Bob Newhart, the well-loved comedy legend known for starring in two famous sitcoms, has passed away at the age of 94.
His publicist, Jerry Digney, confirmed that Newhart died after a few short illnesses, according to Variety.
Newhart was a TV icon for many years, starring in two classic shows, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart. In his later years, he also had memorable roles in the movie Elf and the TV show The Big Bang Theory.
Bob Newhart was born on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois. He got his degree from Loyola University Chicago and served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.
After the war, he worked as an accountant and an advertising copywriter. During this time, he developed his comedy routines. He became famous for his deadpan, soft-spoken style, playing the “straight man” in phone conversations, reacting to absurd situations.
This act made him a hit on the stand-up comedy scene and led to his hugely successful live comedy album, *The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart*. The album was the first comedy record to reach #1 on the Billboard Charts and became the 20th best-selling album of all time at that point.
It was also the first comedy album to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and Newhart won the Grammy for Best New Artist. He continued to release successful albums throughout the ’60s and ’70s.
Newhart became a television staple and had his own variety show, *The Bob Newhart Show*, in 1961. Although it only ran for one season, it won the Emmy Award for Best Comedy Series.
His first sitcom, also called *The Bob Newhart Show*, was more successful, running for six seasons on CBS from 1972 to 1978. The show followed Newhart’s character, Chicago psychiatrist Dr. Bob Hartley, in his work and home life.
Newhart struck gold again with his second sitcom, *Newhart*, where he played Vermont innkeeper and talk show host Dick Loudon. This show ran from 1982 to 1990.
*Newhart* had one of the most memorable finales in TV history. It ended with Newhart’s character from *The Bob Newhart Show* waking up in bed next to his former co-star Suzanne Pleshette, suggesting that the entire *Newhart* series was just a dream.
Later sitcom vehicles like Bob and George & Leo had less success, running for just one season, but Newhart remained a fixture of television, with recurring roles on ER and Desperate Housewives.
He also had a memorable recurring role on the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory as former science TV host “Professor Proton.” He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role — the long-overdue first-ever Emmy Award for the TV legend.
Later sitcom vehicles like Bob and George & Leo had less success, running for just one season, but Newhart remained a fixture of television, with recurring roles on ER and Desperate Housewives.
He also had a memorable recurring role on the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory as former science TV host “Professor Proton.” He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role — the long-overdue first-ever Emmy Award for the TV legend.
Rest in peace to the comedy legend Bob Newhart, who gave us so many laughs and two classic sitcoms in his incredible career.
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My Нusbаnd Yеllеd аt My Вirthdаy Раrty Тhаt I Wаs Тоо Оld tо Wаnt — My Friеnd Тооk Rеvеngе оn My Веhаlf
Yesterday was my fifty-seventh birthday, and I was excited to celebrate, but my husband, Mike, had other plans. Recently, he’s been mocking my age every chance he gets. During the party, he humiliated me in front of our friends, saying, “You’re too old to dance, Emma. You might break a hip.”
My best friend, Karen, couldn’t take it anymore and revealed a sh.ocking secret: “Mike here can’t perform without popping a little blue pill. And you know how I found out? Because he cheated on Emma with my friend, Linda.”
The room fell silent, and I confronted Mike. “I’m done with your cruelty and your lies. You want to make me feel old and undesirable? Well, here’s a newsflash: I feel more vibrant and alive without you dragging me down.”
I left the party with Karen, feeling liberated and strong. We went to my favorite restaurant, where Karen toasted, “To new beginnings and to never letting anyone dull our sparkle!”
As we celebrated, I noticed a charming man, Alex. Maybe this was the start of something new. From that day forward, I embraced my life and age with renewed vigor, ready to face whatever came next with resilience and strength.
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