Elf Star Pays Tribute to Papa Elf Actor Bob Newhart: ‘Such a Kind & Generous Man’

Elf Star Pays Tribute to Papa Elf Actor Bob Newhart: 'Such a Kind & Generous Man'

As a long-time gamer and avid movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss with the passing of Bob Newhart. His talent and charm have brought joy to my life for decades, from his iconic role as Papa Elf in “Elf” to his appearances on shows like “The Big Bang Theory.” Working with him must have been an absolute dream come true for the cast and crew.


Zooey Deschanel, an elf in “Elf” (2003), has honored Bob Newhart in memory of the esteemed comic actor who collaborated with Deschanel and Will Ferrell on the beloved holiday film. In conversation with Variety, Deschanel described Newhart as a “wonderful and thoughtful person.”

“In my opinion, the finest actors exhibit remarkable generosity. This gentleman, who was incredibly kind, generous, and hilarious without being self-centered, embodied this quality perfectly. It was a pleasure working with him due to his kindness, sweetness, and overall wonderful disposition.”

I was deeply saddened to learn that Bob Newhart, a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, passed away at his Los Angeles home on July 18, 2024. He was 94 years old and had been dealing with several health complications. The news was confirmed by his longtime publicist, Jerry Digney. Many famous faces from Hollywood, including Reese Witherspoon, Conan O’Brien, Alec Baldwin, Judd Apatow, Al Franken, Mark Hamill, and Jamie Lee Curtis, as well as President Joe Biden, have since paid their respects in tribute to Newhart.

Bob Newhart will be cherished by countless fans for his performance in “Elf,” where he portrayed Papa Elf, Buddy’s adoptive father and the film’s narrator. Newhart’s dry wit complemented Will Ferrell’s exuberant energy flawlessly. In this role, Newhart brought to life a loving and composed character, who was aware that he would eventually need to reveal to his son Buddy that he is human and not the Christmas elf he had always believed himself to be. The duo of Bob Newhart and Papa Elf will undoubtedly continue to be a beloved holiday tradition.

The Big Bang Theory Cast Have Paid Tribute to Bob Newhart

Elf Star Pays Tribute to Papa Elf Actor Bob Newhart: 'Such a Kind & Generous Man'Elf Star Pays Tribute to Papa Elf Actor Bob Newhart: 'Such a Kind & Generous Man'Elf Star Pays Tribute to Papa Elf Actor Bob Newhart: 'Such a Kind & Generous Man'Elf Star Pays Tribute to Papa Elf Actor Bob Newhart: 'Such a Kind & Generous Man'Elf Star Pays Tribute to Papa Elf Actor Bob Newhart: 'Such a Kind & Generous Man'

In addition to his role as Elf, Bob Newhart gained a large following anew through his appearance as Professor Proton on The Big Bang Theory, which was a popular CBS sitcom. Many cast and crew members have honored Newhart since then, with Kaley Cuoco, who portrayed Penny in the series, expressing her admiration on Instagram Stories. She shared, “It was an absolute pleasure to witness Bob Newhart’s genius. He was graceful, considerate, giving, and unfailingly funny. Every single take – every time. An icon for eternity. I will never forget you, Bob! Thank you for making our dreams a reality.”

Her co-star Mayim Bialik, who starred as Amy in The Big Bang Theory, also reflected fondly on her time working with Newhart on the show, which she called “absolutely a dream come true.”

When I was growing up, The Bob Newhart Show brought me countless hours of amusement – it played a significant role in introducing me to the world of sitcoms. Later on, getting the chance to work alongside him on TBBT was more than just a dream come true. Bob was naturally professional, always ready with a poised performance that left us in stitches. He was not only incredibly funny but also approachable and kind. Working with Bob was an honor, a privilege, and a reminder of the comedy greats we seldom encounter nowadays. His absence will be deeply felt.

Zooey Deschanel will appear next in the live-action Harold and the Purple Crayon film, featuring Zachary Levi as her co-star. The movie is slated for a theater release on August 2, 2024.

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2024-07-23 18:31