Bob Newhart Tributes: Judd Apatow Recalls “His Brilliant Comedy And Gentle Spirit”, Al Franken Remembers Stellar ‘SNL’ Appearance, Joe Biden Mourns “Comedy Legend”

Greg Evans
·6 min read
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Bob Newhart Tributes: Judd Apatow Recalls “His Brilliant Comedy And Gentle Spirit”, Al Franken Remembers Stellar ‘SNL’ Appearance, Joe Biden Mourns “Comedy Legend”

Refresh for updates: Comedy icon Bob Newhart, who died today at the age of 94, is being remembered by coworkers, peers and fans as one of television’s all-time greats, a genius of understatement with an unfailing warm-hearted spirit.

“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,” recalls writer and director Paul Feig. “A brilliant standup & comedic actor, he was truly one of a kind. His legacy will live on.”

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President Joe Biden: “Today, 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.”

RELATED: Chuck Lorre Remembers Bob Newhart: “I Even Got To Call Him A Friend. How Lucky Am I?”

Wil Wheaton, who worked with Newhart on The Big Bang Theory, said on Facebook, “When I had the extraordinary privilege of working in the same episodes as Bob Newhart, I stayed on the stage the whole time, just to watch him work. I mean, how could I not? He made it all look so easy, and holy shit he was so funny, even more than you think. One day, he and I ended up sitting next to each other during a break in production. In the industry, we call it ‘taking a five’ or ‘a quick ten’ or something like that. Just a little break for everyone to catch their breaths. A couple of the writers were there, I think, and maybe one or two other actors. And we all sat there, while Bob Newhart told stories about his life and career. It was amazing. This legend, just talking to us like it was no big deal, sharing these incredible experiences with us. I knew then that I would never forget it, that I would cherish that experience for the rest of my life.

I just read the news that Bob Newhart passed away at 94, and this memory has come back to me, like it was yesterday. He didn’t need to be kind. He didn’t need to tell us these stories. He didn’t owe us any of his time. And yet he did, and he loved it. Because he chose to do all those things, I have a gift that Bob Newhart gave me. I haven’t opened it in a while, but I took it out today, and I was grateful. Rest well, Bob.”

Jimmie Walker: “His comedy albums were great – His TV show NEWHART was cerebral genius. I remember seeing him in 2019 at the Paley Honors: A Special Tribute To Televion’s Comedy Legends where Bob was supposed to get up and say a few words; he did like a half-hour and KILLED at age 89! I was lucky to spend some time with him at various TV related functions and he was always a Class Act!”

Noah Wyle: “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.”

George Schlatter, producer: “Bob Newhart was a good friend and he was an original. I did one of his first guest shots before anyone had figured out that he was also an intellectual. His overview on society and politics was fresh and perceptive and almost every sentence was quotable. We never had anybody like Bob Newhart before or since.”

RELATED: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Remembers Bob Newhart With Video Tributes

Alan Zweibel, writer: “I started off as your fan, then I became your writer, then I became your friend. But all the time I remained your fan. R.I.P. “

Al Franken: “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.”

Denise Petski, Lynette Rice and Bruce Haring contributed to this report.

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