Bob Newhart, Dean of the Deadpan Delivery, Dies at 94

by

Bob Newhart, Dean of the Deadpan Delivery, Dies at 94

I have always been fascinated by the remarkable journey of Bob Newhart, a true comedy legend whose career spanned over six decades. His life story is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and adaptability in the ever-changing world of show business.

Beloved comedian Bob Newhart, known for his witty and dry sense of humor displayed in two highly praised CBS sitcoms, passed away on Thursday at the age of 94.

I was sadly reminded today that the legendary Chicago comedian and musician, known for his Grammy-winning 1960 album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” passed away at his Los Angeles residence following a string of health issues. His trusted publicist, Jerry Digney, shared this heartbreaking news with the world.

Previously, the accountant gained recognition only in 2013 when he received an Emmy Award for his role as Arthur Jeffries, also known as Professor Proton, who had previously hosted a children’s science show on CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory.”

Back in 1972, I was just a fledgling gamer discovering the world of television through my beloved console, the boob tube. One day, I stumbled upon an intriguing show called “The Bob Newhart Show.” Now, this wasn’t your typical gaming fare, but I gave it a chance.

Newhart concluded the show in 1978 after filming 142 episodes, yet neither he nor the program received any Emmy nominations or victories. He felt that the series had run out of fresh ideas. However, Newhart returned to CBS in 1982 to star in another MTM Production comedy.

In the TV show “Newhart,” he starred as Dick Loudon, a New York writer who transformed into the innkeeper of the Stratford Inn in Vermont. The series ran for eight successful seasons with an impressive ensemble cast including Mary Frann, Tom Poston, Julia Duffy, Peter Scolari, and the handymen “Larry, Darryl, and their other brother Darryl,” portrayed by William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss, and John Voldstad.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve witnessed some mind-blowing twists in the storylines of my favorite games. And let me tell you, none have left me as utterly surprised and intrigued as the unexpected ending of “Newhart.”

Newhart’s distinctive mannerisms, including pauses and stammering, added to his charm, while his sharp, witty comments reflected his keen observational skills.

He shared in a 1990 conversation with Los Angeles magazine that he finds amusement in the dark and morbid, representing approximately 85% of his true self. The remaining 15%, however, is a deeply disturbed individual with a twisted mind.

He was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1992.

George Robert Newhart was born on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois. Growing up, he was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs. His excitement reached new heights when the Cubs clinched the National League pennant in 1945, leading to a triumphant victory parade down La Salle Street. (Naturally, he was overjoyed when the Cubs finally put an end to their 108-year wait for the World Series title by winning in 2016.)

Newhart hadn’t imagined a career in showbusiness; quite the opposite, its flashy nature clashed with his Midwestern character and might explain why he resonated with the heartland of America.

After graduating from St. Ignatius College Prep and obtaining a commerce degree from Loyola University, Newhart served in the Army for two years before failing to complete law school. Subsequently, he worked as an accountant for U.S. Gypsum and later for The Glidden Company, where he dealt with paint sales.

“He once mentioned in an interview with a business professor at a college, that there seems to be an intriguing link between numbers, music, and comedy. He wasn’t able to explain the exact nature of this connection, but he was certain it existed. For a comedian, it appears as if combining two seemingly unrelated facts results in an absurd outcome.”

To alleviate the boredom at work, Newhart and a friend would entertain each other by making practical jokes over the phone. He eventually developed this into his famous comedic routine, engaging in humorous one-sided conversations (the audience could use their imagination to picture the other party’s side).

They teamed up with a friend and successfully marketed a weekly radio program featuring humorous five-minute segments, broadcast five times a week at a cost of $7.50 per week.

In 1959, a disc jockey friend of Newhart’s in Chicago made an introduction to a Warner Bros. Records executive for him. At that point, the executive was an accountant who had only prepared three comedy routines. However, he managed to develop more content and secured a recording contract with the company as a result.

When I began my journey back in the late 1950s, I didn’t consciously think, “Ah, here’s an empty niche for me to fill – I’ll become a balding ex-accountant with a knack for understated wit.” Instead, that was just who I was and the path my thoughts naturally took. So, it felt organic for me to develop in that way.

