Bob Newhart, the celebrated comedian and actor, renowned for his deadpan delivery and unique comedic style, passed away at the age of 94.
Newhart died peacefully on July 18, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped the world of comedy and television.
Born to Roman Catholic parents, George David Newhart and Julia Pauline Burns, on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois, George Robert Newhart’s comedic journey began after an early career as an accountant.
Newhart grew up in the Chicago area, attending local Roman Catholic schools, including St. Ignatius College Prep. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. After college, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving as a personnel manager during the Korean War.
His early career included a brief stint as an accountant and later as an advertising copywriter in Chicago at Fred Niles Communications Centers. Newhart tells the story that Fred Niles quickly fired him as a copywriter because “I was too funny.” Niles, who passed away in 1983, enjoyed telling the story of his failed connection with Newhart, “He was only able to write humor. Everything he wrote was funny. What did I know?”
Newhart’s comedic talent emerged through humorous telephone calls with a coworker, leading to a stand-up career and eventually a contract with Warner Bros. Records. His talent was first recognized in 1960 with the release of his groundbreaking comedy album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. The album featured his signature deadpan style, slight stammer, and comedic monologues, became the first comedy record to reach number one on the Billboard charts and earned him a Grammy Award.
His influences included earlier comedians George Gobel, Ray Goulding, and Bob Elliott, whose styles helped shape his unique approach to comedy.
The comedy album’s success opened new opportunities in television and film, with his variety show The Bob Newhart Show winning a Primetime Emmy Award in 1962.
Bob’s success in comedy albums paved the way for a prolific television career. He starred in the iconic 1970s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show, where he played Dr. Bob Hartley, a Chicago-based psychologist. The show was a critical and commercial success, solidifying Newhart’s status as a television star. Watch the 1972 intro below:
In the 1980s, he starred in another hit series, Newhart, portraying innkeeper Dick Loudon. The show became famous for its clever writing and memorable series finale, which remains one of the most talked-about in television history.
Newhart commented on that finale to the Television Academy, giving credit to his wife Ginny:
Beyond television, Newhart’s versatility shone through in numerous film roles, including appearances in Catch-22, Elf, and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde. He also lent his distinctive voice to various animated films and series, further showcasing his wide-ranging talent.
Throughout his career, Newhart received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star.
Perhaps one of his most notable tributes is located in Chicago. At the far end of Chicago’s Navy Pier, you will find a life-size statue of Bob Newhart sitting on a sofa couch. The sculpture, originally located at 430 N. Michigan Avenue, the address of the building that contained Hartley’s office in the sitcom, depicts Newhart in character as Chicago psychologist Dr. Rob Hartley. Here you see Newhart sitting relaxed on a chair with pen and pad, seeming to invite you to sit down beside him to have a chat.
In addition to his television success, Newhart voiced Bernard in the animated film The Rescuers and its sequel, The Rescuers Down Under. He also starred in other sitcoms, including Bob and George & Leo, and appeared in films such as In & Out and Horrible Bosses.
In his later years, Newhart found renewed success on television, playing Arthur Jeffries (Professor Proton) on The Big Bang Theory, a role that earned him his first Primetime Emmy Award. His ability to connect with audiences of all ages ensured that his legacy would endure.
Newhart’s influence extended far beyond his own performances, inspiring generations of comedians and actors who followed in his footsteps.
Bob is survived by his four children, and his grandchildren. Fans around the world mourn his passing, but his contributions to comedy and entertainment will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.
As the world bids farewell to Bob Newhart, we remember him not only for the laughter he brought into our lives but also for the kindness and humanity he embodied. That’s all we could expect from a kid from Oak Park.
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