Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) was an American actor, one of the most iconic and enduring figures of classic cinema. Initially known for gangster roles, his career took off in the 1940s, when he established himself as the archetype of the cynical yet principled anti-hero, often a loner or a detective.

His most celebrated films include *The Maltese Falcon* (1941), where he played detective Sam Spade, and especially *Casablanca* (1942), in the iconic role of Rick Blaine, which cemented his legendary status. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for *The African Queen* (1951). Other significant works include *The Big Sleep* (1946) and *The Treasure of the Sierra Madre* (1948).

His distinctive style—a mix of toughness, vulnerability, and moral integrity—made him a symbol of Hollywood masculinity, often depicted with his trench coat and cigarette.