Humphrey Bogart Biography

While serving he was wounded in the shelling of the Leviathan; the resulting slight paralysis caused his signature snarl and lisp.

From 1920 to 1922 he managed a stage company owned by a family friend, performing a variety of tasks at Brady's film studio in New York. He began regular stage performances, but a critic described his acting as "inadequate".

In 1930 he got a contract with Fox and débuted in a 10 minute short film, 'Broadway's Like That'. However, Fox released him after two years.

After five more years of minor roles, he broke through with 'The Petrified Forest', (1936) and the movie led to a long-term contract with Warner.

From 1936 to 1940 he appeared in 28 films, usually as a gangster, twice in Westerns. 1941 was his landmark year, first in 'High Sierra', and then as Sam Spade in 'The Maltese Falcon'. These were followed by 'Casablanca '(1942), and '0038355' and 'Key Largo' in 1948.

Bogart was married three times, but only his marriage to actress Lauren Bacall lasted.

In 1947, he joined other stars to protest the witch hunts of the House Un-American Activities Committee. He also formed his own production company and the next year made 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre'.

"Bogey" received the Best Actor Academy Award for 'The African Queen', (1951) and nominations for 'Casablanca' (1942) and 'The Caine Mutiny', (1954), a film made when he was already seriously ill.

He died in his sleep at his Hollywood home, in January 1957, following an operation for throat cancer. His coffin contains a small, gold whistle, put there by Bacall.