Eulogy

By Bob Hope

I don't think I've ever used the term ravishing; but in describing the knockout beauty of HEDY LAMARR, star of more than 25 films, it is the only word that seems to fit. All of us who knew her will tell you she had a great sense of humor. And she was smart too. I first met Hedy at the Hollywood Canteen--she was handing out autographs...I was washing dishes. That's not quite true--she was a regular there, and danced and talked with the servicemen, cooked and served the food. My doing the dishes--now, that's true. Not a very good billing then, but I shared equal billing with her in our film My Favorite Spy in 1951. I played two parts, and both of them were Hedy's lovers. How about that for overtime?

At the Academy Awards, she was always good material. In 1943 I got laughs with, "During the dinner, I gave one of the greatest performances ever seen in Hollywood. I sat next to Hedy Lamarr and had to act as though I was interested in the food."

After six marriages (not all at the same time, mind you) and filmmaking, Hedy Lamarr retired to a simple life in Florida. We got her to venture back to California in September 1966 to appear on my special at NBC. She was reserved, smart and beautiful. And to her friends and fans--that's how she'll always be.

--Bob Hope, comedian