One critic at the time described him as a 20th-century Mark Twain in Brooks Brothers clothes.
In his later years, Newhart became known to younger generations for his roles inElfandThe Big Bang Theory.
Rehearsals were wild, as every idea, every joke, had to be tried.
Bob NewhartPaul W. Bailey/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
The joke was king; thats what I learned from Bob above all.
He teased me constantly, which I loved, while supporting me absolutely.
We all knew how lucky we were.
He lived and breathed comedy and his search for perfection never ceased.
Around 3:30, 4 oclock, I would become … depressed, Newhart said in 2012.
I called him one time, and I said, Mr. Smithers?
Yeah, this is Bob at the yeast factory, and we have a fire here, sir.
(Whats the problem?
Lincolns publicist is overheard saying to him before the Gettysburg Address.
…Youre thinking of shaving it off?…
Um, Abe, dont you see thats part of the image?)
Something very sick makes me laugh, he said in 2019.
I said to her, Thats our little secret.
I never expected that the album would be as well received as it was.
It was New Years every night.
Moving into television, Newhart hit a speed bump.
I love kids, he said at the time.
I said that wasnt the kind of show I wanted to do.
And that was one of the more unusual things about the show.
Although it was directed and written by Buck Henry, it fizzled.
That should have been good, Newhart said later, but somehow wasnt.
In 1982, Newhart was persuaded to return to sitcoms withNewhart.
The show continued until 1990.
Some people felt cheated, Newhart said later.
They devoted eight years of their life, and it turns out none of them existed.
Both were canceled soon into their runs, but Newhart kept working.
He appeared on episodes ofERand spoke at Krusty the Klowns funeral onThe Simpsons.
Characters onThe Bob Newhart Showsaid Hi, Bob!
so often that it became a drinking game.
I just hope they play the game in the frat house and dont drive, he said in 2003.
I dont want to be responsible.
Newhart said in 2019.
And I say, I was a stand-up comedian.
And he says, Get in that real short line over there.
God has an incredible sense of humor, an unimaginable sense of humor.
