The world of comedy mourns the loss of a true legend as Bob Newhart, the iconic comedian whose television series \u201cThe Bob Newhart Show\u201d and \u201cNewhart\u201d dominated the airwaves in the 1970s and \u201980s, passed away on Thursday at the age of 94. Newhart\u2019s longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, announced that he died from \u201ca series of short illnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Newhart\u2019s journey to stardom began in the 1950s, following a stint in the army during the Korean War. Known as \u201cthe funny guy in the barracks,\u201d he entertained his fellow soldiers before launching a professional comedy career.<\/p>\n
After his military service, Newhart worked as an accountant in Chicago, where he began making humorous phone calls to a friend. These recordings, sent to radio stations, caught the attention of James Conkling, then-president of Warner Bros. Records. Conkling booked Newhart at the Tidelands nightclub in Houston and recorded his performances, leading to the creation of his groundbreaking comedy album.<\/p>\n
Newhart\u2019s career skyrocketed with his debut album, \u201cThe Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,\u201d which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1961. This marked the first time a comedy album had ever received such an honor. Reflecting on the achievement, Newhart told The Post in 2020, \u201cIt beat out [Harry] Belafonte, Sinatra and an Elvis album [\u2018Are You Lonesome Tonight?\u2019]. They kept calling my name and I kept walking up there and thanking them for the awards.\u201d<\/p>\n
The album sold 750,000 copies and was later added to the Library of Congress for its historical significance. \u201cI thought [\u2018The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart\u2019] might sell maybe 5,000 albums. I would\u2019ve been happy with that,\u201d Newhart said modestly. \u201cAnd then it exploded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newhart\u2019s unique brand of humor, often finding comedy in the macabre and absurd, set him apart from his contemporaries. His joke about advising Abraham Lincoln on the Gettysburg Address\u2014\u201cSay 87 years ago instead of fourscore and seven\u201d\u2014is a testament to his distinctive style.<\/p>\n
His rise in the comedy world coincided with a significant shift in the genre. \u201cThere was a big sea change in comedy,\u201d Newhart recalled. \u201cThere was Mike [Nichols] and Elaine [May], Shelley Berman, myself, Jonathan Winters and Lenny Bruce. We all kind of happened at the same time and the humor was different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newhart credited his popularity to college students, who would gather in dorm rooms, play his records, and enjoy beer and pizza. \u201cI think they really created that demand,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
His television career began with \u201cThe Bob Newhart Show\u201d in 1961, which, despite its critical acclaim, was canceled after one season. However, his subsequent series, \u201cThe Bob Newhart Show,\u201d ran successfully from 1972 to 1978. This sitcom, featuring Newhart as a Chicago psychologist, became a cultural touchstone.<\/p>\n
Newhart struck gold again with \u201cNewhart,\u201d which aired for eight seasons on CBS. Playing a New York writer who opens a Vermont inn, he captivated audiences with his dry wit and impeccable timing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"