Bob Newhart, the revered stand-up comedian whose deadpan and memorable performances on two acclaimed CBS sitcoms cemented his place among comedy’s elite, passed away Thursday morning at the age of 94.
Bob Newhart launched his comedy career in the 1950s and achieved acclaim with his 1960 comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
In 1961, he transitioned to television with “The Bob Newhart Show,” a half-hour variety program that garnered multiple award nominations but was canceled after one seasson.
In 1972, a decade later, Bob Newhart launched another successful series titled “The Bob Newhart Show.” Running until 1978, the sitcom starred the comedian as a Chicago psychologist navigating life with his wife.
Following this, “Newhart” debuted, featuring a New York writer’s endeavor to reopen an abandoned inn in Vermont.
Following his earlier successes, Newhart starred in two more sitcoms: “Bob” in 1992 and “George & Leo” in 1997.
Despite his prolific career, Newhart did not receive an Emmy Award until 2013.
He earned the award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Arthur Jeffries in “The Big Bang Theory.”
Disney fans may recognize him as the voice of Bernard from “The Rescuers” films. He also played Papa Elf in the cult classic Christmas movie “Elf.”
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