Who did Bob Newhart play in Big Bang Theory? Veteran sitcom actor dies at 94

Bob Newhart, who is best remembered for his comedic humor on television and films, dies at age 94 after succumbing to a series of short illnesses. Jerry Digney, the late actor's publicist, confirmed the news of his passing on Thursday, July 18, via Variety.

He has been in show business since the 1960s, a famous face in both TV and films. But with his comedic talent, Newhart stood out in sitcom television shows, and he famously played the character of Doctor Arthur Jeffries in the hit comedy series The Big Bang Theory, which aired from 2007 to 2019 and won ten Primetime Emmys.

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Exploring Bob Newhart's most iconic roles on TV and films

Bob Newhart launched his career as a standup comic in the 1950s, but it was on television, specifically on sitcoms, where he would see his acting career flourish.

The Big Bang Theory fans will know him as the character who played Sheldon's hero, Dr. Arthur Jeffries, aka Professor Proton, who formerly hottest a children's science show. In his profession, he's known as the guy who demonstrates scientific principles in layman's terms using everyday objects. His Professor Proton theme song lyrics in the TV show reads:

"Grab your goggles, put your lab coat on. Here he comes, Professor Proton."

Sheldon and Leonard grew up watching Bob Newhart's character, Professor Proton, which inspired them to become scientists. When they discovered he was doing private science shows, they seized the chance to meet him and do experiments together.

The professor was shocked, expecting kids instead of respected scientists. During their chat, Dr. Jeffries revealed he has a real PhD from Cornell University but struggled to find work after the Professor Proton show ended and was mocked by other scientists.

While he wasn't part of the OG cast and only appeared in six episodes of the sitcom, his recurring guest-star role earned him the first-ever Emmy Award after numerous nominations from his other shows. He also has one episode dedicated to him, The Big Bang Theory Season 7 Episode 22, titled "The Proton Transmogrification," where he died and appeared as Sheldon's Obi-Wan. His usual business suit transformed into a Jedi robe, and he now has a lightsaber.

Newhart's Professor Proton, with his Jedi getup, returned to reprise his role in The Big Bang Theory spin-ogg prequel Young Sheldon.

Besides The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, Bob Newhart also had his own programs on TV. In fact, he had three—a new one every decade and in between acting in movies, starting from The Bob Newhart Show in 1972, Newhart in 1982, and Bob in 1992.

He was Dr. Robert "Bob" Hartley, a psychologist whose personal and professional misadventures made audiences laugh for all six seasons of. The Bob Newhart Show. His character in Newhart followed, and this time he's an author who became an in-keeper in rural Vermont named Dick Loudon. The comedy show lasted for eight seasons and collected 25 Primetime Emmy nominations.

Newhart's deadpan comedy and misadventures on television continued in his character as the cartoonist Bob McKay in Bob, where he deals with corporate drama after his famous superhero creation gets a revival.

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Bob Newhart's filmography includes First Family, Legally Blonde 2, Horrible Bosses, The Librarians movies and TV show, and Elf.