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Facts That Contradict the Perception of Famous Historic Figures and Events

Khalid Elhassan March 3, 2021 34 min

Mao Zedong proclaiming the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. China Org

28. Perception vs Reality: Humphrey Bogart Was Not as Sour or Tough as He Seemed

Classical Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart, full name Humphrey DeForest Bogart (1899 – 1957), was the living embodiment of the film noir tough guy. After a stint in the US Navy during WWI, he began acting in Broadway, then switched to motion pictures in 1930. For the next decade, he appeared in supporting roles, often as a hard-bitten gangster. By the time Bogart had his first breakout starring role in 1941’s High Sierra, he had already perfected his understated tough-guy persona.

Eighteen-year-old Humphrey Bogart in the Navy. US Navy

He cemented that perception in the public’s mind with starring roles as a detective in iconic films such as 1941’s The Maltese Falcon and 1946’s The Big Sleep. He even buttressed his tough-guy cred while performing in romantic dramas, such as his starring role opposite Ingrid Bergman in 1942’s Casablanca, or in romantic adventures such as his role opposite Katherine Hepburn in 1951’s African Queen. In reality, as seen below, Bogart’s tough-guy persona was created and foisted upon him by his studio.

Written by

Khalid Elhassan

A lifelong history buff, I developed a particular passion for WW2 history as a child, when I spent hours listening to my grandfather, enraptured, as he recounted his wartime experiences in the British East African Campaign and with the British 8th Army in North Africa.

I graduated with a history BA from George Mason University, then went on to get a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. After lawyering for a decade, I moved to sunny Rio de Janeiro and a less demanding career, opening a tourism agency in Copacabana.

A big chunk of my free time is spent blogging (you can follow me on Quora https://www.quora.com/profile/Khalid-Elhassan ) or freelance writing, mostly about my favorite subject, history.