Comedy Icon Bob Newhart Dies Aged 94

Preview:

• Comedian and actor Bob Newhart has died aged 94.
• He starred in eponymous sitcoms and other shows, earning an Emmy and many nominations.
• Judd Apatow and more paid tribute.

A comedy institution and formative influence for many talented people has left us. Bob Newhart, who rose from comedy albums to TV superstardom, has died at the age of 94 following a brief illness.

Newhart is remembered for his hangdog delivery and the ability to spin lines into comedy gold.

Related Article: ‘Clue’ and ‘Arrested Development’ Actor Martin Mull Dies Aged 80

Bob Newhart: Early Life and Career

Newhart was born in Chicago in September 1929. He attended Loyola University in the city, majoring in commerce and graduating in 1952, when he entered the Army. After ending his military service two years later, he entered Loyola’s law school but flunked out in 1956. He then worked a variety of odd jobs while performing in an Oak Park stock company.

Yet comedy called to him: “I worked as an accountant for 2½ years, then worked as a copywriter,” he said in a 2001 interview for the Television Academy Foundation. “People had always been saying, ‘Gee, you’re funny. You think funny.’ So I just decided I was gonna give it a try and see what happened.”

Here’s what happened, if not immediately: Newhart broke out in 1960 with a pair of No. 1 comedy albums –– despite never having done stand-up before. ‘The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart’ spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard 200 and stayed on that chart for more than two years. ‘The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!’ arrived about 10 months later and also hit No. 1.

Bob Newhart: TV legacy

While his first TV attempt, NBC comedy/variety show, ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ (based on his albums) only ran for a season, he would go on to dominate TV 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 did well right from the start, finishing in the year-end three-network primetime Top 20 in each of its first three seasons, ultimately running to 1978.

Newhart starred as Bob Hartley, a successful psychologist in Chicago whose deadpan delivery drove the series.

He’d also star in 1982’s ‘Newhart’, 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 TV’s greatest episodes.

Outside of his own shows, Newhart became known as a guest on a raft of series including ‘Murphy Brown’, ‘The Simpsons’, ‘ER’, ‘Desperate Housewives’, ‘NCIS’, ‘Hot in Cleveland’ and an Emmy-winning turn on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ (he also appeared on that show’s spin-off, ‘Young Sheldon’).

Bob Newhart: Movie Work

The veteran performer appeared in a number of films including ‘In & Out’, ‘Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde’, ‘Horrible Bosses’, ‘First Family’ and ‘Catch-22’.

Yet for a whole generation, he’ll be forever known as the kindly yet deadpan Papa Elf, who raises Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human who ends up at the North Pole after crawling into Santa’s sack as an infant and, in his adult years, heads to New York in search of his actual father (James Caan), in 2003’s ‘Elf‘.

Bob Newhart: Tributes Pour In

(L to R) Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch in ‘George & Leo’. Photo: Paramount Television.

As you might expect given Newhart’s long career and renowned good nature, fellow showbusiness types are lining up to pay tribute. Here are a few select statements.

Judd Apatow took to social media to express his feelings:

Bob Newhart was the kindest most hilarious man. He asked me to make a documentary about his friendship with Don Rickles. I was so lucky to get to spend that time with my hero. His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy. “Bob and Don: A…

— Judd Apatow ?? (@JuddApatow) July 18, 2024

Comedian and former politician Al Franken has this to say:

“Bob Newhart was a giant, a genius, and a great guy. I’ll always remember when he hosted ‘SNL‘ and did a stellar show. He was, as you might expect, a joy to work with. May his memory be a blessing.”

Director Paul Feig recalled Newhart this way:

“I had the honor of doing a guest role on Newhart & got to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart making us all laugh. A brilliant standup & comedic actor, he was 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.

Bob Newhart Movies and TV Shows:

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