This day in 1957

   Humphrey Bogart Passes Away from Throat Cancer 

                   Bogart (pictured in middle), Audrey Hepburn (left), Lauren Bacall (right)

                  Not many people can say they are as revered as the legendary actor Humphrey Bogart, known for his roles as Rick Blaine in Casablanca (1942), The Big Sleep (1946). Today we remember him for what he truly stood for, a great actor who need no introduction. There are almost too many films to name which probably would have collapsed without the help of Bogie's acting chops. Listed as the best actor of all time on the American Film Institute's list of classic actors, it should shock nobody that he is number one. Quotes like "Here's to you, kid" have become so mainstream that many people don't even realize who first spoke those words. Born on Christmas Day 1899, Bogie grew up to be an iconic persona which still lives on today and it's probably a safe bet that Hollywood will never see another actor like him ever again. 

          Lauren Bacall remembers him as "a truly gentle soul" and misunderstood human being. Taking the part first given to George Raft as Rick Blaine in Casablanca (1942), it's a good thing Raft dropped out of the picture because we probably wouldn't be speaking about Bogie's legendary career right now. His last marriage to Lauren Bacall is something only fairy tales are made of and it endured during the 1950s when the "Red Scare" gripped American television screens across the country. Their marriage even endured when Bogart was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 1956, not being able to see his own children grow up. His children are still here today though and one of them even has his own film career to tend with on most days, Stephen Bogart. The other one, Leslie (named after Bogart's good friend and screen actor Leslie Howard, whom was killed during World War II) was married in 1990. With the saddened passing of Lauren Bacall earlier last year I thought it would be nice to celebrate not only the life but the sheer legendary status associated with Mr. Bogart. Their personal charisma is what made Hollywood shine to begin with.