George Robert Newhart, known as Bob Newhart, was born on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois. He was the son of George David Newhart, a part-owner of a plumbing and heating supply business, and Julia Pauline (Burns) Newhart, a housewife. Raised in a Roman Catholic household, Newhart was of Irish and German descent. He attended St. Catherine of Siena Grammar School in Oak Park and later St. Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit high school in Chicago.
Newhart went on to Loyola University Chicago, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1952. Following his graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War, although he was never deployed overseas. After his discharge from the Army, Newhart worked as an accountant for United States Gypsum.
Dissatisfied with his job, he tried his hand at advertising, which also proved unfulfilling. His break came when he and a friend, Ed Gallagher, started recording comedy sketches. When Gallagher decided to abandon the venture, Newhart continued solo, creating a series of comedic monologues. His unique, deadpan delivery and one-sided telephone conversations quickly caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records.
In 1960, Warner Bros. released his first album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” which became a massive hit. It reached number one on the Billboard pop album chart and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. His follow-up, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!” was also highly successful.
LPs
- The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart (Warner Bros. Records, 1960) Live
- The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back! (Warner Bros. Records, 1960) Live
- Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart (Warner Bros. Records, 1961) Live
- The Button-Down Mind on TV (Warner Bros. Records, 1962) Live
- Bob Newhart Faces Bob Newhart (Warner Bros. Records, 1964) Live
- The Windmills Are Weakening (Warner Bros. Records, 1965) Live
- This Is It! (Warner Bros. Records, 1967) Live
- Button-Down Concert (Nick at Nite Records, 1997) Live
- Masters (Warner Bros. Records, 1973) Compilation
- Bob Newhart (Pickwick Super Stars, 1980) Compilation
- Something Like This…: The Bob Newhart Anthology (Warner Bros./Rhino, 2001) Compilation
These albums cemented Newhart’s status as a leading figure in American comedy. Bob Newhart’s television career is illustrious and spans several decades. He first gained national attention with “The Bob Newhart Show,” which aired from 1961 to 1962.
This variety show showcased his stand-up routines, skits, and musical performances, although it was short-lived it earned Newhart a Primetime Emmy Award nomination and a Peabody Award. His TV breakthrough came with the sitcom “The Bob Newhart Show,” which aired from 1972 to 1978.
He played Dr. Robert Hartley, a Chicago psychologist dealing with a variety of quirky patients and friends. The show was a critical and commercial success, and it remains a classic of American television comedy.
He was also a frequent guest host on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” where his comedic timing and charm won over late-night audiences by filling in 87 times throughout the years. In 1982, Newhart returned to television with “Newhart,” where he played Dick Loudon, an innkeeper in rural Vermont. This show also enjoyed significant success and ran until 1990.
Its series finale is particularly famous for its clever twist ending, which revealed the entire series to have been a dream of Dr. Robert Hartley from his previous show. Newhart’s other TV credits include “Bob” (1992-1993), “George & Leo” (1997-1998),
and guest appearances on shows such as “ER,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “The Big Bang Theory,” for which he won his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2013.
TV
- 1960–1962 The Ed Sullivan Show Comedian (4 ep)
- 1961–1962 The Bob Newhart Show (variety series) (27 ep)
- 1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
- 1963 The Judy Garland Show
- 1964 The Entertainers
- 1965 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
- 1967 Captain Nice
- 1967 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Hollywood
- 1968–1970 Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In (3 ep)
- 1971 Decisions! Decisions!
- 1972 The Don Rickles Show
- 1973 Insight (2 ep)
- 1974 Thursday’s Game
- 1972–1978 The Bob Newhart Show (142 ep)
- 1980 Marathon
- 1980, 1995 Saturday Night Live (2 ep)
- 1982–1990 Newhart (184 ep)
- 1991 The Bob Newhart Show: The 19th Anniversary Special
- 1992–1993 Bob (33 episodes)
- 1994 Murphy Brown
- 1996 The Simpsons
- 1997–1998 George and Leo (22 ep)
- 2001 Mad TV
- 2001 Untitled Sisqo Project
- 2001 The Sports Pages
- 2003 ER (3 e)
- 2004 The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
- 2005 Desperate Housewives (3 ep)
- 2005 Committed
- 2006 The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines
- 2008 The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice
- 2011 NCIS
- 2011 Five
- 2013–2018 The Big Bang Theory (6 ep)
- 2014 Don Rickles: One Night Only
- 2014 The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
- 2015 Hot in Cleveland
- 2014–2017 The Librarians (3 ep)
- 2017–2020 Young Sheldon (3 ep)
Newhart’s film career began in the early 1960s. He made his debut in “Hell Is for Heroes” (1962), a war film starring Steve McQueen. He appeared in several other films, including “Hot Millions” (1968) and “Catch-22” (1970).
