Bob Hope became a Washington, D.C. institution entertaining eleven presidents from Franklin Roosevelt (1882–1945) to Bill Clinton (b. 1946). Hope learned that presidents themselves enjoyed the ribbing he dished out. “They’re the greatest audience,” Hope remarked. “They love it when you bruise them a little, because nobody does.” After Hope accepted an invitation to be Master of Ceremonies at a White House Photographers Association Dinner honoring President Eisenhower, the president of the association, Tony Muto (c. 1904–1964), sent Hope this appreciative telegram that underlined the importance of entertainment as a respite from presidential pressures.