Bob Newhart died in Los Angeles following a series of short illnesses. He is best remembered for his TV shows “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-78) and “Newhart” (1982-90).
Bob Newhart, renowned for his stammering and deadpan humor that propelled him to fame as a standup comedian and later in television and film, has passed away at the age of 94, according to a statement from his longtime publicist Jerry Digney.
Newhart died in Los Angeles on Thursday morning following a series of short illnesses. Digney described his passing as the “end of an era in comedy.”
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Spanning a career of five decades, Newhart’s popularity seldom diminished. He gained acclaim through his comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” which was the first comedy album to win a Grammy for Album of the Year, his lead roles in two highly-rated TV sitcoms, and his supporting roles in films such as “Catch-22,” “Cold Turkey,” and “Elf.”
Newhart is best remembered for his TV shows “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-78) and “Newhart” (1982-90), both featuring him as a reasonable man surrounded by eccentric characters.
About Bob Newhart
Born George Robert Newhart in Oak Park, Illinois, on September 5, 1929, he initially worked as an accountant and advertising copywriter. Reflecting on his early career in 2022, he humorously noted, “It’s not surprising that a bad accountant could become a comedian.” He also mentioned the link between numbers, music, and comedy, noting that many comedians shared an interest in music.
Newhart rose to fame with his 1960 comedy album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” which was a major hit, staying at No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart for 14 weeks and winning multiple Grammy Awards, surpassing competitors like Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, and Nat “King” Cole. His follow-up album, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!” also reached No. 1.
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In 1972, “The Bob Newhart Show” premiered, featuring Newhart as Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley, dealing with quirky patients. “Newhart,” which aired in 1982, saw him as Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon, struggling to maintain his sanity amidst eccentric locals. Both shows featured strong supporting roles for his on-screen wives, played by Suzanne Pleshette and Mary Frann, respectively.
The “Newhart” series finale is one of television’s most memorable moments. In the last episode, Newhart’s character wakes up as Bob Hartley from “The Bob Newhart Show,” revealing the entire “Newhart” series as a dream. This twist was suggested by Newhart’s wife, Ginny.
Throughout his career, Newhart was nominated for nine Emmys, winning one in 2013 for his guest role as Professor Proton on “The Big Bang Theory.” He also frequently appeared on variety and talk shows and substituted for Johnny Carson on the “Tonight Show” 87 times.
Newhart continued acting in recent years with appearances on “Big Bang,” “Young Sheldon,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “The Librarians.” His film roles included parts in “Horrible Bosses” and “In & Out.”
His performance as Papa Elf in the 2003 Christmas film “Elf” became a standout role, which he believed surpassed all his other roles. He predicted the film would become a holiday classic, akin to “Miracle on 34th Street,” and noted its enduring charm and appeal.
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Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1993, Newhart’s work is also part of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. He received the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002.
Bob Newhart is survived by his four children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy, and Robert, and numerous grandchildren. His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, passed away last year.