Bogart

Bogart is a surname and, less commonly, a given name. The most widely known bearer is Humphrey Bogart, an American actor who lived from 1899 to 1957. He became a leading figure in American cinema during the 1940s and 1950s, renowned for his laconic delivery and morally complex on-screen persona.

Bogart’s most famous films include The Maltese Falcon (1941), where he played Sam Spade; Casablanca (1942), in which he portrayed Rick Blaine; and The African Queen (1951), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. His work helped define the tone of film noir and solidified his status as a defining star of the Golden Age of Hollywood. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, shaping performances and character archetypes in countless subsequent films.

In popular culture, the verb “bogart” has entered informal English usage. To bogart something means to hog or monopolize it, especially a cigarette or joint. The term is commonly attributed to Bogart’s screen persona and smoking habits, and it is used in various social contexts to describe someone who does not share.

Beyond the actor, Bogart appears as a family name and is used in place names and institutions, reflecting its broader cultural presence. The surname is carried by individuals in diverse fields, and the name remains associated with mid-20th-century American cinema and its enduring legacy.