- author, Max Mazza and Samantha Glanville
- role, BBC News
Bob Newhart, the American stand-up comedy legend who won numerous awards for his deadpan delivery, has died aged 94.
Newhart, star of the TV series “The Bob Newhart Show,” died at his home after a series of brief illnesses, his publicist said in a statement provided to the BBC on Thursday.
Newhart began his career as an accountant in Chicago before becoming a stand-up comedian and later guest-hosting The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson 87 times.
More recently, he starred in the Christmas classics “Elf” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
The son of a plumber in suburban Chicago, Newhart graduated from Loyola University in 1952 with a degree in business administration.
He served in the Army for two years during the Korean War and then enrolled in law school but dropped out.
Soon after, he and a friend began recording improvisational comedy acts, and in 1959 he was discovered by a local DJ and recommended to the newly formed Warner Bros. Records.
Recorded live at a Houston comedy club, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart became his first comedy album to top the charts.
Seven more albums followed, selling millions of copies.
In a statement announcing his death, Newhart’s longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, said Newhart began his career “working as an accountant in Chicago by day and moonlighting as a comedian and writer by night.”
Newhart was known for pioneering long story-based stand-up shows that featured a series of funny remarks from start to finish, rather than a single joke at the end.
According to his publicist, he said, “Big changes were happening (in comedy).”
Newhart’s modern perspective and observant speaking style, never raising his voice and almost stammering at times, set him apart from other comedians of his generation.
When he performed stand-up, the only prop he had was a telephone, which he used to pretend to have a conversation with someone on the other end.
Newhart loved audiences so much that he never retired, continuing to work on Hollywood sets and stages well into his 80s.
Comedy director Judd Apatow was among those paying tribute on X, the social networking website formerly known as Twitter.
“Bob Newhart was the kindest, funniest man,” he posted, adding, “His brilliant comedy and kind heart brought so much joy to all who met him.”
Actress Kaley Cuoco, who starred with Newhart on The Big Bang Theory, posted on Instagram that it was a dream come true to have had the opportunity to witness the genius that is Bob Newhart.
“He was a gracious, kind, generous and really funny guy.”
Director and actor Paul Feig posted on X: “A brilliant stand-up comedian and actor, he was truly one of a kind.”
“Oh he was funny! Bob Newhart. I will miss you!” actress Jamie Lee Curtis posted on Instagram.
Newhart is survived by four children and numerous grandchildren.
His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginny” Newhart, passed away in 2023.
