A comedy institution and creative influence for many talented people has left us. Bob Newhart, who rose from comedy albums to TV superstardom, has died aged 94 after a brief illness.
Newhart is remembered for his hangdog delivery and ability to spin lines into comedy gold.
Bob Newhart: Early Life and Career
(L to R) Barbara Rickles, Bob Newhart, Virginia Newhart and Don Rickles in director Judd Apatow’s documentary ‘Bob and Don: A Love Story.’
Newhart was born in September 1929 in Chicago. He attended Loyola University in the city, majoring in commerce and graduating in 1952, when he entered the Army. After completing his military service two years later, he entered Loyola’s law school but dropped out in 1956. He then worked a variety of odd jobs while working for the Oak Park Stock Company.
Yet comedy called to him: “I worked as an accountant for 2½ years, then as a copywriter,” he said in a 2001 interview for the Television Academy Foundation. “People were always saying, ‘Gee, you’re funny. You think funny.’ So I just decided I’d give it a try and see what happened.”
If not immediately, here’s what happened: 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 the chart for more than two years. ‘The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!’ It came about 10 months later and also reached number 1.
Bob Newhart: The TV Legacy
(Center) Bob Newhart and the cast of ‘Newhart’. Photo: CBS.
While his first TV effort, the NBC comedy/variety show, ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ (based on his albums) lasted only one season, he would dominate TV comedy for the better part of two decades. Newhart’s first sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, also debuted on CBS in September 1972. It did well from the start, finishing in the year-end three-network primetime top 20 in each of its first three seasons, finally getting going. 1978.
Newhart starred as Bob Hartley, a successful psychologist in Chicago whose deadpan delivery propelled the series.
He also starred in 1982’s ‘Newhart’, also for CBS. This time he played Dick Loudon, author of the “How To” book, who takes 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 show, 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. A winning turn on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ (he also appeared on the show’s spin-off, ‘Young Sheldon’).
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Bob Newhart: Movie Work
(L to R) Bob Newhart and Will Ferrell in ‘Elf’. Photo: New Line Cinema.
The veteran actor was seen in several films including ‘In and Out’, ‘Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde’, ‘Horrible Boss’, ‘First Family’ and ‘Catch-22’.
Yet for an entire generation, he will forever be known as the kindly yet deadpan Papa Elf, who raises Buddy (Will Ferrell), who ends up at the North Pole after crawling into Santa’s sack as a baby, and as an adult in the year, 2003’s ‘ In ‘Elf’, he goes to New York in search of his real father (James Caan).
Bob Newhart: The tributes poured in
(L to R) Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch in ‘George and Leo’. Photo: Paramount Television.
As you might expect given Newhart’s long career and well-known good nature, fellow show-business types lined up to pay tribute. Here are some select statements.
Judd Apatow took to social media to express his feelings:
Bob Newhart was the kindest man. He asked me to make a documentary about his friendship with Don Rickles. I was very lucky to spend that time with my hero. His great comedy and gentle spirit made everyone very 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 huge, talented and great guy. I will always remember when he hosted ‘SNL’ and put on a great show. He was, as you might expect, a joy to work with. His memory Be a blessing.”
Director Paul Feig remembered Newhart as:
“I had the honor of guest starring on Newhart and getting to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart make us all laugh. A brilliant standup and 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.
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