Jamie Lee Curtis, Judd Apatow, and More Remember Bob Newhart’s ‘Brilliant Comedy’

Hollywood is paying homage to legendary comedian and actor Bob Newhart, who died on Thursday at age 94 after battling “a series of short illnesses.”

Stars including Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Hamill, Judd Apatow, Kaley Cuoco, and more took to social media to celebrate his life. Apatow, who directed a documentary about Newhart and Don Rickles’ friendship, shared a post on Instagram, calling Newhart “as funny as they come.”

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“The best stand up, the best situation comedy star, the kindest soul,” Apatow wrote. “It was the thrill of a lifetime to spend some time with him when we made Bob and Don – A Love Story. I watched thousands of hours of his work growing up and he made my life much happier and did the same for the world.”

Apatow also took to X to share another post, recalling the icon’s “brilliant comedy and gentle spirit” and shared a YouTube link to the documentary as well.

Newhart was beloved for his deadpan delivery as a standup comic and actor. He starred in The Bob Newhart Show in the Seventies and Newhart in the Eighties. He drew a younger fanbase for his role as Papa Elf in Elf and as Professor Proton in The Big Bang Theory.

Reese Witherspoon, who appeared alongside Newhart in Legally Blonde 2, wrote on social media, “I watched the Newhart show every week and laughed so hard every time Bob gave his signature slow deadpan delivery of his lines. Even his silence was funny. His reaction said everything the audience was thinking. I will miss his kindness and his humor… and his love for a great comedy bit. I feel so lucky that I got to share the screen with such a legend.”

Kaley Cuoco, who worked with Newhart on The Big Bang Theory, shared several photos of Newhart and the show’s cast on her Instagram stories on Thursday. “What a dream it was to witness the genius that was Bob Newhart. He was classy, kind, generous, and absolutely hilarious,” Cuoco remembered. “Every take — every time. Icon forever. I will never forget you Bob! Thank you for making our dreams come true!”

Curtis posted a photo of Newhart on her Instagram page, writing that “they will be laughing wherever people go when they leave us.”

“God was he funny! Bob Newhart. You will be missed,” Curtis captioned.

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

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