Bob Newhart, loved for his dry wit and impeccable timing, has passed away, leaving Hollywood in mourning.
The comedy icon was best known for his roles in sitcoms like The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart. He passed away at the age of 94 on Thursday, July 18, following a series of short illnesses.
Jerry Digney, his longtime publicist, confirmed the death in a statement and recalled how the beloved actor began his career “toiling in Chicago as an accountant by day and moonlighting at night as a comedy performer and writer.”
Highlights
- Bob Newhart, known for his roles in sitcoms like The Bob Newhart Show, passed away at age 94 after a series of short illnesses.
- The legendary actor began his career as an accountant before being catapulted to fame with his 1960 comedy album "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart."
- Tributes from President Joe Biden and stars like Carol Burnett and Ben Stiller poured in to honor his legacy and career in comedy.
- He was celebrated for his deadpan humor and impeccable timing, impacting countless comedians and comedy writers who came after him.
Acclaimed actor and comedy icon Bob Newhart passed away at the age of 94 after a series of short illnesses
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Bob himself has joked in the past about starting his career as an accountant and then moving to comedy.
“In my case, I don’t think it’s amazing that a bad accountant could become a comedian,” he said in a 2022 interview with PBS, as quoted by CNN.
“There’s something about numbers and music and comedy, I’m not sure what it is,” he added.
Tributes came pouring in from people in the industry, with many saying they would miss the legendary comedian
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His rise in comedy began with his groundbreaking 1960 comedy album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.
The album, filled with his signature deadpan humor and unique monologues, became a sensation, reaching number one on the Billboard charts and earning him a Grammy Award. The success of the album catapulted him to fame, forging his path to become a comedy icon.
He "kept Americans laughing for decades," U.S. President Joe Biden said in his tribute to the actor
Following his death, tributes poured in from stars across the industry, each honoring the legacy of the artist.
President Joe Biden wrote in a tweet: “Today, we mourn the loss of Bob Newhart, a comedy legend and beloved performer who kept Americans laughing for decades. Today, he was reunited with his wife Ginnie. My thoughts are with his children and grandchildren, and all those whose days were brightened by his work.”
Bob had guest-starred on the hit show The Big Bang Theory as the lovable Arthur Jeffries
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"I had the great pleasure of working with Bob and being his friend," said actress and fellow comedian Carol Burnett about the actor, who guest-starred on her series The Carol Burnett Show in 1971.
"He was as kind and nice as he was funny. He will be missed," she added in her tweet.
TBBT stars Kaley Cuoco, Mayim Bialik, Kunal Nayyar, and Iain Armitage remembered the deceased star in their messages posted on social media
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Jamie Lee Curtis shared a touching throwback photo of the TV sitcom pioneer with his Emmy Award, which he won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013 for his appearance on The Big Bang Theory.
"They will be laughing wherever people go when they leave us. God, he was funny!" she wrote on Instagram. "Bob Newhart. You will be missed!"
"He was classy, kind, generous and absolutely hilarious. Every take — every time. Icon forever. … I will never forget you, Bob! Thank you for making our dreams come true!" Kaley said
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Bill Prady, co-creator of The Big Bang Theory, in which Bob guest-starred as the lovable Arthur Jeffries, also shared his heartfelt tribute on social media.
"Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him. Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life," Bill said.
“Thanks for being such an inspiring Professor Proton and such an incredible human being,” said Iain, who starred as Sheldon Cooper
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Other stars who shared the screen with him for the hit show also shared their tributes.
Kaley Cuoco, who played Penny on the show, reminisced about her time with Bob on set.
“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. … I will never forget you, Bob! Thank you for making our dreams come true!” she wrote.
Bob began his career as an accountant and once joked: "In my case, I don’t think it’s amazing that a bad accountant could become a comedian"
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Co-star Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler on TBBT, also spoke about working alongside him for the show.
“As a child, the Bob Newhart Show provided countless hours of enjoyment for me – it constituted some of my earliest training in the art of sitcom. When I got to work with alongside him on TBBT, it was absolutely a dream come true. He was effortlessly professional, poised, hilarious and incredibly approachable,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “Working with Bob was working in the presence of a true comedy legend – the likes of whom we simple don’t see anymore. How he will be missed!”
The Grammy-winner shot to fame after the release of his groundbreaking 1960 comedy album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart
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“Thanks for being such an inspiring Professor Proton and such an incredible human being,” Iain Armitage, who starred as Sheldon Cooper, said in an Instagram Story. “Thinking of you and all who loved you today.”
Co-star Kunal Nayyar, who played Raj on TBBT, also paid tribute to him in an Instagram Story.
“Professor Proton. Our dearest Bob Newhart. RIP. Miss you forever,” he wrote.
Bob was nominated for several Emmy awards before finally winning the award for his guest appearance in TBBT in 2013
Comedian Dane Cook spoke about how Bob’s The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart had an impact on his career.
“Mr. Bob Newhart passed away today. His album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart impacted my career intensely,” Dane wrote in a tweet. “He was and is one of the best comedians to ever deliver and man he delivered. Always funny. Always from the heart. Always a reminder to me of why I started in stand up. Legend Bob Newhart you are forever funny.”
Born on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois, the deceased actor was married to Virginia "Ginnie" Quinn since 1963, and they had four children together
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Actor Mark Hamill honored the late comedian’s vast contributions to comedy, saying, "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!"
Fellow comedian Ben Stiller wrote in a tweet: “Bob Newhart. What a career. An iconic comedic actor. I and so many people grew up watching him. He was so subtle and had a brilliant sense of timing and understatement. And an incredibly kind man. Sending love to his family. Xxx.”
Bob starred in two successful CBS sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, both of which are considered classics
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Director and film producer Judd Apatow called him “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,” he added.
“And we lose another comedy legend,” filmmaker Feig said. “I had the honor of doing a guest role on Newhart & got to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart making us all laugh. A brilliant standup & comedic actor, he was truly one of a kind. His legacy will live on.”
The TV sitcom pioneer also appeared in films such as Catch-22 (1970) and Elf (2003), showcasing his versatility as an actor
Image credits: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection
The tributes continued as comedian Conan O'Brien joined in to share his grief.
“Bob Newhart taught countless generations of comedians that you could be funny, smart, uncompromising, and still win on your own terms. This is an immeasurable loss,” the talk show host said in a tweet.
Over his career, Bob received numerous awards and honors, including a Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002
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Actor James Woods called the deceased actor one of the “extraordinary men” he had the pleasure of sitting with at his country club.
“At my country club I sat at a table we mockingly called the Smart Table. Regulars included Jim Garner, Dick Martin, Tom Poston, Carroll Shelby, Dick Crenna, and Bob Newhart. I marveled to be surrounded by such extraordinary men,” he wrote on X. “Bob, you will be missed.”