‘As Kind and Nice as He Was Funny’

Bob Newhart didn’t just fill bellies with laughter. He also touched hearts.

The comedy icon, best known for starring in the sitcoms “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” died Thursday following a series of short illnesses. He was 94 years old.

Actress and fellow comedy legend Carol Burnett paid tribute to Newhart in an emotional post on social media platform X. Newhart had guest-starred on Burnett’s sketch-comedy series “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1971.

“I had the great pleasure of working with Bob and being his friend,” Burnett wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of the pair. “He was as kind and nice as he was funny. He will be missed.”

Several stars have taken to social media to share their appreciation for Newhart and his entertainment legacy.

Jamie Lee Curtis shared a throwback photo of Newhart posing next to an Emmy Award statuette. Newhart won a Primetime Emmy in 2013 for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his performance on “The Big Bang Theory.”

“They will be laughing wherever people go when they leave us. God, he was funny!” Curtis wrote on Instagram. “Bob Newhart. You will be missed!”

“From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter,” Mark Hamill wrote on X. “Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you, Bob Newhart!”

Comedian Dane Cook wrote on X that Newhart is “forever funny.”

“His album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart impacted my career intensely,” Cook shared. “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.”

Ben Stiller also weighed in, writing on X, “Bob Newhart. What a career. An iconic comedic actor. I and so many people grew up watching him. He was so subtle and had a brilliant sense of timing and understatement. And an incredibly kind man. Sending love to his family.”

Judd Apatow expressed that Newhart “made the world a better place for a really long time.”

“Bob Newhart was the kindest, most hilarious man,” Apatow wrote on X. “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 Newhart’s career spanned several decades, influencing countless comedians and touching the lives of many through his unique style of humor. He was celebrated not just for his comedy but for his warm personality and kindness, as evidenced by the outpouring of love and respect from the entertainment community.

His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain future generations. Newhart’s contribution to comedy and television is immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by fans and colleagues alike.

Source: USA TODAY