It’s no overstatement to say Bob Hope, who was born 122 years ago on May 29, 1903, entertained generations of fans. The comedian died a centenarian in 2003, and he spent many of those 100 years in the limelight.

Many people know the broad strokes of Hope’s life story: Born in England but raised in Ohio, Hope went from vaudeville fame to radio and TV superstardom, became a repeat host of the Academy Awards, and entertained the U.S. troops in dozens of USO tours.