17. Born in London in 1903, which centenarian had a brief career as a boxer before becoming an all-round entertainer, author of 14 books and travelled many "Roads"?
From Quiz Long Way From Home
Answer:
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, born Leslie Townes Hope, was the 5th of 7 brothers, born in Eltham, London in 1903. His family migrated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1908, where Leslie started busking when he was 12. When he was 16 he had 4 professional boxing bouts, winning 3 and quitting with his first loss.
Hope went on to a career in Vaudeville and films, starring with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour in the "Road to.." series of comedy films. He started entertaining the US forces in 1941 and had a reputation for going to any field of war to support "the troops". He continued in this work beyond the age of 75, and made cameo appearances till his later years, dying at the age of 100 at his home in California in 2003.