“His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy.”
Bob Newhart, the deadpan comedian known for a pair of hit CBS sitcoms and roles in projects from Elf to The Big Bang Theory, has died at 94 after a series of short illnesses. Since his publicist confirmed the news, tributes to Newhart have been pouring in from across the industry. Mayim Bialik said in a statement to People that watching The Bob Newhart Show was some of her “earliest training in the art of the sitcom.” Newhart later became Bialik’s co-star in The Big Bang Theory, for which he won an Emmy for his role as Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton. “He was effortlessly professional, poised, hilarious and incredibly approachable,” Bialik recalled. “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!” Fellow Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco wrote on her Instagram Story, “What a dream it was to witness the genius that was Bob Newhart. He was classy, kind, generous and absolutely hilarious. Every take - every time. Icon forever ????.” Iain Armitage, who led the spinoff show Young Sheldon, told People in a statement, “Bob’s Professor Proton was inspiring to Sheldon, and his career as an actor was inspiring to me. He was loved and will be missed.”
Lesley Ann Warren, who played Newhart’s wife on Desperate Housewives, complimented his “understated and sublimely intelligent” delivery in a statement to People, adding that he was a “complete joy” to work with.” Several celebs also acknowledged Newhart’s influence on their own work or view of comedy. “What a life lived. #goat,” Abbott Elementary creator wrote in an Instagram Story, adding that a running gag involving brothers on Newhart “was one of my comedy ‘aha’ moments as a kid.” Below, find social media tributes from Judd Apatow, Jamie Lee Curtis, Al Franken, and more.
Bob Newhart 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. His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy. "Bob and Don: A…
— Judd Apatow ???????? (@JuddApatow) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart made the world a better place for a really long time. pic.twitter.com/n2TqaX7a3C
— Judd Apatow ???????? (@JuddApatow) July 18, 2024
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!#RIP pic.twitter.com/NlkJNuOw80
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 18, 2024
And we lose another comedy legend. I had the honor of doing a guest role on Newhart & got to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart making us all laugh. A brilliant standup & comedic actor, he was truly one of a kind. His legacy will live on. https://t.co/dxGXnLoPYx
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) July 18, 2024
Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him.
— Bill Prady ⚛️ (@billprady) July 18, 2024
Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life pic.twitter.com/RjKIpfhF8T
I started off as your fan, then I became your writer, then I became your friend. But all the time I remained your fan. R.I.P. #BobNewhart pic.twitter.com/YKvWLW7XGv
— Alan Zweibel (@AlanZweibel) July 18, 2024
When I worked on Big Bang Theory, each episode involved a few days of rehearsal before we did camera blocking and the...
Posted by Wil Wheaton on Thursday, July 18, 2024
@BobNewhart has passed away.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) July 18, 2024
A great comedian, a gentle wonderful man. In ‘60 he won 3 Grammy Awards! Best New Artist,ALBUM OF THE YEAR and Best Comedy performance. Only comedian to win BNA and Album of the year! Amazingly he was an accountant until he was 30 yrs old.
His sitcom…
Every time I met Bob Newhart, he was EXACTLY Bob Newhart: witty, graceful, low-key, and friendly. We often talk about how someone lights up a room when they enter, but Bob Newhart had an essence that was equally impressive: when he exited a room, he left everyone smiling. pic.twitter.com/5rYO6FuSP4
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) July 18, 2024
when i was 12, i wrote letters to comedians asking how to do stand-up. bob newhart was the only one to reply
— Dan Perlman (@danjperlman) July 18, 2024
Such a loss! One of my first jobs in LA was the old Bob Newhart Show, directed by Dick Martin, of Rowan & Martin. What a joy to work with that group! Bob was so kind & such a doll, and always so gracious whenever I ran into him over these decades. A real One-Of-A-Kind! A loss… https://t.co/FyF8ozv11G
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) July 18, 2024
RIP the incredible Bob Newhart, a true king among men and one of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know since he guest starred on Big Bang Theory. This was the day he taped the Star Wars episode, truly a fun day. pic.twitter.com/cKgLCACv9b
— Lesley Goldberg (@Snoodit) July 18, 2024
RIP the great Bob Newhart. I worked with him on IN&OUT, where he was revered by everyone on the set as comedy royalty. He was also a warm and delightful person, with no star ego. Watching him in action was a privilege - his persona and skill were matchless pic.twitter.com/pcOV2GJGXK
— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) July 18, 2024
RIP Bob Newhart. I loved him. I played weather girl Buffy Denver on his show and he couldn't have been nicer or more supportive. You CAN meet your hero's, because he was everything. https://t.co/1vcWpXbP4p
— Miss Julie Brown (@missjuliebrown) July 18, 2024
There aren’t many comedians that I admired as much,or frankly,stole from as much as Bob Newhart.He made quietly thinking on camera hilarious.The pause was his art. Clearly,in this photo you can see the admiration was mutual.A loving goodbye to one of the greatest comics ever. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nzMe9bu6JQ
— Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart was a giant, a genius, and a great guy. I’ll always remember when he hosted SNL and did a stellar show. He was, as you might expect, a joy to work with. May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/5EUfsdR37g
— Al Franken (@alfranken) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart was among the kindest guest stars we ever had on the Simpsons and he was possibly the most revered. More writers came to his voice record for his spot on "Bart the Fink" than I had ever seen.
— Josh Weinstein (@Joshstrangehill) July 18, 2024
RIP to one of the founders of modern comedy. https://t.co/VPpaK7opH0
A highlight of my newspaper career: Interviewing Bob Newhart, and later, with Neetha, meeting him backstage after a Toronto show. When I said I liked his later, unsuccessful sitcom, BOB, he said, "Oh, you're the one who saw it." A legend. pic.twitter.com/EABZne4TZb
— Linwood Barclay (@linwood_barclay) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart wasn't just a great standup comedian, he expanded the definition of what a stand up comedian could be. Plus, he gave us not one, but two hilarious long-running sitcoms. Amazing. One of the greats. Rest In Peace.
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) July 18, 2024
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