Iconic actor Bob Newhart has died aged 94.
The comedy legend Bob Newhart passed away at his LA home on Thursday after a series of short illnesses, his longtime publicist, Jerry Digney confirmed.
A statement from his family read: ‘Our father passed away this morning surrounded by all our family. We feel blessed that he is reunited with our mom and all of his friends waiting for him.
‘Thank you for all of your well wishes. He was deeply loved by all, but especially by his children and grandchildren. Love to all, The Newhart Family.’ The post was accompanied by a photo of Newhart with wife Ginnie, best friend Don Rickles and his wife Barbara.
Bob Newhart began his career as a stand-up comedian before launching a hugely successful acting career. His deadpan delivery and trademark stammering made him a comic sensation.
His accolades include three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
He famously starred as Papa Elf in 2003 Will Ferrell comedy, Elf and played Susan Mayer’s stepfather Morty Flicker in Desperate Housewives in 2005.
Landing his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1962 for his comedy variety show – The Bob Newhart Show – he would finally scoop the accolade in 2013 for his role as Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton on The Big Bang Theory.
He would reprise this role in three episodes of the show’s spin-off, Young Sheldon.
He was married to Ginnie Quinn – the daughter of actor Bill Quinn – from 1963 until her death aged 82 in April 2023.
He is survived by their four children, sons Robert and Timothy and daughters Jennifer and Courtney – and 10 grandchildren.
Stars including Mark Hamill, Alec Baldwin and Quinta Brunson led tributes to Newhart.
Star Wars actor Hamill wrote: ‘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!’
Newhart – who began his entertainment career as a comedian in the late 1950s – scored two big hit sitcoms playing Robert Hartley on The Bob
Newhart Show (1972-1978) and Dick Loudon in Newhart (1982-1990).
In one of his final interviews in November 2023 Newhart said Elf was his favorite role to play in his storied 70 year career.
‘Without question, the part of Papa Elf outranks, by far, any role I may have ever played,’ Newhart declared in a new email interview with CNN.
‘My agent sent me the script and I fell in love with it,’ the Oak Park, Illinois native revealed, before telling his wife, Virginia Quinn, that it was ‘going to be another Miracle on 34th Street, where people watch it every year.’
Directed by Jon Favreau from a screenplay by David Berenbaum, Ferrell played the lead role of Buddy The Elf, who was raised by Newhart’s Papa Elf in the North Pole, who travels to New York to meet his biological father, a curmudgeonly business executive played by the late James Caan.