Born on Christmas day in 1899 to a prominent New York family, Humphrey Bogart emerged from a minor theatrical career in the 1920's to become one of Hollywood's most distinctive leading men of the 40s and 50s, principally through his often-revived appearances in The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942), and his Oscar-winning The African Queen (1951). 

Though initially typecast as one of Warner Bros. tough guy/gangsters in the 30s, during and after WWII the "Bogie" persona grew into more fully developed anti-hero and reluctant hero personifications. Although he continually played men with criminal pasts, Bogart created a rich and complex screen image that stood as a visual and cultural icon for the "noir" side of Hollywood: his hangdog expression, perennial five-o'clock shadow, and dangling cigarette came to signify the world-weary cynic, the staid, self-reliant individualist who was at heart a moral, even sentimental human being. Whether portraying ex-con, war hero, detective or more offbeat characters, this combination of traits ultimately gave Bogart a romantic appeal of immense proportions, an appeal that has remained powerful with subsequent generations of moviegoers while other box office star images of the golden age have faded. 

After military service in WWI, Bogart embarked on a theatrical career, first as a manager, then as an actor who worked his way to Broadway. Like many of his colleagues he traveled to Hollywood in the early 30s looking for employment in early sound films. From his earliest movie appearances Bogart portrayed gritty characters with criminal connections, as in Up the River 1930, a prison film starring Spencer Tracy. After signing a contract with
Warner Bros. the studio most closely associated with the tough guy image via its stars Edward G. Robinson and Jimmy Cagney that reputation was only enhanced. Working simultaneously on Broadway and in film, Bogart appeared in ten minor movie roles before his breakthrough performances in The Petrified Forest (1936). Reprising the Broadway success of Robert Sherwood's play, Bogart portrayed Duke Mantee, an escaped convict/gangster who holds several people hostage in an Arizona diner. The tough but intelligent performance brought him popularity and a featured player contract with Warner Bros. for $550 a week.
 

CAREER SUMMARY 

He was born the son of a surgeon and a magazine illustrator.
He was being prepped to go to Yale and the Phillips Academy when he was expelled for playing a prank.
He served in the Navy in World War I. He received a permanent scar on his lip from a wood splinter while in the Navy.
After the war, he tried film producing and stage managing but he was not a major success at either.
He moved to acting on stage where he discovered and refined his talents.
He was 31 years old when he made his first movie, "Broadway's Like That".
His film acting career turned around when he made the film "High Sierra".
After he did "Casablanca", for the next seven years (1943-1949), he ranked among the top ten biggest money making stars.
In 1945 he married actress Lauren Bacall.
In 1947 he started his own film company, Santana Pictures.
His last picture "The Harder They Fall" was released in 1956.
1992 was the 50th Anniversary of the release of Casablanca.