‘Newhart’ star died from natural causes on July 18
Bob Newhart, a comedy legend whose career spanned seven decades, passed away at age 94 from natural causes following a series of short illnesses. His publicist, Jerry Digney, confirmed that Newhart died Thursday morning at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
Known for his quieter, deadpan style of comedy, Newhart influenced countless performers and television shows. “I think we all were influenced by it,” writer and comedian Judd Apatow told The Hollywood Reporter about Newhart’s groundbreaking sitcom, “The Bob Newhart Show.” “It was very different than what we had seen before it.”
Newhart’s path to entertainment was unconventional. Growing up in the Chicago area, he attended Loyola University Chicago, earning a degree in business management. After being drafted and serving in the Korean War, he was discharged in 1954 and worked as an accountant. It was during this time that he developed his humor by improvising routines with a bored co-worker.
Newhart’s comedic material was recorded, and through a friend, he met with the head of Warner Brothers Records. Impressed by the material, Warner Brothers offered him a contract. Newhart’s album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” became the first comedy album to reach No. 1 on the charts after its release in 1961. The album earned him two Grammys: Best New Artist and Album of the Year. His follow-up album, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!” won a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance (Spoken).
Reflecting on his early career, Newhart told “Today” in 2017, “People kept telling me, ‘You’re funny, you should go to New York,’ and I said, ‘I’m going to give this a shot.’ I was just about to go back into accounting, and I got this recording contract. Most comedians, most stand-ups, spend 20 years in the trenches. I had to learn at the top. It was tough.”
Newhart also starred in a short-lived NBC variety show, “The Bob Newhart Variety Show,” which won an Emmy for Best Comedy Series and a Peabody Award but only lasted a single season.
Bob Newhart’s enduring impact on comedy and Hollywood is undeniable. His unique style and pioneering work paved the way for future generations of comedians, leaving a legacy that will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
Bob Newhart’s Trailblazing Television Career
Bob Newhart’s impact on television extended far beyond his early successes. He made numerous appearances before landing his groundbreaking sitcom, “The Bob Newhart Show,” on CBS. The show was produced in part by Mary Tyler Moore’s company, MTM Enterprises.
“The key to building a show around a stand-up is maintaining the integrity of the persona you create,” Newhart told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018.
In the show, Newhart played Dr. Robert Hartley, a psychiatrist navigating life with his wife (played by Suzanne Pleshette), friends, patients, and co-workers, finding humor in everyday situations.
“The Bob Newhart Show” broke new ground in several ways. Scenes between Newhart and Pleshette often took place with them chatting in a shared bed, which was rare at the time.
“We were the first married TV couple to have a single bed,” Newhart told Closer Weekly in 2017. “I didn’t think it was risky. I just thought it was about time.”
Notably, the couple in the show did not have any children.
“I love kids. I have four of my own, but I didn’t want to be the dumb father that seemed to be in every sitcom,” Newhart told Variety in 2017. “I said that wasn’t the kind of show I wanted to do. And that was one of the more unusual things about the show.”
“The Bob Newhart Show” was also one of the first series to feature a gay character, portrayed by future “WKRP in Cincinnati” star Howard Hesseman. Hesseman’s recurring character, a struggling screenwriter, came out in the episode “Some of My Best Friends Are…” in season 5.
“It was a great piece of writing. I couldn’t wait to play it,” Newhart told Variety about the episode.
The show also addressed mental illness, finding humor in what was typically a serious topic.
Bob Newhart’s television career was marked by his ability to blend humor with groundbreaking content, paving the way for future sitcoms and challenging societal norms. His work on “The Bob Newhart Show” remains a testament to his innovative approach to comedy and storytelling.