Extremely sad news to come from the world of television today, comedy legend Bob Newhart has passed away at the age of 94.
The accountant-turned-comedian’s influence cannot be overstated, as he influenced generations of comedians with his wry observations and deadpan delivery.
After becoming famous on the 1960 stand-up comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” Newhart spent seven decades in show business. In the process, he has accumulated decades of acting experience.
Which does not include one, but three Situation comedy of the same name: The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978), The Newhart Show (1982-1990) and The Bob Newhart Show ( 1992-1993), all aired on CBS.
The mid-series ended with one of the greatest meta-jokes in television history, involving Newhart’s character, Susanna Plessett (who played his wife on “The Bob Newhart Show”). Next to wake up and realize that everything that happened later in the show was a dream.
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The joke was emblematic of Newhart’s style, which was both traditional and comforting yet boldly experimental, an approach that allowed him to appeal to hippies and their parents in the ’60s and ’70s.
Later generations also came to love Newhart, thanks in large part to his appearance in the Will Ferrell Christmas classic “Elf,” as well as his roles in “The Simpsons” and “Big Life” Guest appearances in shows such as Explosion.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1929, Newhart seemed destined for a traditional life, and in many ways he always embodied the traditional Midwestern values with which he was raised:
The father of four and Army veteran was married to his wife, Virginia Quinn, from 1963 until her death last year.
But in his thirties, Newhart left accounting and began one of the most successful comedy careers of all time.
He carries himself with dignity and dignity, but actually possesses a surprisingly acerbic wit and a hilariously wry view of the world around him.
“I tend to find humor in horror. I’d say 85 percent of me is what you see on the show. The other 15 percent is seriously ill and insane,” Newhart told Los Angeles magazine in 1990. From The Hollywood Reporter).
Casual fans who only know the soft-spoken star from sitcoms might be surprised by his self-esteem.
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But Newhart die-hards—those who remember his scathing monologues and collected his revered albums from the ’60s—know that such trenchant observations could only come from a man acutely aware of the tragic consequences of A mind that becomes such a comedy of flaws and weaknesses.
Many of Newhart’s classic clips are sure to be shared across social media in the days to come.
If you’re a long-time fan, take this opportunity to revisit the master’s best work.
If you’re new, get ready to appreciate the genius of one of the most gifted humorists of the 20th century.
Over to you, TV fanatics.
Hit the comments section below to share your fondest memories of the late, great Bob Newhart.
