Moving to Manhattan, Hope hit it big in Jerome Kern's 1933 Broadway musical Roberta, where a costar introduced him to nightclub singer Dolores Reade. Hope always swore that his first words to her were, "Can I take you home?" They were married within three months. Dolores gave up nightlife for family life: The Hopes adopted four children, starting in 1939 with Linda, then Tony, 63, a lawyer; Nora, 57, a homemaker; and Kelly, 57, a journalist.

Hope's success grew even faster than his family. In 1938 he landed his own radio program and made his first movie. The Big Broadcast of 1938 featured Hope and costar Shirley Ross crooning the song that would become his signature, "Thanks for the Memory."

Though not all his films were memorable, Hope rated among the Top 10 box office draws from 1941 through 1953. He would also become a huge draw on the small screen through his frequent NBC specials, starting in the 1950s. In 1969 they accounted for six of the year's 11 top-rated shows.

Hope kept up the grueling schedule of TV specials, benefits and tributes. In 1989, at age 86, he had 190 nights booked on the road. "He couldn't survive without (performing)," Bing Crosby once explained. "Applause, laughter and commendation are food and drink to him."

But age finally caught up with him. Andy Williams, who last saw Hope three years ago, says, "He didn't remember me. He couldn't see or hear well. Dolores would say, 'Bob, it's Andy.' And Bob would say, 'Oh, yeah,' but he had no clue." He spent his final years at home in Toluca Lake with Dolores, their kids and four grandchildren. When the end finally came, at 9:28 p.m., "I can't tell you how beautiful and peaceful it was," said Linda. "He left us with a smile on his face and no real last words. He gave us each a kiss and that was it."

Still, Hope, whose private funeral will be followed by a public memorial service in L.A. Aug. 27, may have left behind one last joke for the occasion. "I do benefits for all religions," he once said. "I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality."

– MICHAEL A. LIPTON
– VICKI SHEFF-CAHAN, LORENZO BENET, PAMELA WARRICK, JOHN HANNAH and FRANK SWERTLOW in Los Angeles, SHARON COTLIAR and ANNE DRISCOLL in New York City and MACON MOREHOUSE in Washington, D.C.

This is an online excerpt of PEOPLE magazine's cover package.

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Tribute: Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memory