Kaley Cuoco, Judd Apatow and More Celebrities React to Bob Newhart’s Death
Hollywood has come together to mourn the death of the legendary Bob Newhart.
Newhart died on Thursday, July 18, after suffering from a series of short illnesses according to his publicist, Jerry Digney.
The actor was best known for his iconic deadpan delivery and his eponymous series The Bob Newhart Show in the ‘70s. He also played Papa Elf in 2003’s Elf opposite Will Ferrell and Professor Proton on The Big Bang Theory.
Newhart received several accolades throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Keep scrolling to see which stars have paid tribute to Newhart:
Judd Apatow
“Bob Newhart was the kindest most hilarious man,” the filmmaker shared via X on Thursday. “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.”
Mark Hamill
“From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter,” the Star Wars icon wrote via X on Thursday. “Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart!”
Jamie Lee Curtis
“They will be laughing wherever people go when they leave us,” the Oscar winner captioned a throwback photo of Newhart via Instagram on Thursday. “God, he was funny! Bob Newhart. You will be missed!”
Al Franken
“Bob Newhart was a giant, a genius, and a great guy,” the Saturday Night Live alum and former senator wrote via X on Thursday. 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.”
Kaley Cuoco
Cuoco, who got to work with Newhart on The Big Bang Theory, shared a series of throwback pictures from her time on set with the icon.
“What a dream it was to witness the genius that was Bob Newhart. He was classy, kind, generous and absolutely hilarious,” she wrote via her Instagram Story on Thursday. “Every take — every time. Icon forever.”
The actress also shared a shot of Newhart with the entire cast, captioning the throwback pic, “I will never forget you, Bob! Thank you for making our dreams come true!”
Eric Stonestreet
"No one funnier than Bob Newhart. Rest In Peace, sir," the Modern Family alum wrote via X on Thursday.
Paul Feig
“And we lose another comedy legend,” the director penned via X on Thursday. “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.”
Dane Cook
“Mr. Bob Newhart passed away today. His album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart impacted my career intensely,” the comedian reflected via X on Thursday. “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. Legend Bob Newhart you are forever funny.”
Alec Baldwin
"Au revoir to the great Bob Newhart…," Baldwin wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of the comedian.
Carol Burnett
“I had the great pleasure of working with Bob and being his friend. He was as kind and nice as he was funny. He will be missed," Burnett wrote via X of working with Newhart on 1977's The Rescuers.
Mayim Bialik
Bialik, who teamed up with Newhart on The Big Bang Theory, shared a tribute with The Associated Press.
“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," she said in her statement. "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 simply don’t see anymore. How he will be missed!”
Al Roker
“One of the great standup comedians and sitcom stars, Bob Newhart passed today at the age of 94,” the Today personality wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of himself and Newhart smiling from ear to ear after a 2017 interview. “His comedy album, The Button Down Mind of Bob Newhart won a Grammy in 1960. He won 3 Grammys, [an] Emmy and a Golden Globe. What [a] lovely man and a wonderful interview.”
Jane Fonda
Fonda mourned her “neighbor and friend for 8 years” in a heartfelt statement shared via Instagram on July 19.
“His best friend, Don Rickles also lived here,” she captioned her post. “First Rickles went, then his wife, Barbara. Bob’s wife, Ginnie, passed last year. All of us here envision Bob back with his bestie and with Ginnie, his beloved girl. They’re probably doubled over laughing.” Comedian Don Rickles passed away in 2017.
“He was just like on the screen: understated, kind, wry, and very funny,” Fonda wrote of Newhart. “As I’m the oldest one around here these days, Bob liked to have me come over to reminisce with him about the old timers, Red Skelton, Ed Sullivan, my dad. We’d have a beer and I’d leave when one of his children would signal that he was tired.”
Fonda also recalled a Mother’s Day when she “was alone so Bob and Ginnie invited me to join them and their children and grandchildren for dinner.” She said, “They were so welcoming. I will miss our times together. May your beautiful soul rest in peace, dear Bob.”
