It’s been 15 years since Bob Hope died at the age of 100, and nearly all of us have memories about the Hollywood icon. He was born as Leslie Townes in Eltham, England, and came to the U.S. as a child. He is known for his road films with co-stars Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour as well as countless USO tours.

His signature tune “Thanks for the Memory” was introduced by him in 1938, and we all know he’s left us with plenty of memories too. He’s starred in a variety of projects ranging from Vaudeville to the comedy acts that he turned to in the late 1920’s. He did a 12-year stint at NBC’s radio network and even had an amateur boxing career for a while.

He made scores of overseas trips to entertain American troops and loved to play golf. He and Billy Graham even golfed together at the Byron Nelson Golf Classic Pro-Am in Dallas on May 5, 1971.

Hope had strong relationships with several U.S. Presidents and first ladies. He danced with former First Lady Betty Ford and visited Betty at the hospital after she had surgery for breast cancer. He was good friends with Ronald and Nancy Reagan as well as President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara.

When it came to comedy, Hope was up for nearly anything. In one show, he was made up as an angel for a comedy mystery series, and in another, he appeared as Prince Charming with Phyllis Diller. He ad libbed his way through a “Tea for Two” skit on the “Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in February 1982.

Hope took part in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, by escorting the official mascot, Sam, down city hall stairs. Country singer Dottie West once tried to teach Hope how to play the guitar for his “Stars Over Texas” special, and West even uses a toy gun to try to convince him to try a bit harder with his lesson.

The comedian we all grew to know and love traveled all over the world and even shook hands with Soviet Union soldiers outside the Kremlin gates on the Red Square at the age of 76. He was even on hand and kissed a bust of himself at the Bob Hope USO building, an information and referral center for military service members and their families.

Hope and his wife, Dolores, were married in 1934. They made their home in California and were both honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, him for his entertainment career and her for her singing career.

What a walk through time. Be sure to share this story with your family and friends so they can take a trip down memory lane too!