Legendary stand-up comedian Bob Newhart, a pioneer of observational humor and a household name to generations of fans thanks to his two successful, long-running television sitcoms and popular comedy albums, had died at age 94, his publicist announced Thursday.
According to publicist Jerry Digney, Newhart died at his Southland home after “a series of short illnesses.”
Newhart’s wife, Ginnie Newhart, died April 23, 2023, at the age of 82 at their home in Century City after a long illness. The couple had recently celebrated their 60-year wedding anniversary prior to her death.
Like his marriage, Newhart’s career spanned six decades, and he was the recipient of many honors, including the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Newhart won over audiences with his gentle stammer, deadpan delivery and one-sided telephone conversations on his comedy albums. His humor translated successfully onto the small screen as he starred in two of the most beloved sitcoms in television history.
From 1972 to 1978, he played clinical psychologist Bob Hartley on CBS’ “The Bob Newhart Show” opposite Suzanne Pleshette as his wife. In 1982, Newhart delivered another ratings hit for CBS by playing Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon on “Newhart,” which ran for eight seasons.
Newhart earned a new generation of fans as he remained a potent force in entertainment in his later years, appearing in the holiday movie “Elf” in 2003 and taking an Emmy-nominated dramatic turn on the NBC drama “ER” in 2004.
But despite previous nominations, the Emmy remained elusive for Newhart. It wasn’t until 2013 at age 84 that Newhart won his first Emmy, for his guest role on the CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” as Professor Proton, a down-on-his-luck former host of a children’s science show.
The road to comedic stardom for Newhart started in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, where he was born on Sept. 5, 1929. He graduated from Loyola University of Chicago in 1952 with a degree in business management. Newhart ended up working as an accountant and later as an advertising copywriter in Chicago.
Bored with his job, Newhart began developing comedy routines with a friend, which were elaborate and improvised telephone conversations. Newhart recorded the bits and sent them to a Chicago DJ, who sent the material to the head of talent at Warner Bros. Records. Newhart was signed to a recording contract and the comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” was released in 1960, featuring Newhart’s first set of nightclub performances. It became the first comedy recording to hit number one on the Billboard album chart. The album also won a Grammy Award for album of the year, and Newhart won best new artist.
Newhart’s popularity soared as he sold out comedy concerts, nightclubs and theater stages. The comedian followed up with seven more albums, which sold millions.
Television came calling in 1961 as Newhart starred in a variety series titled “The Bob Newhart Show,” which earned Emmy and Peabody awards but lasted for only one season. Newhart went on to make guest appearances on television until he developed his own sitcom about the Chicago psychologist, also called “The Bob Newhart Show.”
His later sitcom “Newhart,” about the Vermont innkeeper, delivered one of the most memorable finales in television history.
Newhart said it was his wife, Ginnie, who came up with the innovative idea for how to conclude his Vermont-based sitcom by combining with it with his earlier Chicago-based show.
In the final scene, Newhart’s innkeeper character — after being struck in the head and knocked out by a stray golf ball — wakes up in the middle of the night as the psychologist character Bob Hartley in bed with Pleshette in their Chicago apartment, suggesting his entire second series had been a dream.
Critics and fans alike have called it the single best and most surprising episode in television comedy history.
Newhart wrote about his long storied career in his memoir, “I Shouldnât Even Be Doing This!â which was published in 2006.
In the book, he recalled a moment when he was questioned about the use of his comedic stammer.
“When I was doing `The Bob Newhart Show,’ one of the producers pulled me aside and said that the shows were running a little long. He wondered if I could cut down the time of my speeches by reducing my stammering. `No,’ I told him. `That stammer bought me a house in Beverly Hills,”’ wrote Newhart.
The legendary comedian is survived by his children, Robert Jr., Timothy, Courtney and Jennifer, and 10 grandchildren.
Tributes for Newhart poured in Thursday following news of his death.
“Bob Newhart was the kindest most hilarious man,” writer/director Judd Apatow wrote on social media. “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.”
Actor Jon Cryer called Newhart “one of the greats, truly. I’m so grateful to have his work and artistry in my life.”
“The Simpsons” writer/producer Josh Weinstein said Newhart “was among the kindest guest stars we ever had on `The Simpsons’ and he was possibly the most revered. More writers came to his voice record for his spot on `Bart the Fink’ than I had ever seen. RIP to one of the founders of modern comedy.”
Actor Eric Stonestreet wrote simply, “No one funnier than Bob Newhart,” while actor Mark Hamill added, “From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter. Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart.”
On Instagram, “Big Bang Theory” actress Kaley Cuoco posted a series of photos of Newhart on the show’s set, and wrote, “What a dream it was to witness the genius that was Bob Newhart. He was classy, kind, generous and absolutely hilarious. Every take — every time. Icon forever.” On a picture of Newhart posing with the show’s cast, she added, “Thank you for making our dreams come true.”
