Bob Newhart, Comedy Icon, Dies at 94

I’ve had the pleasure of learning about the remarkable life and career of Bob Newhart, a true comedic legend who revolutionized the world of stand-up comedy with his unique “premise” style. Newhart wasn’t just telling jokes; he was painting vivid pictures of everyday situations that resonated deeply with audiences.

Bob Newhart, the witty and subtle comedian known for his popular TV shows “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” which aired from the 1970s to the ’80s, passed away on Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 94 years old.

Newhart’s publicist Jerry Digney said he died after a series of short illnesses.

In more simple terms, Newhart became recognized by younger crowds as “Papa Elf” in the beloved 2003 holiday film “Elf.” More recently, he made appearances in three episodes of the television show “Young Sheldon.”

Prior to his television fame, Newhart’s comedy albums gained immense popularity due to their innovative use of observational humor at the time. For nearly two decades, he dominated TV screens, initially as the puzzled Chicago psychologist in “The Bob Newhart Show,” and later as the equally perplexed New England innkeeper in “Newhart.” His acting in these shows earned him Emmy nominations for three consecutive years from 1985 to 1987. Both shows were successful hits for CBS, airing for a combined total of 16 years between 1972 and 1990.

I was taken aback when this talented actor finally bagged his first Emmy award in 2013. It wasn’t for a leading role or even a recurring part, but rather for his exceptional guest performances on “The Big Bang Theory.” Over six engaging episodes, he left an indelible mark on the beloved sitcom.

Beginning in 1960, Newhart’s comedy monologue recordings gained massive popularity, marking the emergence of a fresh comedy genre that deviated from the Borscht Belt and vaudeville traditions. Instead, it was grounded in observation and psychology. Newhart’s innovative approach paved the way for the quirky humor of comedians like Steve Martin in the future. With his understated, stammering delivery and thought-provoking topics, Newhart subtly challenged conventions and resonated not just in urban settings but also beyond.

I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of groundbreaking figures in various fields, and Bob Newhart is undeniably one such figure in the world of comedy records. His debut album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” was a game-changer in more ways than one. In 1960, when this album was released, Warner Bros. Records was struggling to make ends meet. But Newhart’s witty and clever comedy routines struck a chord with listeners, and the album shot up the Billboard charts, becoming the first comedy album ever to reach the top spot. This success came as a breath of fresh air for Warner Bros., saving them from the brink of financial ruin.

George Robert Newhart was born in Oak Park, Illinois, and followed an unconventional path to a career in entertainment. After completing his commerce degree at Loyola University Chicago in 1952, he joined the US Army. Upon discharge in 1954, he decided to pursue law and enrolled at Loyola Law School. However, he failed to graduate in 1956. Subsequently, Newhart held various odd jobs while acting with an Oak Park community theater group.

Newhart and a companion, Ed Gallagher, attempted to peddle some of their recorded conversations to radio stations. Unfortunately, the tapes didn’t gain any traction. However, Chicago DJ Dan Sorkin took notice of Newhart’s monologues from these recordings and offered him his first radio gig, which unfortunately ended after just five weeks.

Sorkin introduced him to James Conkling, the president of Warner Bros. Records. With Conkling’s help, he landed gigs at Houston’s Tidelands nightclub and recorded his performances. The release of “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” in 1960 became an instant success, leading to the follow-up albums “The Button Down Mind Strikes Back” and “Behind the Button-Down Mind.”

Alongside impressive sales, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” brought Newhart three Grammys in 1961: He was awarded the prize for best new artist and recognized for best comedy performance (spoken word). Notably, this comedy album was also named album of the year, marking a first for comedy records.

In a 2007 NPR interview, Conan O’Brien explained that Newhart employed “setup” comedy in his first album. By elaborating on a situation, no single joke may be particularly amusing, but the cohesive narrative creates an engaging and humorous experience. Jerry Seinfeld is another comedian who utilizes this method.

In the late ’50s and early ’60s, a shift occurred in the comedy scene that I was fortunate enough to be a part of. It wasn’t just me, but there were other pioneers like Mike and Elaine (Nichols & May), Shelley Berman, Mort Sahl, Johnny Winters, and Lenny Bruce. We didn’t focus on telling “take my wife, please” type jokes or typical punchlines. Instead, we experimented with creating small stories, exploring what was genuinely amusing in the world around us. It wasn’t an intentional revolution, but simply our unique approach to comedy.

Newhart’s widely acclaimed recordings earned him invitations to appear as a guest on “The Jack Paar Show” and “The Gary Moore Show.” For a while, he toured the country performing in one-night shows, which reached its peak with a packed performance at Carnegie Hall in 1961. The success of this show paved the way for Newhart’s film debut in Paramount’s comedy “Hell Is for Heroes.”

For several years after working in films such as “Hot Millions,” “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” “Catch-22,” and “Cold Turkey,” Newhart made frequent television appearances and performed in Las Vegas.

In 1992-93 and 1997-98, he gave another chance to acting in television series with “Bob” on CBS, which didn’t do well, and with “George and Leo,” co-starring Judd Hirsch, on CBS as well.

Later in his career, Newhart earned Emmy nominations. In 2003, it was for portraying a blind librarian on “ER”. Another nomination came in 2008 for acting in the TV film “The Curse of the Judas Chalice.”

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Bob Newhart’s illustrious career unfold over the decades through various appearances on iconic television shows. In the 80s and 90s, he graced the stages of “Saturday Night Live,” lending his talent to two episodes. Fast forward to the 90s again, and he voiced himself in an episode of “The Simpsons.” His presence on The Tonight Show was a recurring delight; between 1966 and 1992, he guest-hosted three times, and from 1998 to 2009, he made five appearances on the Leno version.

In the later stages of his career, Newhart made occasional forays into cinema. He featured in the films “In & Out” (1997), “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blue” (2003), and “Elf” (2003).

In his seventies, the comedian continued performing stand-up comedy, averaging around thirty nights a year as of 2006. Surprisingly, he discovered that the jokes from the 1960s remained just as fresh and entertaining for audiences. Newhart’s first comedy special for Showtime, titled “Off the Record,” was released in 1995.

Newhart shared with MacPherson of Comedy Couch that most audience members were between 35 and 40 years old. He performed some comedic pieces from his early albums, and they elicited the same reactions as before. It seems the material remains just as applicable today. Even the Abe Lincoln routine might be more significant now than it was decades ago.

In 2006, I came across a captivating book penned by its author titled “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This.” This literary gem was a unique blend of nostalgic memories and side-splitting humor that left me thoroughly entertained as I turned each page.

In 1993, Newhart was recognized with an induction into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. Additionally, he received the Mark Twain Prize for Humor from the Kennedy Center during the year 2002. Noteworthy, his album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” was selected as one of 25 recordings to be preserved in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2007.

Last year, I lost my beloved wife Ginny. I’m fortunate to be leave behind a loving family, including my children Robert Jr., Timothy, Courtney, and Jennifer, as well as ten precious grandchildren.

2024-07-18 23:17

Bob Newhart, Comedy Icon, Dies at 94

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