Bogart started working in theater as a manager then an actor during the 1920's.He had small roles in movies for the next 10 years. His first major role was being Duke Mantee in 'The Petrified Forest' (1936), written by Robert Sherwood. Bogart did well in portraying the evil Mantee, and the play was a huge success.
In 1936, Warner Brothers Movie Studio wanted Edward G. Robinson to play the part of Mantee. The leading actor in the original play, Leslie Howard was to repeat the role in the movie. However, Howard refused to be in it unless Bogart was to play Mantee again too. Howard got his way.
Bogart
remained to play supporting roles until 1941 the release of 'High Sierra',
where he started to get lead roles. He had been initially typecast as a
gangster/villian, portraying men with sordid or criminal pasts. Later he
became popular as a dangerous romantic hero, and 'Casablanca' in 1943 was
done at the peak of his career. Bogart brought to each of his roles
a rich and complex depth that few could compare. He won an Oscar for his
excellent performance in 'The African Queen' in 1951.
In 1947 he started his own production company, Santana Pictures. He produced several movies, including "Beat the Devil" with his old pal Peter Lorre.
Bogart was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 1956. His last picture was "The Harder They Fall"(1956). On January 14, 1957, he passed away.