Why Humphrey Bogart Dreaded His Hollywood Mornings

There are few professions that don’t come with their own set of irritations, no matter how enviable they might appear from the outside. Even those in the most glamorous lines of work, such as the world of film, are not immune to the daily grind. For many, the idea of being a celebrated actor conjures images of luxury, travel, and endless perks. Yet, as Humphrey Bogart once made clear, even the most iconic stars have their own private grievances.

Behind the Silver Screen

Bogart’s name is synonymous with classic cinema, having starred in enduring favourites like Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon. His on-screen presence was marked by a cool, often sardonic edge, making him a defining figure of Hollywood’s golden age. However, the reality of his working life was not always as effortless as his performances suggested. While some might assume the pressures of fame or the demands of complex roles would be the most taxing, Bogart’s chief complaint was rather more mundane.

It was not the hours spent rehearsing lines or the challenge of embodying different characters that wore him down. Nor did he cite the constant attention or scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye. Instead, it was the early starts that truly got under his skin. In a candid moment with Photoplay in 1942, he admitted,

“I hate myself for choosing a profession that gets me up at dawn. I hate myself all the way to the studio and into the make-up room, ‘Boys Town,’ I call it. There we sit, the glamour boys waiting to be made beautiful and feeling like a snail’s grandmother.”

The Reluctant Early Riser

For Bogart, the prospect of rising before the sun and heading straight to the make-up chair was far from appealing. The ritual of being prepped for the camera, surrounded by others in a similar state of half-wakefulness, left him feeling less than glamorous. He longed for a more civilised start to the day, one that didn’t involve being propped up by his wife, Mayo Methot, just to keep from dozing off after his morning tea.

He went on to say,

“Frankly, I don’t like this work too much, so put me down on the wrong side of the ledger on that one. This awful morning rising business kills me. Mayo has to prop me up or I’d curl up after my tea and go to sleep. Come to think of it, that’s what I do. I should like my work more. So put that down as my own black mark against me.”

Choosing the Lesser Evil

Despite his complaints, Bogart was well aware that there were far worse fates than having to wake up early for a day on set. He recognised that, ultimately, he had chosen this path and, for all its drawbacks, it had afforded him a place among the most respected figures in film history. His willingness to endure the less glamorous aspects of the job meant audiences were treated to performances that have stood the test of time.

In the end, Bogart’s honesty about his dislike for early mornings offers a reminder that even the most celebrated careers have their less-than-ideal moments. It’s a small, very human detail behind the legend, and one that makes his achievements all the more impressive.