The world has lost a legendary actor and stand-up comedian as Bob Newhart dies at the age of 94. Beloved for his deadpan line delivery and comedic monologues, Newhart’s long career included countless starring and supporting roles, as well as a few unforgettable interview moments. Whether you know him from The Bob Newhart Show or his role in Elf, The Big Bang Theory, or The Rescuers, you’ve likely encountered Newhart’s signature humor time and time again. According to his publicist, Jerry Digney, Newhart died in his LA home this morning after a series of brief illnesses.
Bob Newhart’s Life and Career
Newhart won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best New Artist for his 1960 record The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, and six decades later was still producing some of the industry’s finest comedy. Though his role as Professor Proton on The Big Bang Theory helped cement his legacy with the next generation of TV and film fans, his career and achievements speak for themselves. It’s often only after the loss of a great entertainer that we feel the true scope of their impact on others, both professionally and in the private lives of those they knew and loved.
It’s no accident that the character of Professor Proton inspired Sheldon Cooper and countless other scientists; Newhart had much the same effect on comedians in real life. The same sharp wit and knowing look that made him an icon of the stage and screen endeared him to his colleagues as he carved a reputation for irrepressible talent. His role as Pvt. James Driscoll in 1962’s Hell Is for Heroes helped launch a TV and film career that would continue for half a century. Though he’s now gone, his oeuvre remains as both a testament to his accomplishments and a gift to his fans, present and future.
