George Robert Newhart is a celebrated American comedian and actor recognized for his distinctive deadpan and stammering delivery. Starting his career in stand-up comedy, he successfully transitioned to television acting. His talent has earned him numerous awards, including three Grammys, an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002.
1913: Cohen on the Telephone
In 1913, "Cohen on the Telephone," a comedy sketch record, popularized the one-sided telephone conversation as a comedic device. This form of humor later became associated with comedians like Shelley Berman and Bob Newhart, although its origins predate their careers.
September 5, 1929: Bob Newhart is Born
On September 5, 1929, George Robert Newhart, better known as Bob Newhart, was born in Oak Park, Illinois.
December 9, 1940: Birth of Virginia Lillian "Ginnie" Quinn
Virginia Lillian "Ginnie" Quinn, Bob Newhart's future wife, was born on December 9, 1940. She was the daughter of character actor Bill Quinn and later became an integral part of Newhart's life.
1947: Graduates from St. Ignatius College Prep
Bob Newhart graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep in 1947.
1952: Newhart Earns a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management
In 1952, Bob Newhart graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor's degree in business management.
1954: Newhart is Discharged from the Army
After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, Bob Newhart was discharged in 1954.
1958: Becomes an Advertising Copywriter
In 1958, Bob Newhart transitioned into the world of advertising, becoming a copywriter for Fred A. Niles, a prominent independent film and television producer in Chicago.
1959: Signs with Warner Bros. Records
Bob Newhart's comedic talent caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records, and he was signed to the label in 1959.
1959: Film Debut in "Hell Is for Heroes"
Newhart's first film appearance was in the 1959 war film "Hell Is for Heroes".
1960: "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart" Released
Bob Newhart's debut comedy album, "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart," was released in 1960, quickly becoming a bestseller and reaching number one on the Billboard pop album chart.
1960: "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart" Tops the Charts
Bob Newhart's debut comedy album, "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart," achieved groundbreaking success in 1960, becoming the first comedy album to reach number one on the Billboard charts.
1961: "Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart" is Released
Bob Newhart released his third comedy album, "Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart," in 1961.
1961: "The Bob Newhart Show" Premieres
Bob Newhart's first foray into television was in 1961 with his short-lived variety show, "The Bob Newhart Show," on NBC.
1961: Newhart Earns Emmy Nomination and Peabody Award
Bob Newhart's short-lived variety show, "The Bob Newhart Show," earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination and a Peabody Award in 1961.
1962: "The Button-Down Mind on TV" is Released
Bob Newhart's fourth comedy album, "The Button-Down Mind on TV," was released in 1962.
January 12, 1963: Marriage to Virginia Lillian "Ginnie" Quinn
Bob Newhart married Virginia Lillian "Ginnie" Quinn on January 12, 1963. Introduced by comedian Buddy Hackett, their enduring relationship became a cornerstone of Newhart's life.
1963: Guest Stars on "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour"
Bob Newhart showcased his acting versatility in 1963 by guest-starring in an episode of the suspense anthology series "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" titled "How to Get Rid of Your Wife."
1964: Co-hosts "The Entertainers" and Performs for Queen Elizabeth II
Bob Newhart became one of the initial three co-hosts of the variety show "The Entertainers" alongside Carol Burnett and Caterina Valente in 1964. In the same year, he performed at the Royal Variety Performance in London for Queen Elizabeth II.
1964: "Bob Newhart Faces Bob Newhart" is Released
In 1964, Bob Newhart released the comedy album "Bob Newhart Faces Bob Newhart."
1965: Birth of Son, Robert
Bob Newhart and his wife, Ginnie, welcomed their first child, a son named Robert, in 1965.
1965: "The Windmills Are Weakening" is Released
Bob Newhart released his sixth comedy album, "The Windmills Are Weakening," in 1965.
1967: "This Is It" is Released
Bob Newhart released his seventh comedy album, "This Is It," in 1967.
1967: Birth of Son, Timothy
Bob Newhart and Ginnie's family grew further in 1967 with the birth of their second child, a son named Timothy.
1968: Role in "Hot Millions"
Newhart played a software specialist in the 1968 film "Hot Millions".
1970: Newhart Appears in "Catch-22"
Bob Newhart showcased his acting range in the 1970 film adaptation of Joseph Heller's satirical war novel, "Catch-22."
