Legendary comedian Bob Newhart dies at the age of 94

The legendary comedian Bob Newhart has died at the age of 94. Tim Allman looks back at his life and career.

Transcript

00:00These are two guys who walk into a topless club, only they don't know that it's a topless club.

00:05Has there ever been a more unlikely, more low-key comedy genius as Bob Newhart?

00:12Deadpan, completely unassuming, yet as funny and incisive as any comedian of the last 50 years.

00:19He was one of the ultimate exponents of that great comedic truth.

00:23It's all about reacting.

00:26Oh, hi miss.

00:31Tributes poured in on social media.

00:33Talk show host and friend of Bob Newhart, Conan O'Brien, said

00:37he taught countless generations of comedians that you could be funny

00:41and still win on your own terms.

00:43This is an immeasurable loss.

00:48Writer and director Judd Apatow called him the kindest, most hilarious man.

00:53His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy.

00:58And even the President of the United States paid tribute.

01:01Joe Biden described him as a comedy legend and beloved performer

01:05who kept Americans laughing for decades.

01:09Bob Newhart was born in the state of Illinois in 1929.

01:13After serving in the Korean War, he worked first as an accountant and then in advertising.

01:18But almost as a hobby, he had recorded a series of absurdist monologues.

01:24These were picked up by local radio stations

01:26before being released as an album that catapulted him to stardom.

01:33Hello.

01:35Oh, hi, man.

01:36He went on to appear in two legendary sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show and then Newhart.

01:43You know my work.

01:44This was a man who never saw any reason to call it a day.

01:48I kind of had a chance to retire this year and it drove me nuts.

01:55It just drove me nuts.

01:56So I said, get me some dates because I got to...

02:02How can you be tired of making people laugh?

02:04Mr. Jeffers, I am so sorry.

02:06We should have told you about the broken elevator.

02:09I agree.

02:12Well into his 80s, he won an Emmy for his role in The Big Bang Theory.

02:16Bob Newhart was respected, admired and loved.

02:20Not just for his comedy, but his kindness.

02:23As one of those paying tribute put it,

02:25Bob Newhart made the world a better place for a really long time.