American stand-up legend Bob Newhart, whose deadpan performance style won him numerous awards, has died aged 94.
Newhart, star of the TV series “The Bob Newhart Show,” died at home after a series of brief illnesses, his publicist said in a statement provided to the BBC on Thursday.
Newhart began his career as an accountant in Chicago before becoming a stand-up comedian. He went on to guest host The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson 87 times.
Most recently, he starred in the classic Christmas movies “Elf” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
The son of a plumber in suburban Chicago, Newhart graduated from Loyola University in 1952 with a business degree.
He served in the Army for two years during the Korean War, then attended graduate school at law school before dropping out.
Soon after, he and a friend began recording improv comedy shows. In 1959, he was discovered by a local DJ who recommended him to the newly formed Warner Bros. Records.
His “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” recorded live at a Houston comedy club, became the first comedy album to top the charts.
Seven more albums have since been released, selling millions of copies.
Newhart’s longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, wrote in a statement announcing his death that Newhart began his career “working as an accountant in Chicago by day and working as a comedian and writer by night.”
Newhart is considered a pioneer of stand-up comedy that involves long stories, a series of funny statements throughout, rather than a one-joke punchline at the end.
According to his publicist, “a (comedy) sea change is taking place.”
Newhart distinguished himself from other comedians of his generation with his modern point of view and observational delivery, never raising his voice and sometimes almost stuttering.
When he takes the stage to perform stand-up comedy, his only prop is a phone, which he uses to pretend to have a conversation with the person on the other end of the line.
The audience-loving Newhart never really retired and remained a fixture on Hollywood sets and stages well into his 80s.
Comedy film director Judd Apatow was among those who paid their respects on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Bob Newhart was the kindest, funniest man,” he wrote, adding: “His wonderful comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he met such a joy.”
Newhart is survived by four children and numerous grandchildren.
His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, died in 2023.
