Few names in Hollywood history evoke the same mystique and admiration as Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Theirs was a love story set against the backdrop of classic cinema, filled with glamor, talent and ever-lasting appeal. Through the eyes of their son, Stephen Bogart, we gain a deeper understanding of these iconic figures’ lives, love and legacies.
Saying goodbye to a Hollywood legend
1957 marked a somber moment in Hollywood history, as Humphrey Bogart, one of history’s most beloved stars, bid farewell to the world. After an 11-month battle with cancer, Bogart died at the age of 57, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in film.
Stephen Bogart reflected on his father’s passing, stating, “When my father died there were 3,000 people I didn’t know at the funeral. I figured there was something different. And there certainly was.”
Humphrey Bogart bonded with his son
Despite his father’s absence for much of his childhood, due to Humphrey Bogart’s busy career, Stephen remembers moments of bonding, such as their time on the family’s boat, the Santana. “He would take me down to the Santana […] I remember going to Catalina Island and swimming back […] I made it and he was very proud of me,” recalls Bogart.
These memories remain etched in Stephen’s mind, reminding him of his father’s pride and love.
Preserving Humphrey Bogart’s legacy
Stephen Bogart has made it his mission to ensure his father’s remains alive. As a co-managing partner of the Humphrey Bogart Estate, he works tirelessly to introduce new audiences to classic Hollywood charm.
“We’re trying to do stuff that will reach a lot of people,” says Bogart. “We try to do things that not only keep him alive but classic Hollywood alive.”
Bogart’s Spirits
Through partnerships like Bogart’s Spirits, inspired by his father’s love for cocktails, Stephen keeps the spirit of “Bogie” alive in the modern world. Most recently, the estate launched a partnership with ROK Drinks to offer Bogart’s Spirits, which honors the actor’s fondness for cocktails.
“My dad liked a wide variety of spirits, but he preferred gin and whiskey,” shares Bogart.
This initiative not only celebrates Bogart’s legacy, but also keeps classic Hollywood alive for contemporary audiences.
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s beautiful romance
The romance between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall is the stuff of Hollywood legend. Their on-screen chemistry in To Have and Have Not (1944) ignited a real-life love affair that captivated the world. Stephen Bogart fondly recalls his parents’ relationship, stating, “She was pretty good looking. She was 19 and he was 44. But I think it was her strength… She didn’t take crap from anybody.”
Bogart and Bacall’s love story extended beyond the silver screen. “When he’d come home from work, he would want to have dinner with her,” recalls Bogart. “They were in love. And they were good together. They were man and wife.”
Do newer generations know about the famous couple?
While promoting his documentary, Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes (2024), Stephen Bogart made a surprising revelation to Us Weekly: newer generations don’t know who his parents are.
“I go to the doctors and the assistant comes in and I’m asking her, and the doctor says, ‘Hey, do you know who this is? He’s Humphrey Bogart’s son,'” he recalled. “And she goes, ‘Who?’ This is, like, two months ago. And this is a smart woman.”
According to Bogart, this prompted a further discussion of classic Hollywood actors, like Marlon Brando and Dustin Hoffman. As with his father, the nurse didn’t know who they were. Bogart then gave his thoughts as to why this is.
“So kids don’t know because it’s tough when you’re looking at your phone and you want to see the latest Marvel,” he explained. “Not that I have anything against Marvel. I used to collect the comic books, but they’re not aware of the past at all.”
Lauren Bacall struggled in her later years
Lauren Bacall passed away in 2014, at the age of 89. Stephen explained how tough her final years were.
“She was sick and in bed a lot,” he said. “The last couple of years, they weren’t great for her. Not that they’re great for anybody as they go down that road, as I’m now 70 years old. She had a couple of illnesses and she really didn’t go out much. She liked to stay at home.
“I don’t know how you feel when you get to that point, but… it wasn’t great for her,” he went on. “She was used to getting up and doing things, going out. She had assistants there for her all the time if she needed them. But I think it was a very tough time for her, those last few years.”
Stephen Bogart has fond memories of his mother
When asked what he misses most about his mother, Stephen Bogart said, “Just the fact that she’s not here anymore, you know? Being able to talk to her. I left home to go to boarding school when I was 13. I didn’t really live with her after that, but she was always there to talk to and just to hear her voice. I think hearing her voice is a big thing.”
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When asked if he ever thought to pursue the family business, Bogart said no, explaining, “How do you compete with that? The comparisons would have been obvious. No, never. Plus, I was lousy at it. I was in a couple of plays in high school. I wasn’t very good. I couldn’t do it. I just wasn’t very good at all. It’s not an easy thing to do, to be someone else.”