“I will never forget you, Bob!” — Kaley Cuoco and other celebrities share heartfelt tributes to Bob Newhart on social media

Bob Newhart passed away at age 94 on July 18, 2024, and the world of film and television has been shaken by the news. Many celebrities have taken to social media platforms to share tributes to the actor and comedian. His Big Bang Theory co-star Kaley Cuoco has shared images of the two on set via her Instagram stories.

Cuoco described Newhart as a genius actor and a kind and generous person. Sharing the pictures of The Big Bang Theory cast with Newhart, she wrote,

“What a dream it was to witness the genius that was Bob Newhart. He was classy, kind, generous, and absolutely hilarious. Every take — every time. Icon forever. I will never forget you Bob! Thank you for making our dreams come true!”

Newhart appeared in Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady's The Big Bang Theory as Arthur Jeffries, a.k.a. Professor Proton. He became a mentor for Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) throughout the show. Professor Proton was also shown cultivating a bond with other characters like Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco).

In a statement to the press, Newhart's publicist, Jerry Digney, announced that the actor had passed away after a series of illnesses. He called the comedian’s passing an “end of an era in comedy.”

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Stars and celebrities remember Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart poses for a portrait at the Broadcast Television Journalists Association's Third Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards (Image via Getty)

Bob Newhart has had a diverse career in standup comedy and even films and television, leaving a mark on many audiences and industry members. According to Variety, Lorre paid tribute to Newhart in a statement. It was a remembrance of working with him.

“For years I begged Bob to appear on one of my shows. He always said no. But then he fell in love with ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and said yes – with two provisions. One: his character had to have an arc that spanned several episodes. And two: he wanted to win an Emmy. We delivered on both. I got to work with a comedy legend. A master of the craft, and a kind and gentle man. I even got to call him a friend. How lucky am I?”

Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis also shared a tribute on Instagram, with a black-and-white picture of the comedian:

"They will be laughing wherever people go when they leave us. God, he was funny! Bob Newhart. You will be missed!"

Director Judd Apatow also took to X to share his memories of Newman:

Lesley Ann Warren, Newman's co-star and onscreen wife in Desperate Housewives, also gave a statement to Fox News after the actor's passing, saying that he was a comedy legend and would be missed dearly.

Many other celebrity figures, like Mayim Bialik, Mark Hamill, Zooey Deschanel, Alec Baldwin, and Dane Cook, paid tribute to the late actor on social media.

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The genius of Bob Newhart: Career trajectory explored

Bob Newhart in a still from The Big Bang Theory (via Netflix)

Newhart's career started when a local DJ, Dan Sorkin, introduced him to the head of talent at Warner Bros. Records, and they signed him on. Newhart started his career as a standup comedian. He also released a comedy album in 1960, named The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. Newhart's classic hesitant stammer of disbelief became a trademark of his comedy.

Newhart's comedy success led to his own show called The Bob Newhart Show on NBC, for which he got a Primetime Emmy Award. In 1982, he became part of a new sitcom called Newhart, which ended after eight seasons.

By 1991, Newhart started venturing into mainstream television and films, apart from just stand-up comedy. He became a voice actor for films like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998).

However, he did not give up on his television stints either. Newhart also played the role of Morty Flickman in Desperate Housewives and was featured in an episode of The Simpsons as himself.

Newhart was featured in films like Elf and Horrible Bosses, making his mark in comic roles in films too. His television career peaked when he played Professor Proton's role on The Big Bang Theory and made cameos in its sequel, Young Sheldon.

The actor's most recent project was a film called Once Upon a Studio. He lent his voice to the short archival film that was released in 2023.

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Bob Newhart is survived by four children: sons Robert and Timothy, daughters Jennifer and Courtney, and grandchildren. His wife, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, passed away last year after 60 years of marriage.