News | Entertainment
19 Jun 2025 21:00
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Bob Newhart has died aged 94

    The comedy veteran - famed for his deadpan delivery - passed away at his LA home on Thursday (18.07.24) after a string of short illnesses.


    His longtime publicist Jerry Digney broke the news to The Hollywood Reporter - sparking a flood of tributes to the stand-up and actor, probably best known for his roles as Papa Elf in the 2003 Will Ferrell Christmas comedy 'Elf', and for playing Morty Flicker in 'Desperate Housewives'. 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill, 72, was among the celebrities who paid tribute to Bob, with the Luke Skywalker actor saying online: "From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter. Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart!" Bob kicked off his career as a stand-up comic before launching a hugely successful acting career - which saw him pick up three Grammy Awards, an Emmy and Golden Globe. He landed his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1962 for his comedy variety series 'The Bob Newhart Show', and got a new generation of fans playing Professor Proton on 'The Big Bang Theory'. Bob was married to Ginnie Quinn, daughter of actor Bill Quinn, from 1963 until her death aged 82 in April 2023. He is survived by their four children - sons Robert and Timothy and daughters Jennifer and Courtney - as well as 10 grandchildren. He said in one of his final interviews by email with CNN in 2023 his part in 'Elf' was his favourite role from his seven-decade career, adding: "Without question, the part of Papa Elf outranks, by far, any role I may have ever played. "My agent sent me the script and I fell in love with it. He added he thought it was going to be "another 'Miracle on 34th Street'" as people would "watch it every year". Bob served in the United States army during the Korean War as a personnel manager until being discharged in 1954 - going on to land jobs as an accountant and copywriter.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     19 Jun: Caitlyn Jenner says there is "nowhere I would have rather been" than Israel in recent days, despite the country coming under attack
     19 Jun: LeBron James is open to a career in acting
     19 Jun: Kelsey Parker thinks her late husband Tom "picked" her new partner
     19 Jun: Jason Isaacs has revealed The White Lotus cast were paid $40,000 an episode
     19 Jun: Avril Lavigne has praised her ex-husband Deryck Whibley as a "legend" after the pair reunited for a performance
     19 Jun: Brad Pitt would tell his younger self to "trust your voice"
     19 Jun: Sir David Beckham's mother couldn't stop crying over his knighthood
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Crusaders have rolled out some of their greats for final words of advice heading in Saturday's Super Rugby final against the Chiefs in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A positive view on Kiwi university ratings More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Caitlyn Jenner says there is "nowhere I would have rather been" than Israel in recent days, despite the country coming under attack 20:29

    Entertainment:
    LeBron James is open to a career in acting 19:59

    Entertainment:
    Kelsey Parker thinks her late husband Tom "picked" her new partner 19:29

    Entertainment:
    Jason Isaacs has revealed The White Lotus cast were paid $40,000 an episode 18:59

    Business:
    A positive view on Kiwi university ratings 18:57

    Rugby:
    The Crusaders have rolled out some of their greats for final words of advice heading in Saturday's Super Rugby final against the Chiefs in Christchurch 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Avril Lavigne has praised her ex-husband Deryck Whibley as a "legend" after the pair reunited for a performance 18:29

    Netball:
    New Zealand netballers beware 18:27

    International:
    Baby of brain-dead mother Adriana Smith delivered in US state of Georgia 18:17

    Maori:
    Scrapping the national census raises data sovereignty and surveillance fears for Maori 18:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd