Bob Newhart, the legendary comedian renowned for his distinctive stammer and deadpan humor, has died at the age of 94. His longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, confirmed that Newhart passed away in Los Angeles on Thursday morning after a series of short illnesses, describing the loss as the “end of an era in comedy.”
Over a career spanning five decades, Newhart consistently captivated audiences, first as a standup comedian, then as a television star, and finally as a film actor. His rise to fame began with the groundbreaking comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.” The album, a phenomenon upon its release, won the Grammy for Album of the Year, making history as the first comedy album to achieve this honor. Its success catapulted Newhart into the limelight, leading to his celebrated television shows “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” and notable roles in films such as “Catch-22,” “Cold Turkey,” and “Elf.”
Born George Robert Newhart on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois, Newhart initially pursued a career as an accountant and advertising copywriter. He often humorously reflected on his accounting days, quipping about the unlikely transition from numbers to comedy.
Newhart’s first major breakthrough came with the 1960 release of “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” which dominated the Billboard album chart for 14 weeks and garnered multiple Grammy Awards. He followed this success with another hit album, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!”
His television career was marked by the success of “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-1978) and “Newhart” (1982-1990). In these series, Newhart portrayed calm, reasonable characters surrounded by eccentric personalities. The series finales, particularly the iconic ending of “Newhart,” remain among the most memorable moments in TV history.
Throughout his illustrious career, Newhart earned nine Emmy nominations, finally winning in 2013 for his guest role as Professor Proton on “The Big Bang Theory.” In recent years, he continued to make appearances on shows like “Young Sheldon,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “The Librarians.”
In film, Newhart’s role as Papa Elf in the 2003 Christmas classic “Elf” became a cherished part of his legacy. He foresaw the film’s enduring appeal, comparing it to “Miracle on 34th Street.”
Newhart’s contributions to comedy and entertainment have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1993, received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002, and had his work included in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
He is survived by his four children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy, and Robert, and numerous grandchildren. His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, passed away last year.
