, into a wealthy and socially prominent family. His father, Belmont DeForest Bogart, was a respected heart surgeon, while his mother, Maud Humphrey, was a successful commercial illustrator and art director. Bogart was educated at prestigious institutions and attended Yale University briefly before leaving his studies. He later continued his education at the Phillips Academy in Andover.

In 1918, Humphrey Bogart served in the United States Navy during World War I. After returning to civilian life, he began working in theater in New York in the early 1920s. He transitioned to film in 1930, but for nearly a decade he appeared mostly in minor or supporting roles, often portraying criminals or rough-edged characters.

After years of typecasting, Bogart began to receive more substantial and convincing roles, frequently playing gangsters, adventurers, and combative anti-heroes. His breakthrough came with his performance in The Petrified Forest (1936), which firmly established his screen persona. His rise culminated in the early 1940s when he became one of Hollywood’s most powerful leading men.

In 1942, Humphrey Bogart starred opposite Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz. His portrayal of Rick Blaine turned him into a cinematic legend and made the film one of the most enduring classics in film history. Bogart followed this success with a series of iconic performances that defined film noir and adventure cinema.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Humphrey Bogart portrayed characters who concealed idealism beneath a stoic and emotionally restrained exterior. His heroes were individualistic, adventurous, and morally conflicted, qualities that resonated strongly with audiences. In his private life, he maintained a reserved and independent demeanor, rarely conforming to Hollywood conventions, and became a trailblazing figure in American cinema.

In 1952, Humphrey Bogart won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the drunken riverboat captain in The African Queen, in which he starred alongside Katharine Hepburn. This role remains one of the most celebrated performances of his career.

In 1947, Bogart founded his own production company, Santana Pictures, allowing him greater creative control over his projects. He was also deeply respected by his peers and audiences alike. On June 16, 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him first on its “AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Stars” list of male actors, while Katharine Hepburn topped the female category.

Between 1951 and 1952, Humphrey Bogart and his wife Lauren Bacall hosted the radio program Bold Venture. Their partnership became one of the most admired unions in Hollywood history.

Humphrey Bogart died on January 14, 1957, in Los Angeles at the age of 57 from esophageal cancer. His fame only grew after his death, as the Bogart legend continued through film revivals, posters, and the enduring image of him as a cinematic icon.

Marriages:
1926 – Married Helen Menken (divorced 1927)
1928 – Married Mary Philips (divorced 1937)
1938 – Married Mayo Methot (divorced 1945)
May 21, 1945 – Married actress and former model Lauren Bacall; the couple had two children: Stephen Humphrey Bogart (born 1949) and Leslie Howard Bogart (born 1952)

Selected Filmography:
1928 – The Dancing Town
1934 – Midnight
1936 – The Petrified Forest
1937 – Kid Galahad
1937 – Dead End
1938 – Angels with Dirty Faces
1939 – The Oklahoma Kid
1940 – Brother Orchid
1941 – The Maltese Falcon
1942 – Across the Pacific
1942 – Casablanca
1943 – Sahara
1944 – To Have and Have Not
1946 – The Big Sleep
1948 – The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
1948 – Key Largo
1951 – The African Queen
1954 – Beat the Devil
1954 – The Caine Mutiny
1954 – Sabrina
1954 – The Barefoot Contessa
1956 – The Desperate Hours
1956 – The Harder They Fall

Source: Biyografiler.com