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Tributes paid to comedy legend Bob Newhart, who has died aged 94

“This is an immeasurable loss,” wrote Conan O’Brien about Newhart's passing

By Daniel Peters
Bob Newhart
Bob Newhart in 2019. CREDIT: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage

Stand-up comedy legend and actor Bob Newhart has died at age 94.

His longtime publicist Jerry Digney confirmed the news, stating that the comedian’s passing is “an end of an era in comedy”, per CNN. Newhart died at home in Los Angeles yesterday (July 18) after a series of short illnesses.

A comedian best known for his deadpan and endearingly stammered delivery, Newhart spent decades in entertainment as a presence on television and film after first launching his career as a stand-up comic.

He made his debut with the comedy album ‘The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart’ at age 30. It went on to become the first comedy album to reach Number One on the Billboard charts – an especially notable feat for the relatively inexperienced Newhart, who had been an accountant prior to his stand-up career.

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The comedian was later a mainstay on television for decades – from 1972 to 1978, Newhart hosted The Bob Newhart Show before starring in Newhart from 1982 to 1990 and Bob from 1992 to 1993. He released eight comedy albums, his last being ‘Button-Down Concert’ in 1997.

Through his career, he also appeared in films – from the 1972 adaptation of Catch-22 to 2003’s Elf as Papa Elf, the adoptive father of Will Ferrell’s Buddy – along with guest appearances in The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory and its spin-off Young Sheldon. Despite his long and illustrious career, Newhart did not win an Emmy until 2013 for his role on The Big Bang Theory.

Conan O’Brien wrote in a tweet today (July 19) that Newhart’s passing is “an immeasurable loss”. He added: “Bob Newhart taught countless generations of comedians that you could be funny, smart, uncompromising, and still win on your own terms.”

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Judd Apatow, who made the 2023 short film Bob and Don: A Love Story about Newhart and fellow comedian Don Rickles, wrote that the comedian was “was 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. “His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy.”

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United States President Joe Biden also paid tribute to Newhart, who he called “a comedy legend and beloved performer who kept Americans laughing for decades”.

“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!” wrote Mark Hamill.

The official account for Saturday Night Live shared a clip of Newhart’s monologue from 1995, when he hosted an episode of the show on February 11 that year. It marked his second time of SNL host duties following his debut in 1980.

Comedian and actor Dave Foley wrote that Newhart “made quietly thinking on camera hilarious” and that “the pause was his art”.

On his memorable cameo on The Simpsons episode Bart the Fink, writer Josh Weinstein shared about the day recording his lines in the studio. “More writers came to his voice record for his spot on “Bart the Fink” than I had ever seen,” he wrote.

Weinstein added in a second tweet about creating the guest spot, where Newhart played himself delivering a eulogy at the funeral of Krusty the Clown: “We learned early on (I can’t remember exactly what stage of the episode) and wrote that specifically with him in mind. I know for myself and everyone in that room it was a genuine thrill to be writing something for Bob Newhart, who was a comedy idol for many of us.”

 

The Simpsons mainstay Harry Shearer called Newhart a “total pro” in a tweet.

Others who shared their stories of Newhart remember him as a kind and approachable presence. Mayim Bialik, who starred on The Big Bang Theory, talked about working with Newhart, who played Arthur Jeffries aka Professor Proton.

“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,” she wrote. “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!”

Actor James Urbaniak wrote: “I met him once, on the set of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde. He was super nice as one might expect.”

Comedian Dan Perlman shared that, as a 12-year-old, he once wrote letters to comedians about how to do stand-ups. “Bob Newhart was the only one to reply,” he stated.

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