Bob Hope Dies

American icon Bob Hope has died, just two months after turning 100.

The master of the one-liner and comedian to US servicemen and presidents alike, died in his sleep late on Sunday of pneumonia, his publicist said.

His wife Dolores and family were at his bedside at his Toluca Lake, California home.

The United States' most-honoured comedian, Bob Hope - a millionaire many times over - had a seven-decade career spanning vaudeville, radio, film and television.

He starred in a string of 'Road' movies with long-time friend Bing Crosby.

For decades, he took his show on the road to bases around the world, boosting the morale of servicemen from World War II to the Gulf War.

The English-born star saw his 100th birthday marked across the US on May 29 this year.

Celebrations including a flypast by 1940s planes and the renaming of a Hollywood square.

His family and neighbours held a party in his honour, when 101 balloons were released and local children sang happy birthday.

Hope is said to have joked to his family: "I'm so old, they've cancelled my blood type."

The funny man won four Academy Awards, the Order of the British Empire, Congressional Gold Medal, French Legion of Honour and 50-odd honorary degrees.

During Richard Nixon's first term, he turned down two US senators who asked him to consider running for president when a radio poll showed around 80% of the population would vote for him.

He remained a friend of the White House to the end. At the age of 92, he was still playing all 18 holes of golf, admired by his partners, President Clinton and predecessor George Bush senior.