Bob Newhart, comedy icon and star of “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” dies at age 94
Bob Newhart, the actor and comedian who starred in “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” has died, his publicist confirmed to CBS News. He was 94.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the Newhart family wrote: “Our father passed away this morning surrounded by all our family. We feel blessed that he is reunited with our mom and all of his friends waiting for him. Thank you for all of your well wishes. He was deeply loved by all, but especially by his children and grandchildren.”
Newhart, who was from the Chicago area, worked as an accountant until his career in show business took off. In 1960, when at age 30 his album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” rose to No. 1 on the Billboard charts, the first comedy album to ever hit the top spot.
Sunday Profile: Bob Newhart
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Before his success, Newhart was drafted into the Army in 1952 during the Korean War and served as a personnel manager until he was discharged in 1954. He then worked as an accountant in Chicago while honing his craft as a comedian at night.
“Mr. Wilkinson — I still remember his name — he said, ‘Jeez, these are not sound accounting principles,'” Newhart told “Sunday Morning” about his first profession. “I said, ‘I don’t think I’m cut out for accounting.’ And that’s when I decided, OK, let’s find out if I’m any good [at comedy].”
Bob Newhart is survived by his children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy and Robert. His wife, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, died in 2023. They had been married for 60 years.
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Source: cbsnews.com