1970: Appearance in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever"
Newhart appeared in the Alan Jay Lerner musical "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" in 1970.
1971: "Best of Bob Newhart" is Released
A compilation album titled "Best of Bob Newhart" was released in 1971, featuring some of his most popular comedic works.
1971: Newhart Stars in "Cold Turkey"
Bob Newhart took on a leading role in the 1971 satirical comedy film "Cold Turkey."
1971: Role in "Cold Turkey"
Newhart had a role in the Norman Lear comedy "Cold Turkey" in 1971.
1972: The Bob Newhart Show Begins
In 1972, Bob Newhart was offered a starring role in a new sitcom called "The Bob Newhart Show", playing psychologist Bob Hartley.
1972: "The Bob Newhart Show" Begins Its Run
In 1972, Bob Newhart's iconic sitcom, "The Bob Newhart Show," premiered, starring Newhart as Chicago psychologist Robert Hartley.
1973: Birth of Daughter, Jennifer
Bob Newhart and Ginnie welcomed their third child, a daughter named Jennifer, in 1973.
1973: "Very Funny Bob Newhart" is Released
Bob Newhart's tenth comedy album, "Very Funny Bob Newhart," was released in 1973.
1977: Voice Acting in "The Rescuers"
Newhart voiced the character of Bernard in the 1977 Disney animated film "The Rescuers".
1977: Newhart Voices Bernard in "The Rescuers"
Bob Newhart provided the voice for the character of Bernard in the 1977 Disney animated film "The Rescuers."
1977: Declining Ratings and Newhart's Objection
By 1977, "The Bob Newhart Show" experienced declining ratings. Although Newhart wanted to end the show, he was contractually obligated for another season. He opposed the writer's suggestion to add a pregnancy storyline.
1977: Purchase of Commodore PET Computer
Bob Newhart, an early adopter of home computer technology, purchased the Commodore PET after its introduction in 1977. His interest in technology highlighted his curiosity and willingness to embrace new advancements.
1978: "The Bob Newhart Show" Concludes
After a successful six-season run, "The Bob Newhart Show" concluded in 1978.
1978: "The Bob Newhart Show" Ends
After six seasons, "The Bob Newhart Show" ended in 1978. Despite the show's popularity, it never won an Emmy award.
1979: Birth of Daughter, Courtney
Bob Newhart and Ginnie's youngest child, a daughter named Courtney, was born in 1979, completing their family of six.
1980: Hosts "Saturday Night Live"
Bob Newhart took on the role of host for the first time on "Saturday Night Live" in 1980.
1980: Presidential Role in "First Family"
Newhart played the President of the United States in the 1980 comedy film "First Family".
1982: "Newhart" Premieres
Bob Newhart returned to television in 1982 with the premiere of "Newhart," a sitcom where he played Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon.
1982: "Newhart" Premieres
Newhart's new sitcom, "Newhart," premiered in 1982, featuring him as Vermont innkeeper and talk show host Dick Loudon.
1984: First Emmy Nomination for Tom Poston
Tom Poston, who played George Utley on "Newhart," received the first of his three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1984.
1985: Hospitalization for Secondary Polycythemia
Bob Newhart faced a health challenge in 1985 when he was hospitalized due to secondary polycythemia, a condition attributed to his history of smoking. He recovered successfully after several weeks and subsequently made the decision to quit smoking.
1985: Health Scare and Quitting Smoking
In 1985, Newhart was hospitalized for secondary polycythemia, a result of his smoking habit. He quit smoking on doctor's orders.
1986: Second Emmy Nomination for Tom Poston
Tom Poston received his second Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on "Newhart" in 1986.
1987: Declining Ratings for "Newhart"
"Newhart" began experiencing a decline in ratings in 1987.
1987: Third Emmy Nomination for Tom Poston and Declining Ratings for "Newhart"
Tom Poston earned his third Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on "Newhart" in 1987. However, the show's ratings began to decline.
1990: "Newhart" Ends and Newhart Stars in Two Short-lived Sitcoms
"Newhart" concluded in 1990. In the same year, Newhart starred in two short-lived sitcoms, "Bob and George" and "Leo."
