Bob Newhart, Comedy Legend, Dies at 94

Comedy legend Bob Newhart has died at 94.

THR reports the king of deadpan delivery, who parlayed stand-up and recording success into an indelible TV career, passed away Thursday morning at his L.A. home after "a series of short illnesses," according to his publicist Jerry Digney.

Fellow TV icon Carol Burnett tweeted, "I had the great pleasure of working with Bob and being his friend. He was as kind and nice as he was funny. He will be missed."

Newhart was born September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, an affluent suburb of Chicago. He graduated from Loyola University and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

After a doomed career as an accountant and working as a copywriter in the '50s, his penchant for recording deadpan, absurdist scenes brought him to the attention of a DJ, who in turn brought Newhart to Warner Bros. Records.

Signed when the label was new, Newhart released the 1960 record "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart," which became the first-ever comedy disc to hit no. 1 on the charts. It was characterized by his droll, stammering delivery and by his take on the classic man-on-the-telephone set-up.

It won him two Grammys and spawned a series of hit records.

By 1961, he was the star of a TV series called "The Bob Newhart Show," a variety show. Critically acclaimed, it won him the coveted Peabody Award, in spite of being nearly forgotten today.

He quickly became an in-demand stand-up act and TV guest star before launching his iconic sitcom — also named "The Bob Newhart Show" — in 1972. It offered Newhart the tailor-made role of an unflappable psychologist with a no-nonsense wife (Suzanne Pleshette).

Surrounded by larger-than-life co-workers and patients, Newhart's TV persona as unlike anyone else in the medium. "The Bob Newhart Show" lasted until 1978.

By 1982, Newhart came back with another sitcom, simply "Newhart." He played his usual dry everyman, this time a Vermont innkeeper, supported by his wife (Mary Frann) as he deals with colorful locals and demanding visitors.

When the series ended in 1990, it had logged an even longer run than his previous hit, and it went out with what is arguably the greatest finale of any series in TV history — his character wakes up alongside Suzanne Pleshette, from his previous show, revealing all of the events of "Newhart" were just a dream.

Julia Duffy, who played ditzy blonde socialite Stephanie on "Newhart," said in her Pioneers of Television interview, "Whatever you did was funnier if Bob was in the scene."

Newhart also starred on "Bob" (1992-1993), which, in spite of a typically strong ensemble (including Lisa Kudrow), did not catch on; and "George and Leo" (1997-1998), with Judd Hirsch.

He gave strong recurring performances on "ER" (2003) and "Desperate Housewives" (2005), but — incredibly — he did not win his first Emmy until age 84 for guesting on "The Big Bang Theory," on which he appeared a half dozen times from 2013-2018.

Several "Big Bang Theory" stars paid tribute to Bob. Kaley Cuoco 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."

Johnny Galecki shared, "In one of his last emails to me, Bob requested that I stop telling people he’s a “nice guy.” Though I hate to disobey a hero, I must share that Bob was a wonderful man and I cherished my time with him. Safe passage, my friend."

Mayim Bialik posted, "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 alongside him on TBBT, it was absolutely a dream come true. He was effortlessly professional, poised, hilarious and incredibly approachable. Working with Bob was working in the presence of a true comedy legend – the likes of whom we simply don’t see anymore. How he will be missed!"

Melissa Rauch reflected, "I was beyond nervous to meet this idol of mine at The Big Bang Theory, but he immediately put me at ease with his immense kindness. He made me laugh so hard and filled my heart with memories I will cherish forever. Much like his brilliant Newhart series finale, being in his presence was a dream."

Kunal Nayyar wrote over a photo on his Instagram Stories, "Professor Proton. Our dearest Bob Newhart. RIP. Miss you forever,"

Newhart's last TV appearances were on "Hot in Cleveland" (2015), "The Librarians" (2014-2017), and three episodes of "Young Sheldon" (2017-2020).

"Young Sheldon" star Iain Armitage honored Bob by posting, "Thanks for being such an inspiring Professor Proton and such an incredible human being. Thinking of you and all who loved you today."

Newhart also acted in a number of films, among them "Hell Is for Heroes" (1959), "Hot Millions" (1968), "Catch-22" (1970), "Cold Turkey" (1971), "Little Miss Marker" (1980), and "First Family" (1980). He was the voice of Bernard in the Disney animated films "The Rescuers" (1977) and "The Rescuers Down Under" (1990).

Later films that made use of his icon status included "In & Out" (1997), "Elf" (2003), and "Horrible Bosses" (2011).

He was married to his beloved wife Ginnie for 60 years, until her death last year. The couple was close with fellow comic Don Rickles (who died in 2017) and his wife Barbara (who died in 2021). Newhart appeared in the 2007 doc "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project" as well as in Judd Apatow's 2023 short doc "Bob and Don: A Love Story" to sing the insult comic's praises and describe their vacations together.

Newhart is survived by his four kids and 10 grandkids.

In Newhart's honor, flowers were set to be placed on his Hollywood Walk of Fame star at 4:30 p.m. PT.