Bob Newhart Praises Peter Scolari As “Essential Part” Of ‘Newhart’ Success; Co-Star Julia Duffy Says, “No Better Partner”
TV icon Bob Newhart honored his Newhart co-star Peter Scolari as a 40-year friend, a joy to work with and “an essential part of the success” of the great 1982-90 CBS sitcom.
In a statement to Deadline, later tweeted, Newhart said, “I knew that Peter was sick, but his death still comes as a great shock. We were friends and colleagues for over 40 years. Julia [Duffy] and Peter, as a vacuous couple (Michael and Stephanie), were an essential part of the success of Newhart. In life, he was a fantastic person, and it was a joy to work together. He will be sorely missed and his passing at 66 is much too early.”
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Earlier today, Duffy tweeted, “No better partner,” and accompanied the simple and poignant message with a photo of the two doing the tango in an episode of the sitcom.
William Sanderson, who played Larry on the show, shared a cast photo with the words, “Condolences to the Scolari family on the passing of Peter today.”
Scolari died this morning at age 66 following a two-year battle with cancer.
I knew that Peter was sick, but his death comes as a great shock. We were friends for over 40 years. Julia and Peter were an essential part of the success of "Newhart." He was a fantastic person & a joy to work with. He will be sorely missed, his passing at 66 is way too early. pic.twitter.com/qGu5wMQKfr
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) October 22, 2021
No better partner.?? pic.twitter.com/p5NFP8eLUm
— julia duffy (@mybadauditions) October 22, 2021
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