Renowned comedian Bob Newhart has passed away at the age of 94. Known for his hit TV series “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart” in the 1970s and ’80s, Newhart’s death was announced by his longtime publicist Jerry Digney. The cause of death was cited as a series of short illnesses.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Newhart’s journey into comedy began in the 1950s, following his service in the army from 1952 to 1954. His comedic talent was first recognized during his time in the Korean War, where he was known as the barracks’ funny guy. After the war, while working an accounting job in Chicago, Newhart began making humorous phone calls to a friend and sending the recordings to radio stations. This caught the attention of James Conkling, the then-president of Warner Bros. Records, who booked him in the Houston nightclub, the Tidelands, and recorded his performances.
Newhart’s career skyrocketed when his comedy routine “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” won a Grammy Award as Album of the Year at the 1961 Grammys, marking the first comedy album to win that honor. The album sold 750,000 copies and was later added to the Library of Congress for its registry of historically significant sound recordings.
Newhart’s comedic style was unique for its time. He was part of a wave of comedians, including Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Shelley Berman, Jonathan Winters, and Lenny Bruce, who brought a fresh perspective to comedy, moving away from traditional wife jokes and focusing on the fears and concerns of life. Newhart credited college students for his popularity, as they would gather in dorm rooms with beer and pizzas to listen to his albums.
Newhart’s television career began with his variety show, “The Bob Newhart Show,” in 1961. Despite earning Emmy and Peabody awards, the show was canceled after one season. His subsequent series, “Newhart,” was more successful, running from 1972 to 1978. He also starred in the series “Bob,” from 1992 to 1993, and “George & Leo,” from 1997 to 1998. His film roles included “In and Out,” “Legally Blonde 2,” “Elf” and “Horrible Bosses,” and he also appeared in “The Librarians,” “ER,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Young Sheldon” on television.
Newhart was married to Virginia Quinn from 1964 until her death in 2023, and the couple had four children: Robert, Timothy, Jennifer, and Courtney. He was also close friends with fellow comedian Don Rickles, and their friendship was the subject of a documentary by Judd Apatow titled “Bob and Don: A Love Story.”
Newhart is survived by his four children and 10 grandchildren. His legacy as a comedian who brought laughter to many will continue to live on.