1990: Return to Voice Acting in "The Rescuers Down Under"
Newhart reprised his voice role as Bernard in the 1990 sequel "The Rescuers Down Under".
1990: "Newhart" Ends with Iconic Dream Sequence
The final episode of "Newhart" aired in 1990, ending with a memorable dream sequence where the entire series was revealed to be a dream of Bob Hartley from "The Bob Newhart Show".
1992: "Bob Newhart Off the Record" is Released
In 1992, Bob Newhart released the comedy album "Bob Newhart Off the Record."
1992: Short-Lived Sitcom "Bob"
Newhart returned to television with the sitcom "Bob" in 1992; however, it was cancelled after two seasons despite positive reviews.
1994: Reunion on "Murphy Brown"
In 1994, Newhart reunited with Marcia Wallace, who played Carol on "The Bob Newhart Show", on an episode of the television show "Murphy Brown".
1995: First Comedy Special "Off the Record"
Newhart filmed his first comedy special, "Off the Record," for Showtime in 1995, marking his 35th year in the entertainment industry.
1995: Investment in Radio Station KKSB
In 1995, Bob Newhart, along with other investors, ventured into the world of radio broadcasting by acquiring KKSB (AM 1290 kHz) in Santa Barbara, California. The station underwent a format change to adult standards and its call sign was changed to KZBN, reflecting Newhart's initials.
1995: Hosts "Saturday Night Live" for the Second Time
Bob Newhart returned to host "Saturday Night Live" for a second time in 1995.
1997: Newhart Appears in "In & Out"
Bob Newhart appeared in the 1997 romantic comedy film "In & Out," starring alongside Kevin Kline and Joan Cusack.
1997: "The Button-Down Concert" is Released
Bob Newhart released the live comedy album "The Button-Down Concert" in 1997.
1997: Roles in "In & Out" and "George & Leo"
Newhart appeared in the film "In & Out" and premiered in the sitcom "George & Leo" in 1997.
1997: Newhart Reunites with Marcia Wallace
Newhart reunited with Marcia Wallace, who played Carol on "The Bob Newhart Show," on an episode of his short-lived sitcom "George & Leo" in 1997.
1997: Cancellation of "George & Leo"
The sitcom "George & Leo," starring Newhart and Judd Hirsch, was cancelled during its first season in 1997.
2001: "Something Like This" is Released
Bob Newhart released the anthology album "Something Like This" in 2001, featuring a collection of his earlier works from the 1960s.
2001: Reflection on Early Computer Use
In 2001, reflecting on his early experiences with computers, Bob Newhart humorously remarked on the significant increase in computer memory capacity since his initial foray into home computing. His observation, "Later, I moved up to the 64 KB model and thought that was silly because it was more memory than I would ever possibly need," underscored the rapid pace of technological change.
2002: Receives Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
In 2002, Bob Newhart was honored with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, recognizing his significant contributions to the world of comedy.
2003: Appearance in "Elf"
Newhart had a role in the Will Ferrell Christmas comedy "Elf" in 2003.
2003: Guest Appearance on ER and Emmy Nomination
In 2003, Bob Newhart took on a dramatic guest role in the TV series "ER." This marked a departure from his usual comedic roles and garnered him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, his first in almost two decades.
2003: Newhart Voices Papa Elf in "Elf"
Bob Newhart lent his voice to the character of Papa Elf in the 2003 Christmas comedy film "Elf," starring Will Ferrell.
January 24, 2005: Appearance with Don Rickles on The Tonight Show
Following Johnny Carson's death, Bob Newhart and his close friend, comedian Don Rickles, appeared together on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on January 24, 2005. They shared memories of their experiences on Carson's show, highlighting a long-standing friendship rooted in comedy and mutual respect.
2005: Newhart Discusses His Favorite Stand-up Routine
In a 2005 interview with PBS's American Masters, Bob Newhart shared that his favorite stand-up routine is "Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue."
2005: Sale of Radio Station KZBN
Rotijefco, Bob Newhart's investment group, sold radio station KZBN in 2005 to Santa Barbara Broadcasting. The new owners implemented further changes, including switching the call sign back to KZSB and adopting a news and talk radio format.
2005: Recurring Role in Desperate Housewives
Bob Newhart landed a recurring role as Morty in the popular television series "Desperate Housewives" in 2005. His character was involved in a romantic relationship with Sophie, the mother of Susan Mayer, a main character on the show.
