- author, Max Matza and Samantha Granville
- stock, BBC News
American stand-up comedy legend Bob Newhart, whose deadpan delivery style won him numerous awards, has died aged 94.
Newhart, star of the television series The Bob Newhart Show, died at home after a brief illness, his publicist said in a statement to the BBC on Thursday.
Newhart became a stand-up comic after starting his career as an accountant in Chicago. He guest-hosted 87 times on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.
Most recently, he starred in the classic Christmas movie Elf and The Big Bang Theory.
The son of a plumber in suburban Chicago, Newhart graduated from Loyola University in 1952 with a business degree.
He served in the Army for two years during the Korean War and then enrolled in graduate law school before dropping out.
He and a friend soon began recording improvised comedy routines. In 1959, he was discovered by a local DJ, who recommended him to the newly formed Warner Bros. Records.
His live recording from The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart’s Houston Comedy Club became his first comedy album to top the charts.
Seven more albums were released after that, selling millions of copies.
His longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, wrote in a statement announcing his death that Newhart spent his life “working as an accountant by day in Chicago and moonlighting as a comedian and writer by night.”
Newhart was known as a pioneer of stand-up routines that included long stories, rather than a single punchline joke at the end, with funny statements throughout.
“A (comedic) sea change is taking place,” he said, according to his publicist.
Newhart separated himself from other comedians of his generation with his modern outlook and observations, his voice not raised and at times almost choked.
As he stood on stage, his only prop was a phone, which he pretended to be conversing with someone on the other end of the line.
Loved by audiences, Newhart never really retired and was still a fixture on Hollywood sets and stages well into her 80s.
Comedy director Judd Apatow was among those paying tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Bob Newhart was a very happy man,” she posted: “His witty humor and gentle spirit made everyone he met very happy.”
Actress Kaley Cuoco, who worked with Newhart on The Big Bang Theory, posted on Instagram: “What a dream to see the genius that is Bob Newhart.
“He was classy, ​​kind, generous and absolutely hilarious.”
Director and actor Paul Feig posted on X: “An amazing actor and comedian, he’s truly one of a kind.”
“God, he was hilarious! Bob Newhart. You will be missed!” actress Jamie Lee Curtis posted on Instagram.
Newhart is survived by her four children and numerous grandchildren.
His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginny” Newhart, died in 2023.
