Comedian and sitcom legend Bob Newhart has died at age 94. Newhart passed away from natural causes following a series of short illnesses on Thursday morning at his home in Los Angeles, according to his publicist. The comedian was surrounded by his family.
Newhart was known for his hit sitcom, “The Bob Newhart Show,” in the ’70s. Newhart went on to have two additional shows named after him, “Newhart” and “Bob.”
Newhart first began his career in comedy in the 1950s. He released his comedy routine on vinyl, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” in 1960.
He was later received the Grammy Award for album of the year.
“When I first started out in stand-up, I just remember the sound of laughter,” he once said. “It’s one of the great sounds of the world.”
He transitioned to television in 1961 with the launch of “The Bob Newhart Show.” The half-hour variety show ran for one season before its cancellation, despite being nominated for numerous awards.
in 1972, Newhart went on to premiere another “The Bob Newhart Show,” which proved to be a great hit. The series ran through 1978 and featured the comedian portraying a Chicago psychologist living with his wife.
A few years later, “Newhart” premiered. The sitcom showcased a New York writer who embarks on a journey to reopen an abandoned Vermont inn.
Despite his robust career, Newhart was not awarded an Emmy until 2013 when he won outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his role as Arthur Jeffries in “The Big Bang Theory.”
Newhart is survived by four children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy and Robert, and numerous grandchildren. His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, passed away in 2023.
Luminaries and other celebrities paid tribute to Newhart.
“Bob Newhart’s groundbreaking work in stand-up and television – and his beloved deadpan delivery – have left an indelible mark on the art form of comedy and will be treasured by comedy fans for generations to come. We are proud to celebrate and preserve his extraordinary work at National Comedy Center,” Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center executive director, shared in a statement with Fox News.
Judd Apatow, who co-directed Bob and Don: A Love Story about the life-long friendship of Newhart and Don Rickles, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”
One of Newhart’s best displays of his signature comedic delivery was when he hosted Saturday Night Live back in 1995:
Bob Newhart's Monologue ❤️ February 11, 1995 pic.twitter.com/CaC1fKUOkq
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) July 18, 2024