August 27, 2006: Newhart's Emmy Awards Appearance
At the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards on August 27, 2006, Bob Newhart participated in a comedic bit orchestrated by host Conan O'Brien. He was placed in a mock "airtight" glass prison with a limited air supply, playfully highlighting the tendency of award shows to exceed their allotted time.
September 20, 2006: Release of I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This
On September 20, 2006, Bob Newhart, known for his comedic timing and storytelling, released his first book, "I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This," published by Hyperion Books. The book provided readers with a glimpse into Newhart's life and career, combining elements of a memoir with humorous anecdotes and transcripts of some of his classic comedy routines.
2009: Emmy Nomination for The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice
Bob Newhart was nominated for another Primetime Emmy Award in 2009 for his reprisal of the character Judson in "The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice." This nomination further solidified his presence in the industry and his talent for bringing characters to life.
2011: Role in Lifetime's Five
In 2011, Bob Newhart appeared in a small but significant role as a doctor in "Five," a Lifetime anthology film that centered around the impactful topic of breast cancer.
2011: Cameo Appearance in "Horrible Bosses"
Newhart made a cameo appearance in the comedy film "Horrible Bosses" in 2011.
2012: Accusation of Plagiarism
In 2012, comedian Shelley Berman accused Bob Newhart of plagiarizing his improvisational telephone routine style during a podcast interview with Marc Maron. Newhart has consistently refuted these claims, stating that he never claimed to originate the telephone concept and acknowledging its use by Berman, Nichols and May, George Jessel, and others predating Berman.
2013: Guest Appearances and Emmy Award
Newhart made guest appearances on various television shows, including a notable role on "The Big Bang Theory" in 2013, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award.
2013: Newhart Joins the Cast of "The Big Bang Theory"
Bob Newhart joined the cast of the popular CBS sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" in 2013, playing the recurring role of Professor Proton.
2013: First Emmy Win for The Big Bang Theory
In 2013, Bob Newhart achieved a significant career milestone by winning his first Primetime Emmy Award. He received the award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Professor Proton, a former science TV show host, in the popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory."
December 19, 2014: Surprise Appearance on The Late Late Show
Bob Newhart made a surprise appearance on December 19, 2014, during the final episode of "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." In a humorous reveal, he was revealed to be the person inside Secretariat, the show's pantomime horse, adding a memorable and comical element to the show's finale.
June 2015: Guest Appearance and Reunion on Hot in Cleveland
In June 2015, Bob Newhart made a guest appearance in the series finale of "Hot in Cleveland." Playing the father-in-law of Jane Leeves's character, the episode was particularly special as it marked a reunion between Newhart and Betty White, who had been a cast member on his sitcom "Bob." Their characters' marriage at the end of the episode added a heartwarming touch to the finale.
December 10, 2015: "Lost" Newhart Track from 1965 Discovered
On December 10, 2015, a "lost" Bob Newhart track from 1965, titled "Paul Revere," was discovered on a rare acetate.
May 2016: Sale of Bel Air Mansion
After residing in their Bel Air mansion for over 25 years, Bob Newhart and his family made the decision to sell their home in May 2016. The property, a French Country-style estate designed by Wallace Neff, was sold to developers for $14.5 million.
2017: Demolition and Sale of Bel Air Property
The new owners of Bob Newhart's former Bel Air property chose to demolish the existing mansion and subsequently sold the vacant 1.37-acre lot for $17.65 million in 2017.
2018: Newhart's Final Appearance on "The Big Bang Theory"
Bob Newhart made his final appearance as Professor Proton on "The Big Bang Theory" in 2018, marking the end of his run on the show.
April 23, 2023: Death of Virginia Lillian "Ginnie" Quinn
Virginia Lillian "Ginnie" Quinn, Bob Newhart's wife of many years, passed away on April 23, 2023, at the age of 82.
2023: Bob & Don: A Love Story
A testament to the enduring friendship between Bob Newhart and Don Rickles, a short documentary film titled "Bob & Don: A Love Story" was released in 2023. Directed by Judd Apatow, the film offers an intimate look at their bond through interviews and personal home movies, providing a heartwarming tribute to their shared history.