Popularly known as Kelly Hope, William Kelly Francis Hope is the son of Bob and Dolores Hope, two famous personalities in the American entertainment industry. Bob Hope was a famous comedian and performer of his time and his wife, Dolores, was a singer and philanthropist.
William Kelly Francis is one of the four children adopted by the comedian-singer duo from The Cradle in Evanston, Illinois. He became an actor and followed his parents’ footsteps into the entertainment industry after his appearance in “This Is Your Life”. But later in his life, Kelly Hope kept himself out of the media spotlight.
To find out more about Hope’s personal life, parents, and siblings, please keep on reading.
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Personal Life of Kelly Hope
Adopted by the Hope family in 1946, William Kelly Francis Hope was born in 1937. The actual date of his birth is not known. Infact, every year his adoptive parents celebrated the birthday of all their children on the same day, May 28th. Kelly and his siblings grew up in Manhattan, New York City but later his parents moved the family of six to 1034 Moorpark Street in Toluca Lake neighborhood, Los Angeles, California.
Because of Hope couple, William Kelly Francis and his siblings were used to making TV appearances, starring in films, and giving interviews. William K. F. Hope graduated from the Navy boot camp. He starred in “That Certain Feeling” as well as “This Is Your Life” (1955). In 1969, Kelly made an appearance in “The Bob Hope Christmas Special”.
Where are Kelly’s Siblings Now?
Kelly Francis had three siblings. Linda Hope is his eldest sister. After her Anthony Jude got adopted; he passed away on June 28, 2004. Kelly and his sister Eleanor were the youngest of the group; they were of the same age. Linda Hope is a popular American author, and she wrote a book in 2003 titled “100 Years of Hope & Humor”. Before his death at the age of 63, Anthony Jude was an attorney in Washington, DC. He married Judith Coleman Richards on December 2nd, 1967, in Defiance, Ohio. He is survived by his two children, ex-wife, and siblings. At 93 years of age, Eleanor Hope lives a very private life.
All about Bob Hope
Bob Hope, laid to rest on July 27, 2003, was one of the most successful entertainers in history. Hope began his career in vaudeville and burlesque and later became a successful radio performer. He made his film debut in 1934 and appeared frequently on television. In addition to his work as an entertainer, Hope was also a philanthropist. He raised millions of dollars for charitable causes, including the USO, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969.
Mother of Kelly Hope
Dolores Hope, née DeFina, began her career as a big-band singer under the name Dolores Reade. She also had her own radio show, The Bob Hope Show, from 1940 to 1950. She married Hope in 1934. In the 1950s Hope retired from show business to raise her family, but she returned to the stage in the 1970s and appeared with her husband in several television specials. She also wrote an autobiography, Thanks for the Memory (1991).
Conclusion
Currently, the 85-year-old is away from the limelight. Hope is a supporter of the Bob Hope Foundation, which provides financial assistance to needy children and families. He has also worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Children’s Miracle Network. Kelly Hope currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife and two children. Nowadays, William Kelly Francis Hope lives a very comfortable life because of the wealth accumulated by his parents as well as the money he acquired during his acting career.