Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall Biographies

One of the Most Well-Known Celebrity Couples in Hollywood History

Oct 12, 2008 Susan Keeping

Lauren Bacall was Humphrey Bogart's fourth wife, yet he considered her to be the love of his life.

When Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall met she was nineteen and he was forty-five. They met on the set of the film To Have and Have Not in 1944; Bogart was almost instantly smitten with the former model. They became romantically involved even though Bogart was still married to his third wife, Mayo Methot. Methot and Bogart had been described as "the battling Bogart's" and some of their public arguments were infamous. Bogart and Bacall were married on a farm in Lucas, Ohio on May 21, 1945 three months after his divorce from Methot became final.

Movies Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall Made Together

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall made four films together. As previously mentioned, they appeared in the film To Have and Have Not together in 1944, based on the Hemingway novel. In 1946, they made the film The Big Sleep; Bogart played private detective Philip Marlow in the film. In 1947, they appeared in Dark Passage together. Their last film together was 1948's Key Largo. In addition to making movies together, they also starred in a syndicated radio program called Bold Venture from 1951-1952.

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall's Children

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall had two children together; Steven Humphrey Bogart was born in 1949, Steven was named after Bogart's character in To Have and Have Not. Daughter Leslie Howard Bogart was born in 1952, named after British actor Leslie Howard who was responsible for Bogart's first big break in Hollywood. Steven now runs the Humphrey Bogart Estate and Leslie is a yoga instructor.

Humphrey Bogart's Illness and Death

In early 1956, Humphrey Bogart, a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He had his esophagus removed but his disease was too advanced. Humphrey Bogart died on January 14, 1957 at 57 years of age. He left behind a young widow and two very young children.

Lauren Bacall after Bogart

Lauren Bacall had taken a break from acting when she had her two children. However, after Bogart died she had to go on with her life and her career; she had two small children to support. So, the family moved to New York where Bacall began to work in the theater. She also began making movies again. In 1961, she married actor Jason Robards, they had a son Sam; the two divorced in 1969. Bacall continues to work today, her most recent appearance was on the television show The Sopranos in 2006.

The copyright of the article Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall Biographies in Celebrities/Pop Culture is owned by Susan Keeping. Permission to republish Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall Biographies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

Oct 19, 2008 5:03 PM

Guest :

Ah, one of Hollywood's most famous and beloved couples!

Susan, I didn't realize that Lauren Bacall had remarried to Jason Robards, nor did I know that she made an appearance on The Sopranos!

Great and informative article, thanks!

Nov 16, 2008 12:47 PM

Guest :

And she had a quick love affair with Frank Sinatra, did you know that?
Love the article.

Nov 21, 2008 1:13 PM

Guest :

I have been to the site of the Bogart-Bacall wedding, Malabar Farm in Richland County, Ohio, home of author Louis Bromfield. Quite a lovely, bucolic setting, very peaceful still today as a state park. Not many know that at the time of their wedding, Miss Bacall was not of legal age in the state (21, she was 20), so her mother had to sign her permission to allow Bacall marry Mr. Bogart. But it was one of those relatively rare Hollywood matches that "took".
Bogart friend Louis Bromfield is also known as a pioneer in the development of low-impact, soil conservation farming techniques. Many farmers utilize his methods still today to reduce soil erosion and preserve the heritage and richness of the soil which comprises the American prairielands.

3 Comments