Jamie Lee Curtis, Judd Apatow, Paul Feig and The Big Bang Theory cast and crew members, including Kaley Cuoco, Mayim Bialik and Bill Prady, are among those across Hollywood paying tribute to Bob Newhart, who died Thursday morning at age 94.
Newhart, a beloved stand-up performer known for his iconic deadpan humor highlights on two CBS sitcoms, died after a series of short illnesses, his longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
Apatow, who co-directed Bob and Don: A Love Story about the life-long friendship of Newhart and Don Rickles, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Bob Newhart was the kindest most hilarious man. He asked me to make a documentary about his friendship with Don Rickles.I was so lucky to get to spend that time with my hero. His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy.”
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Prady, co-creator of The Big Bang Theory, where Newhart guest starred as Arthur Jeffries, wrote on social media, “Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him. Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life.”
Cuoco, who played Penny on Big Bang, shared on her Instagram Story, “What a dream it was to witness the genius that was Bob Newhart. He was classy, kind, generous and absolutely hilarious. Every take — every time. Icon forever. … I will never forget you, Bob! Thank you for making our dreams come true!”
Bialik, who starred as Amy on the beloved CBS sitcom, wrote in a statement to THR, “As a child, the Bob Newhart Show provided countless hours of enjoyment for me – it constituted some of my earliest training in the art of sitcom. When I got to work with alongside him on TBBT, it was absolutely a dream come true. He was effortlessly professional, poised, hilarious and incredibly approachable. Working with Bob was working in the presence of a true comedy legend – the likes of whom we simple don’t see anymore. How he will be missed!”
Kunal Nayyar, who played Raj on Big Bang, added in a tribute on his Instagram Story, “Professor Proton. Our dearest Bob Newhart. RIP. Miss you forever.”
Iain Armitage, who starred as Sheldon Cooper on Young Sheldon, where Newhart also appeared as Professor Proton, wrote on his Instagram Story, “Thanks for being such an inspiring Professor Proton and such an incredible human being. Thinking of you and all who loved you today.”
Noah Wyle, who starred in The Librarian film series with Newhart, shared in a tribute, “Heroes frequently disappoint when you meet them. Bob didn’t. I will be forever grateful for the time I got to spend with him – laughing, globetrotting, telling stories and trying to save the world. I join the multitudes in mourning his passing. Heaven just got a whole lot funnier.”
Curtis wrote in a tribute on her Instagram, “They will be laughing wherever people go when they leave us. God, he was funny! Bob Newhart. You will be missed!”
Filmmaker Feig remembered Newhart on X, writing, “And we lose another comedy legend. I had the honor of doing a guest role on Newhart & got to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart making us all laugh. A brilliant standup & comedic actor, he was truly one of a kind. His legacy will live on.”
National Comedy Center executive director Journey Gunderson shared in a statement to THR, “Bob Newhart’s groundbreaking work in stand-up and television – and his beloved deadpan delivery – have left an indelible mark on the art form of comedy and will be treasured by comedy fans for generations to come. We are proud to celebrate and preserve his extraordinary work at National Comedy Center.”
Find more notable tributes and reactions below.
Bob Newhart was the kindest most hilarious man. He asked me to make a documentary about his friendship with Don Rickles. I was so lucky to get to spend that time with my hero. His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy. "Bob and Don: A…
— Judd Apatow 🇺🇦 (@JuddApatow) July 18, 2024
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 19, 2024Today, we mourn the loss of Bob Newhart, a comedy legend and beloved performer who kept Americans laughing for decades.
Today, he was reunited with his wife Ginnie. My thoughts are with his children and grandchildren, and all those whose days were brightened by his work.
And we lose another comedy legend. I had the honor of doing a guest role on Newhart & got to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart making us all laugh. A brilliant standup & comedic actor, he was truly one of a kind. His legacy will live on. https://t.co/dxGXnLoPYx
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) July 18, 2024
— Bill Prady ⚛️ (@billprady) July 18, 2024Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him.
Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life pic.twitter.com/RjKIpfhF8T
Mr. Bob Newhart passed away today. His album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart impacted my career intensely. He was and is one of the best comedians to ever deliver and man he delivered. Always funny. Always from the heart. Always a reminder to me of why I started in stand up.…
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart taught countless generations of comedians that you could be funny, smart, uncompromising, and still win on your own terms. This is an immeasurable loss.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) July 19, 2024
From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter. Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart!#RIP pic.twitter.com/NlkJNuOw80
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart's Monologue ❤️ February 11, 1995 pic.twitter.com/CaC1fKUOkq
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) July 18, 2024
As a child, the Bob Newhart Show provided countless hours of enjoyment for me – it constituted some of my earliest training in the art of sitcom. When I got to work with alongside him on TBBT, it was absolutely a dream come true. He was effortlessly professional, poised,… pic.twitter.com/mFTEBtmWdG
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) July 18, 2024
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) July 18, 2024At my country club I sat at a table we mockingly called the Smart Table. Regulars included Jim Garner, Dick Martin, Tom Poston, Carroll Shelby, Dick Crenna, and Bob Newhart. I marveled to be surrounded by such extraordinary men.
Bob, you will be missed. https://t.co/A7pRes685L
— TCM (@tcm) July 18, 2024We say farewell to beloved comedy icon Bob Newhart.
In 2010, he joined us a Guest Programmer where he spoke about some of his favorite films including INHERIT THE WIND ('60), A SHOT IN THE DARK ('64), BLOCK-HEADS ('38), and SUNSET BOULEVARD ('50). pic.twitter.com/xs5E4Gc6KI
Such a loss! One of my first jobs in LA was the old Bob Newhart Show, directed by Dick Martin, of Rowan & Martin. What a joy to work with that group! Bob was so kind & such a doll, and always so gracious whenever I ran into him over these decades. A real One-Of-A-Kind! A loss… https://t.co/FyF8ozv11G
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart has died. Tonight is the perfect night to find, stream and listen to his 1960 comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. A genius is gone.
— Rick Mercer (@rickmercer) July 18, 2024
Farewell, Bob Newhart. The series finale of NEWHART is easily one of the greatest TV moments ever, the kind of hat trick it’d be near impossible to pull off today. pic.twitter.com/h17p2HsL29
— Tyler Ruggeri (@t_ruggeri) July 18, 2024
So sad to learn that Bob Newhart has passed. A comedic giant who had some of the greatest timing in history. pic.twitter.com/lUqG40xjtF
— Matt Friend (@themattfriend) July 18, 2024
What a life. Rest in peace, Bob Newhart… pic.twitter.com/sPJfY81P4W
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart was a giant, a genius, and a great guy. I’ll always remember when he hosted SNL and did a stellar show. He was, as you might expect, a joy to work with. May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/5EUfsdR37g
— Al Franken (@alfranken) July 18, 2024
If you haven’t listened to Bob Newhart’s Button Down Mind albums you should do yourself the favor.
— Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) July 18, 2024
"Bob Newhart’s groundbreaking work in stand-up and television – and his beloved deadpan delivery – have left an indelible mark on the art form of comedy and will be treasured by comedy fans for generations to come. We are proud to celebrate and preserve his extraordinary work at… pic.twitter.com/O2MVJrgQuy
— National Comedy Center (@NtlComedyCenter) July 18, 2024
RIP to the legendary Bob Newhart, one of the naturally funniest people to ever live. I was lucky enough to get to talk to him a few times. And the last "Newhart" is the best series finale in history.
— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) July 18, 2024
RIP Bob Newhart. I loved him. I played weather girl Buffy Denver on his show and he couldn't have been nicer or more supportive. You CAN meet your hero's, because he was everything. https://t.co/1vcWpXbP4p
— Miss Julie Brown (@missjuliebrown) July 18, 2024
There aren’t many comedians that I admired as much,or frankly,stole from as much as Bob Newhart.He made quietly thinking on camera hilarious.The pause was his art. Clearly,in this photo you can see the admiration was mutual.A loving goodbye to one of the greatest comics ever. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nzMe9bu6JQ
— Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) July 18, 2024
I started off as your fan, then I became your writer, then I became your friend. But all the timeI remained your fan. R.I.P. #BobNewhart pic.twitter.com/YKvWLW7XGv
— Alan Zweibel (@AlanZweibel) July 18, 2024
