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