One of his later notable roles was as the voice of Bernard in Disney’s animated films “The Rescuers” (1977) and “The Rescuers Down Under” (1990). In 2003, Newhart gained renewed acclaim for his role as Papa Elf in the holiday film “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell.
His warm and humorous portrayal added a memorable touch to the popular movie, introducing him to a new generation of fans. Bob also made a cameo appearance as a sadistic but appreciative CEO at the end of the comedy Horrible Bosses (2011).
Film
- 1962 Hell Is for Heroes
- 1968 Hot Millions
- 1970 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
- 1970 Catch-22
- 1971 Cold Turkey
- 1977 The Rescuers
- 1980 Little Miss Marker
- 1980 First Family
- 1990 The Rescuers Down Under
- 1991 The Entertainers
- 1997 In & Out
- 1998 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
- 2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde
- 2003 Elf
- 2007 Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
- 2011 Horrible Bosses
- 2012 Excavating the 2000 Year Old Man
- 2013 Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
- 2023 Once Upon a Studio
In 2006, Bob Newhart published his memoir, “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!: And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny.” The book details his journey through comedy, his experiences in the entertainment industry, and his personal philosophy. It provides an intimate look at his life and career, peppered with his signature humor. Bob Newhart married Virginia “Ginnie” Quinn, the daughter of actor Bill Quinn, on January 12, 1963. The couple has four children: Robert, Timothy, Jennifer, and Courtney.
The Newharts were great friends with Don Rickles and his wife, Barbara, and the couples often vacationed together.
They have remained married for over six decades, a testament to their strong relationship. Newhart is known for his devout Catholic faith, which he has credited for providing stability and guidance throughout his life. Aside from his professional pursuits,
Newhart has a keen interest in history and enjoys reading historical novels. He is also known for his passion for golf, often participating in celebrity tournaments and charity events. Over the years, Bob Newhart has made various investments and business ventures. His savvy financial management and wise investment choices have contributed to his substantial net worth. He has invested in real estate and various other business opportunities, ensuring a secure financial future for himself and his family.
Newhart was an early home-computer hobbyist, purchasing the Commodore PET after its 1977 introduction. In 2001, he wrote “Later, I moved up to the 64 KB model and thought that was silly because it was more memory than I would ever possibly need.”
Bob Newhart’s contributions to comedy and entertainment have been widely recognized. He has won several Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.” He has also received numerous Emmy nominations, winning his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2013 for his guest role on “The Big Bang Theory.” In 1998, he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, one of the highest honors in comedy.
Additionally, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, commemorating his impact on the entertainment industry. Bob Newhart’s legacy in the world of comedy is indelible. His unique style, characterized by his deadpan delivery and impeccable timing, has influenced countless comedians.
His work, whether through his groundbreaking comedy albums, beloved television shows, or memorable film roles, continues to entertain and inspire new generations. As a pioneer of stand-up comedy and a television icon, Bob Newhart’s contributions to the entertainment industry are both significant and enduring.
Bob Newhart died Thurday, July 18, 2024, after a series of short illnesses. He was 94 years old. He is survived by his four children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy and Robert, and numerous grandchildren. His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, passed away in 2023.
Further Reading
Sources
- ABC News “Bob Newhart, comedian and actor known for ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ dies at 94” https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/comedian-bob-newhart-dies-94/story?id=112074998
- The Hollywood Reporter “Bob Newhart, Dean of the Deadpan Delivery, Dies at 94” https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bob-newhart-dead-sitcom-legend-1235952438/
- CBS News “Bob Newhart, comedy icon and star of “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” dies at age 94″ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-newhart-dies-age-94-bob-newhart-show/
- Wikipedia “Bob Newhart” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Newhart
- “Bob Newhart.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television. Available at: Biography“
- Bob Newhart.” IMDb. Available at: IMDb
- “The Bob Newhart Show.” Television Academy Foundation. Available at: Television Academy
- “Bob Newhart and Elf.” Looper. Available at: Looper
- “Bob Newhart’s Guest Hosting on Johnny Carson.” Television Academy. Available at: Television Academy
- Wikipedia “Newhart” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newhart
- Wikipedia “The Bob Newhart Show” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bob_Newhart_Show
- Times of India “‘The Big Bang Theory’ star Bob Newhart passes away at age 94” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/the-big-bang-theory-star-bob-newhart-passes-away-at-age-94/articleshow/111848781.cms
