Bob Newhart and the cast of ‘The Bob Newhart Show’. Photo: CBS.
Advance:
- Comedian and actor Bob Newhart has died at the age of 94.
- He starred in eponymous sitcoms and other shows, winning an Emmy and many nominations.
- Judd Apatow and others paid tribute.
He has left us an institution of comedy and a formative influence on many talented people. Bob Newhartwho rose from comedy albums to television stardom, died at the age of 94 after a brief illness.
Newhart is remembered for his downcast delivery and ability to turn his lines into comic gold.
Related article: ‘Clue’ and ‘Arrested Development’ actor Martin Mull dies at 80
Bob Newhart: Early Life and Career
(L-R) Barbara Rickles, Bob Newhart, Virginia Newhart and Don Rickles in director Judd Apatow’s documentary ‘Bob & Don: A Love Story.’
Newhart was born in Chicago in September 1929. He attended Loyola University in the city, where he majored in business and graduated in 1952, when he entered the Army. After completing his military service two years later, he entered Loyola’s law school, but failed out in 1956. He then worked a variety of odd jobs while acting in an Oak Park theater company.
But comedy appealed to him: “I worked as an accountant for two and a half years, then I worked as an editor,” he said in a 2001 interview with the Television Academy Foundation. “People always said to me, ‘Wow, you’re funny. You think funny. ’ So I decided to give it a try and see what happened.”
Here’s what happened, though not immediately: Newhart broke out in 1960 with a pair of comedy albums that went to number one, even though he’d never done stand-up before. “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard 200 and remained on that chart for more than two years. “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!” came along about 10 months later and also went to number one.
Bob Newhart: television legacy
(Center) Bob Newhart and the cast of ‘Newhart.’ Photo: CBS.
Although his first attempt at television was the NBC comedy-variety show, ‘The Bob Newhart Show‘ (based on his albums) lasted only one season, then would dominate television comedy for the better part of two decades. Newhart’s first sitcom, also titled ‘The Bob Newhart Show‘ debuted on CBS in September 1972. It performed well from the start, finishing in the Top 20 of three networks’ year-end primetime ratings in each of its first three seasons, and eventually ran until 1978.
Newhart played Bob Hartley, a successful Chicago psychologist whose deadpan delivery propelled the series.
“THE DOCTOR IS HERE!”
74
6 seasonsSeptember 16, 1972
He would also star in 1982’s ‘The Man’.New Hart‘, also for CBS. This time he played Dick Loudon, a “how-to” book author who took over a long-closed colonial inn in Vermont. It ran for eight seasons and its series finale is still considered one of the best episodes on television.
Outside of his own shows, Newhart became known as a guest on a number of series including ‘Murphy Brown‘, ‘The Simpsons‘, ‘IS‘, ‘Desperate housewives‘, ‘NCIS‘, ‘Heat in Cleveland‘ and a Emmy-winning spin in ‘Big Bang Theory‘ (He also appeared in that show’s spin-off, ‘Young Sheldon‘).
72
8 seasonsOctober 2, 1982
Bob Newhart: film work
(L-R) Bob Newhart and Will Ferrell in ‘Elf’. Photo: New Line Cinema.
The veteran artist appeared in several films, including ‘Out‘, ‘Legally Blonde 2: Redhead, White, and Blonde‘, ‘Horrible bosses‘, ‘First family‘ and ‘22 captures‘.
However, for a generation, he will forever be known as the kind but deadpan Papa Elf, who raises Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human who ends up in the North Pole after getting into Santa’s sack as a baby and, as an adult, heads to New York in search of his real father (James Caan), in 2003Elf‘.
Bob Newhart: Tributes are pouring in
(L-R) Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch in ‘George & Leo’. Photo: Paramount Television.
Unsurprisingly, given Newhart’s long career and renowned good nature, his showbiz peers are joining in to pay tribute. Below are a few selected statements.
Judd Apatow She took to social media to express her feelings:
Bob Newhart was a very kind and funny man. He asked me to make a documentary about his friendship with Don Rickles. I was very lucky to be able to spend that time with my hero. His brilliant comedy and kind spirit made everyone he met very happy. “Bob and Don: A…
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) July 18, 2024
Comedian and former politician Al Franken He has this to say:
“Bob Newhart was a giant, a genius and a great guy. I will always remember when he hosted ‘SNL“And he put on a stellar show. As expected, it was a pleasure to work with him. May his memory be a blessing.”
Director Pablo Feig Newhart recalled:
“I had the honor of doing a guest spot on Newhart and was able to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart making us all laugh. He was a brilliant stand-up and comedy actor, truly one of a kind. His legacy will live on.”
Newhart’s wife, Ginny, died last year. He is survived by his children, Robert Jr., Timothy, Courtney and Jennifer, and 10 grandchildren.
Bob Newhart and the cast of ‘Newhart’. Photo: CBS.