California, July 31: The bright lights of Broadway dimmed for one minute on Tuesday (July 29) out of respect for entertainer Bob Hope. As the lights of Broadway's theaters, including the Schubert and the Majestic and famed post-show eateries like Sardi's went out for one full minute, New Yorkers and tourists alike shared a moment of relative silence.


Bob Hope died from pneumonia on Sunday (July 27, 2003) at his home in Toluca Lake, California. He was 100 years old.


Many passersby noted that they'd come to Broadway on Tuesday evening specifically to be a part of this moving memorial to America's most beloved comedian, Bob Hope who over the course of his multi faceted career, made a name for himself on Broadway, starring in successful shows like "Ziegfield Follies" and "Roberta."

Tourist Kathy Able, who was visiting from Minnesota, said it was an honor for her to be on Broadway for the dimming of the lights.



"I just think it was really special and heartwarming we just came down to see it and to be a part of everything."



Kari Graftstrom, also visiting from out of town, said the dimming of the lights was a great symbol of respect for one of America's most famous entertainers. "Yeah, it kind of gives a moment of remembrance, you know, like the moment of silence they do, obviously you can't do silence here but you can dim the lights and get everybody to remember a moment or something about him."


Victor Mendes, who works as a doorman for the famous Sardi's restaurant in Shubert Alley and has witnessed the dimming of the lights for personalities such as the recently deceased Katherine Hepburn, said it is a great tradition, one that Hope was worthy of.


"It's nice to know that he got that much respect from everybody because he's given us a lot in the years that he'd lived and during the wars, entertaining the soldiers, bringing laughter to our homes and stuff like that. It's nice that when you die somebody remembers you." The consummate entertainer, Bob Hope went on to dominate radio, television, Broadway and Hollywood resulting in four stars dedicated to his name on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame where fans placed floral tributes and candles in memory of him.

Hope was born in England 100 years ago, but became America's signature funny man, lampooning presidents, movie stars and himself with cutting one-liners in a career that spanned seven decades.



While successful on the big screen and stage, Hope loved performing for U.S. troops around the world during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the first Gulf War.


Bureau Report