News Desk

Bob Newhart, the iconic stand-up comedian known for his style of deadpan delivery, has passed away at 94. The star of The Bob Newhart Show, he died at home after a series of short illnesses, his publicist confirmed on Thursday.

Newhart transitioned from an accountant in Chicago to a celebrated stand-up comic, eventually guest-hosting The Tonight Show 87 times. He also appeared in the film Elf and the TV show The Big Bang Theory. Born to a plumber in a Chicago suburb, Newhart graduated from Loyola University in 1952 with a degree in business. After serving two years in the Army during the Korean War, he briefly attended law school before dropping out to pursue comedy.

In 1959, a local DJ discovered Newhart and recommended him to Warner Bros Records, leading to the release of The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, the first comedy album to top the charts. He released seven more albums, selling millions of copies. His publicist, Jerry Digney, noted that Newhart balanced accounting by day with comedy by night early in his career. Newhart’s pioneering stand-up style featured long, humorous narratives rather than a single punchline.