The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, recorded live at a nightclub in Houston, became the first comedy album to reach the top of the album charts, selling 1.5 million copies as one of the biggest-selling “talk” albums. The bits included such classics as “Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue” and “Driving Instructor.”

During the emergence of edgy comedians such as Lenny Bruce and Mort Sahl, Newhart’s “The Button-Down Mind” received acclaim and earned him a third Grammy for best comedy performance. Consequently, he began appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

After releasing two more hit albums, I found myself presented with an opportunity for a weekly TV variety show during the 1961-62 season. To my delight, “The Bob Newhart Show” was not only successful but also earned an Emmy award for the year’s outstanding program achievement in comedy and a prestigious Peabody Award.

Despite having an excellent production team, Newhart ended up feeling drained as he took on the full responsibility for the show, working non-stop for seven days a week and around the clock. (Paraphrased by me)

After being presented with numerous sitcom opportunities, he chose to decline and instead focused on improving his acting craft through TV guest appearances and film projects. His journey began with a role in “Hell Is for Heroes” (1962), directed by Don Siegel, featuring Steve McQueen. He continued with parts in films such as “Hot Millions” (1968), Mike Nichols’ “Catch-22” (1970), and Norman Lear’s “Cold Turkey” (1971).

For a while, Dave Davis and Lorenzo Music, the co-creators of “The Newhart Show,” had harbored a desire to collaborate with the comedian.

Davis shared with THR in an interview about the making of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” that:

As a weary gamer, I’ve spent years traveling from one gig to another, performing stand-up comedy in countless venues across vast distances. The monotony of it all had become tiresome, and the thought of a stable life at home with my loved ones was increasingly appealing. So when Arthur Price, my manager at MTM, approached me with an intriguing offer, I couldn’t help but listen. For twelve long years, I’d been on the road, always moving, never staying in one place for too long. The allure of a normal life was too strong to resist.

In simpler terms, I preferred the show not to portray my father as a bumbling fool who is lovably inept and constantly finds himself in trouble, requiring his family’s assistance to extricate him.

In 1992, he started another new project called “Bob,” where he portrayed a cult comic book artist. Unfortunately, this show didn’t gain any popularity. Similarly, in “George & Leo,” he acted as a bookstore owner alongside Judd Hirsch, but that series also failed to attract an audience.

I made an appearance on NBC’s ER for three exciting episodes, where I portrayed a doctor dealing with macular degeneration, which even earned me another Emmy nomination. Additionally, I joined the cast of ABC’s Desperate Housewives and played the loving husband to Lesley Ann Warren’s character.

In more recent projects, Newhart appeared in three made-for-TV films of “The Librarians” and later starred in a series produced by TNT.

I have had the pleasure of observing and appreciating the versatile acting career of Bob Newhart. His talent extends beyond just one genre or role, as evidenced by his diverse range of projects throughout the decades.

I was thrilled when Chicago paid tribute to my beloved comedian, Bob Newhart, by erecting a statue of him on Michigan Avenue. The statue depicted him seated in a chair with an empty psychiatrist’s couch next to him, just like in the opening credits of “The Bob Newhart Show.” However, it was eventually moved to Navy Pier.

In the year 2002, he was the fifth person to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center. Four years after that, he published his memoirs titled “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This.”

From January 1963 until her passing in April 2023 at the age of 82, Newhart was married to Virginia “Ginny” Quinn. Their introduction came through a blind date arranged by comedian Buddy Hackett, with Ginny looking after Hackett’s children at the time.

In a 2013 interview, she shared that Buddy returned one day with an unexpected suggestion. He had met a young man named Bobby Newhart, who was a comic and Catholic like herself, and he believed they would make a good match.

During a Christmas party where both she and Pleshette were present, she suggested the ingenious conclusion for the “Newhart” series.

The Newharts and Don Rickles, along with his spouse Barbara, enjoyed frequent friendships and shared many vacations.

Survivors include his children, Robert Jr., Timothy, Courtney and Jennifer, and 10 grandchildren.

Read More

2024-07-18 22:55