Bob Newhart, the legendary comedian, actor, and television icon, passed away on July 18 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 94 years old. Newhart’s publicist, Jerry Digney, announced that the star died after a series of short illnesses, marking the “end of an era in comedy.”
Early Life and Career
Born George Robert Newhart on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois, Newhart began his professional life as an accountant and advertising copywriter. His journey to stardom began in 1959, when he became one of the first comedians to release hit comedy albums.
Breakthrough in Comedy
Newhart’s 1960 album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, was a groundbreaking success. Here are some of the achievements it garnered:
- First comedy album to reach 1 on the Billboard charts
- Spent 14 weeks at the top and over two years on the chart
- Won the Grammy for Album of the Year
- Helped usher in the Golden Age of Recorded Comedy
His follow-up album, The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!, also topped the Billboard charts and won a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance.
Television Career
Newhart’s television career spanned several decades and included multiple successful series, including:
- The Bob Newhart Show (1961-1962): A short-lived variety show
- The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978): Newhart played psychologist Dr. Bob Hartley
- Newhart (1982-1990): Newhart played innkeeper Dick Loudon
- Bob (1992-1993): A short-lived sitcom where Newhart played a comic book writer
- George & Leo (1997-1998): Co-starred with Judd Hirsch
Film Career
Newhart appeared in several notable films throughout his career. How many on this list have you watched?
- Hell Is for Heroes (1962)
- Catch-22 (1970)
- Cold Turkey (1971)
- The Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990) as the voice of Bernard
- In & Out (1997)
- Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde (2003)
- Elf (2003) as Papa Elf
Later Career and Recognition
In his later years, Newhart continued to make guest appearances on popular shows, including:
- The Big Bang Theory (where he won his first Emmy in 2013 for Outstanding Guest Actor)
- Young Sheldon
- The Librarians
Throughout his career, Newhart received numerous accolades. Besides being nominated for nine Emmy Awards, he was also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1993 and later received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002.
Personal Life
Newhart was married to Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart for 60 years until her passing in 2023. He is survived by their four children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy, and Robert, and numerous grandchildren.
Bob Newhart’s unique comedic style, characterized by his stammering delivery and deadpan humor, left an indelible mark on American comedy. His contributions to television, film, and stand-up comedy have undoubtedly earned him a place as one of the most beloved and influential comedians of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Rest in Peace, Bob!
