Every generation and decade have their own iconic movie stars that will be remembered for years even once they have passed on -- such as John Wayne, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, as well as many others. These individuals helped make cinema the grand experience that is today. Among these larger than life stars who shaped the entertainment industry is Humphrey Bogart.
Humphrey Bogart was born in 1899 and sadly passed away too young at the age of 57. But in his 57 years, Humphrey made sure to leave his mark. He starred in over 40 movies and became a cinematic hero to many. His roles became iconic which made him a legendary actor who is still admired to this day. Here are Humphrey Bogart's 10 most iconic roles.
Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon
In 1941 Humphrey Bogart starred in the mystery film The Maltese Falcon as the handsome and cunning private investigator Sam Spade. Even though this movie came out nearly 80 years ago, radio theater performances of the film are still being performed to this day.
The film centered on PI Sam Spade who takes on more than he can chew when a mysterious woman presents a case to him. The case quickly turns into a nightmare when Spade's partner Miles Archer is killed and Spade becomes a suspect in another murder. As more characters begin to trickle in, Spade realizes the one thing they are all after is the bejeweled Maltese falcon, and he better get his hands on it before any of them do.
Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest
Before Bogart was the slick private investigator Sam Spade, he was gangster Duke Mantee in the 1936 film The Petrified Forest. The Petrified Forest takes place in Arizona where an intellectual, a waitress, and a gangster end up in the same diner.
Everything seems dandy for the employees and customers at the local diner in the Petrified Forest region of Arizona, until gangster Duke Mantee takes everyone in the diner as hostages. The film pulls at viewers' heartstrings as sacrifices are made and the determination to give one's life meaning becomes a deciding factor.
Charlie Allnut in The African Queen
Bogart was known for his roles as sly gangsters and handsome detectives, but Bogart was talented enough to play a wide array of roles including a steamer boat captain. In the 1951 film The African Queen, Bogart starred as steamer captain Charlie Allnut alongside Katherine Hepburn as missionary Rose Sayer.
The African Queen takes place in the era of World War 1 in German East Africa. When Charlie offers Rose safe passage, the two quickly find out this isn't going to be a peaceful trip as they do more fighting with each other than with the Germans. Eventually, the fighting turns into friendship which turns into love. A film with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn starring alongside each other is sure to be an iconic success.
Rick Blaine in Casablanca
One of Bogart's most well-known films is the 1942 film Casablanca, where he starred as nightclub owner Rick Blaine. The stunning Ingrid Bergman starred as Rick's former love Ilsa Lund who has returned to Casablanca with her new husband Victor Laszlo, played by Paul Henried.
Ilsa's husband Victor is a well-known rebel and when the Germans begin to close in on him, Ilsa turns to her old flame to help save her and her husband. Emotions run high as the lives of old and new loves begin to intertwine and lives are at stake.
Fred Dobbs in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Greed and insecurity is a driving force for humans and that was proven in the 1948 film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, starring Humphrey Bogart as Dobbs, Tim Holt as Curtin, and Walter Huston as Howard. The three men go on the adventure of a lifetime to the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico to find gold.
Even though the three men discover treasure, they also stumble upon bandits hidden in the Mexican wilderness as well as their own greed and insecurities. The bonds of friendship are tested in this classic adventure film.
Harry Dawes in The Barefoot Contessa
Many actors get pigeonholed in their careers, but not Humphrey Bogart. He could play anything from a night club owner to a treasure hunter to a washed-up film director. In 1954 Humphrey Bogart starred alongside Ava Gardener in The Barefoot Contessa. Bogart portrayed Harry Dawes, a film director who has seen better days but gets a second chance at stardom when he discovers Maria Vargas, played by Ava Gardener.
The Barefoot Contessa has become an iconic film as it was full of fame, love, and drama. The movie was praised for its extravagance. While it did not receive any high awards itself, Edmond O'Brien who played Oscar Muldoon won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his performance.
Dixon Steele in In a Lonely Place
There are plenty of shows on the air now that might have you questioning if the person sleeping next to you is capable of murder. But before shows as Who The (Bleep) Did I Marry? and Murderous Affairs were on the air, movies such as the 1950 film In a Lonely Place were already beginning to plant the seed of suspicion.
When Laurel, played by Gloria Grahame, begins to fall in love with her neighbor, the handsome screenwriter Dixon Steele (played by Humphrey Bogart), everything seems romantic and blissful. That is until police start questioning Dixon about his possible involvement with a murder. Will Laurel stand by her man or will she run for her life?
Roy Earle in High Sierra
One thing everyone can agree on about Humphrey Bogart is that he was a talented actor, especially when it came to suspense and drama films. One of his best suspense movies was the 1941 film High Sierra where Bogart starred as Roy Earle, a country boy turned mobster.
When Roy is put in charge of a plan to rob a casino, the last thing he expects to happen is to fall in love with a dance-hall girl named Marie played by Ida Lupino. When plans go awry, Roy lets love cloud his judgment as he lets his longing for Marie overpower his survival instincts.
Philip Queeg in The Caine Mutiny
Yet again Humphrey Bogart proved he was a drama acting legend in the 1954 film The Caine Mutiny, where he starred as Commander Queeg of the Caine vessel in World War II. The film and Bogart himself received several nominations for Oscar awards and the film was the second-highest-grossing movie in 1954.
Bogart's character Commander Queeg is a bit unconventional in the eyes of his crew and his behavior is seriously questioned after a storm turns deadly. His decisions on how to handle his crew and vessel during the storm lead him to be tried on mutiny where his mental stability is put to the test.
Linus Larrabee in Sabrina
1954 was a successful year for Humphrey Bogart as he acted in one of the highest-rated movies of the year, The Caine Mutiny, and also got to star alongside Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. The film tells the story of the ties that bind as one of the characters must choose between love and the family business.
When Sabrina, the chauffeur's daughter, returns home from Paris, she quickly strikes up a relationship with David, the son of her father's employer. While Sabrina and David are not bothered by their class differences, not everyone feels the same way -- including David's older brother Linus, played by Humphrey Bogart. Sabrina earned several Academy Award nominations and was #1 at the box office for two weeks, as who could resist seeing Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in the same film?