Bob Hope

Comedian, Actor, Golf Enthusiast, Desert Philanthropist
(1903–2003)
Palm Springs Resident Since the 1940s

Who He Was:
Born Leslie Townes Hope in London and raised in Cleveland, Bob Hope became an American icon through vaudeville, radio, film, and decades of television. With a lightning-fast wit and an unmatched knack for timing, he entertained generations. But beyond the stage and screen, Hope was also a devoted golfer and a passionate advocate for U.S. troops, traveling the world on countless USO tours.

Hope first arrived in Palm Springs in the 1940s, drawn to the warm climate and quiet glamour of the desert. He quickly became part of the city’s social fabric, building a stunning futuristic home in Southridge in 1979, designed by architect John Lautner—a structure that remains one of the most photographed in Palm Springs.

Why He Matters:
Bob Hope didn’t just live in the desert—he helped define its postwar identity. In 1965, he agreed to attach his name and clout to the Palm Springs Golf Classic, rebranding it as the Bob Hope Desert Classic. Unlike other PGA Tour events, Hope’s tournament was a celebrity-laced showcase of golf, charity, and entertainment, bringing together pros, politicians, and Hollywood stars for a good cause. The tournament became a nationally televised symbol of Palm Springs’ unique blend of leisure and glamour.

Beyond the fairways, Hope raised millions for charity and tirelessly supported veterans and military families. His love for the Coachella Valley went hand in hand with his mission to use laughter and community to bring people together.

Legacy Today:
Bob Hope’s legacy remains woven into the desert’s identity. His name lives on through Bob Hope Drive, a major thoroughfare that links Rancho Mirage to Palm Desert. The golf tournament he helped elevate continues today as The American Express, still infused with the celebrity sparkle and charitable roots he established.

His Southridge estate remains a local landmark, perched like a spaceship above the valley floor—a reminder of both his larger-than-life presence and his deep ties to Palm Springs history. Bob Hope wasn’t just a visitor—he was a desert pioneer of entertainment, golf, and generosity whose spirit still echoes across the Coachella Valley.