Why Marlon Brando Reserved His Harshest Words for Bob Hope
Marlon Brando, often hailed as the greatest actor of his era, was never comfortable with the spotlight. His outspoken criticism of Bob Hope reveals a deeper disdain for Hollywood’s obsession with fame and applause.
Marlon Brando’s relationship with fame was anything but typical. While most would revel in being called the best in their field, Brando found the label suffocating. He once joked that his dog, Tim, deserved the title of world’s greatest actor more than he did. Despite winning two Academy Awards and changing the face of acting, he shied away from the praise and the constant attention that came with it.
Brando’s Discomfort with Hollywood ’s Ego
Hollywood is notorious for its oversized egos, and Brando’s discomfort with the industry’s self-congratulation only grew over time. Early in his career, he was passionate about acting, but as the years passed, his enthusiasm faded. The longer he stayed in the business, the more he became known for being difficult on set and irritable off camera. Instead of celebrating the art form, he often found himself complaining about the state of modern movies and the people who thrived in the spotlight.
Bob Hope: The Target of Brando’s Scorn
One of Brando’s most pointed criticisms was aimed at Bob Hope, a beloved entertainer whose career spanned vaudeville, film, TV, and theater. Hope was a fixture in American entertainment, hosting the Oscars 19 times, supporting the troops with nearly 60 tours, and earning five honorary Academy Awards. Yet, Brando saw him as someone who clung to the limelight far too long.
“Bob Hope will go to the opening of a phone booth in a gas station in Anaheim, providing they have a camera there and three people,”
Brando once remarked.
“He’ll go to the opening of a market and receive an award. It’s pathetic. It’s a bottomless pit. A barrel that has no floor.”
Applause Addiction and Public Persona
Brando’s issue wasn’t with Hope’s talent or personality, but with his relentless pursuit of public approval.
“He must be a man who has an ever-crumbling estimation of himself,”
Brando said.
“He’s constantly filling himself up. He’s like a junkie, an applause junkie, like Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy desperately longs to be loved, approved of.”
Even as he dragged other stars into his critique, Brando’s main focus remained on Hope’s inability to step away from the spotlight.
He went on,
“Bob Hope, Christ, instead of growing old gracefully or doing something with his money, be helpful, all he does is he has an anniversary with the president looking on. It’s sad.”
In Brando’s eyes, Hope was simply
“a pathetic guy.”
Despite Brando’s harsh words in the late 1970s, Hope continued his public appearances for another twenty years before finally retiring.