The Hollywood Museum is holding an exhibit and book signing paying tribute to comedian Bob Hope and his support for troops during World War II. (photo courtesy of the Hollywood Museum)

Join Donelle Dadigan, president and founder of the Hollywood Museum, and Linda Hope, daughter of Bob and Dolores Hope, for a tribute and book signing of “Dear Bob…. Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.’s of World War II” on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum.

The 75th anniversary of the end of World War II was observed in 2020, and the Hollywood Museum is celebrating members of “the Greatest Generation” for their service, as well as the unique relationship between the troops, Hope and the USO.

In addition to authors Linda Hope and Martha Bolton (Bob Hope’s joke writer for 15 years), the celebration will include appearances by Loni Anderson, Jan Daley and Anson Williams, video by Jerry Mathers and special written messages from Ann-Margret, Pat Boone, Stephanie Zimbalist, Joan Van Ark, Loretta Swit and Raquel Welch.

In observance of Veterans Day, the Hollywood Museum will display items from Hope’s career, including a costume from his vaudeville days, a golf putter he used in his Toluca Lake office, a jacket the comedian wore on tour with the USO and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award presented in 1959 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Also included are letters from World War II service men and women, as well as nurses, wives and parents who shared thoughts, swapped jokes and commiserated with Hope about the war.

“Dear Bob…. Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.’s of World War II” is a collection of personal letters, postcards and packages sent back and forth among Hope, the troops and their loved ones.

“The people back at home loved hearing something from a base from where one of their loved ones was stationed,” Linda Hope said. “Handwritten letters were cherished. Dad received an average of 38,000 letters a week. He would dictate responses to be typed and mailed off by his secretary. The letters were amazing. They had to [do] with a variety of topics asking when they were going to be coming home, and could they visit with him on the set or meet Lana Turner or Rita Hayworth.”

The public can view the ongoing Bob Hope exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, in the museum, 1660 N. Highland Ave. For information, visit thehollywoodmuseum.com.