logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Bob Newhart Is 90 Years Old Now and Still Looks Great

Jaimie-lee Prince
By Jaimie-lee Prince
Aug 09, 2020
09:00 P.M.

Bob Newhart's humor seems to be as timeless as the older man's looks. At 90, this comedic legend is still looking to bring laughter to all those around him.

Advertisement

Stand-up comedian Bob Newhart was born on September 5, 1929. That makes him one of the oldest living legends in the comedy world. These days, Bob still appears to be feeling and looking good.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the aged actor remained behind the scenes like many other celebrities. Yet in the past few years, he has made several public appearances.

Bob Newhart at the 1987 Emmy Awards | Photo by Alan Light, Bob Newhart crop, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons Images

Bob Newhart at the 1987 Emmy Awards | Photo by Alan Light, Bob Newhart crop, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons Images

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, to George David Newhart and Julia Pauline Burns, Bob was initially named after his father. Raised Catholic, he went to two religious schools before attending Loyola University.

Advertisement

There, he attained his bachelor's degree in business management. He then served as a personnel manager between 1950 and 1953 during the Korean war. He received an honorable discharge in 1954.

Bob then pursued a law degree at the same university, but his endeavors were cut short after an internship asked unethical behavior of him. He left and took up accounting work for the US Gypsum Corporation.

Advertisement

FROM A DESK JOB TO NIGHTCLUBS

After leaving there, too, he attempted to be a clerk at various institutions. He struggled with money before finally landing a job as an advertising copywriter in 1958. It was here Bob discovered his talents.

The job was a bore, and Bob was delighted to fill the dead air with telephone calls to his co-worker about bizarre stories he made up. Pretty soon, he had created a comedy routine.

The routine was converted to audition tapes which Bob sent out to radio stations. By the following year, he was performing at nightclubs and landed a contract with Warner Bros Records — then still in its prime.

Advertisement

SELF-TITLED VARIETY SHOWS AND SITCOMS

In 1960, Bob's album "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart" reached Billboard charts' number one spot. It earned him a Grammy in 1961 when Bob also earned his own variety show.

It was short-lived despite winning a Peabody Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. He later appeared in films like 1962's "Hell is for Heroes," 1968's "Hot Millions," 1970's "Catch-22," and 1971's "Cold Turkey."

Advertisement

Bob landed a sitcom, "The Bob Newhard Show," from 1972 to 1978. He was also in 1977's animated film, "The Rescuers." In 1980," he appeared in "Little Miss Marker" and "First Family."

He starred in another sitcom, "Newhart," from 1982 to 1990. Then, in 1992, a sitcom named "Bob" played until 1993. In 1997, Bob finally ended up in a sitcom not named after him: "George and Leo." It ended a year later.

Advertisement

RECENT WORK AND RELATIONSHIP WITH CARSON

Since then, Bob's longest-running significant role was in "The Librarian" franchise from 2004 to 2008. He also appeared in the hit films and tv shows "Horrible Bosses" and "The Big Bang Theory."

Over the years, Bob has guest-hosted "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" 87 times. Last October, Bob recalled the puckish relationship he shared with Carson.

Bob, who has been immortalized at the Chicago Navy Pier as a Bob Hartley statue, had a lot in common with the late tv host. They also shared a love of comedy and pranks.

Comedian Bob Newhart during an interview with host Johnny | Photo: Getty Images

Comedian Bob Newhart during an interview with host Johnny | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

One such prank, Bob remembered, was when he tricked Carson into listening to several extra minutes of a boring author on-air by convincing the host's assistant to change the clock.

Of course, Carson would also prank Bob right back. Now that he's gone, others have taken up the role of pranking Bob in recent times. They use his age as the butt of their jokes, but Bob could easily pass for ten years younger.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Teacher Jason Hughes Passed Away after School Prank Did Not Go as Planned

March 09, 2026

Loved Ones Mourn Five-Year-Old Boy After Shocking Family Incident Leads to Legal Issues

April 08, 2026

Jane Fonda Ignites Buzz Over Her Response to Barbra Streisand Paying Tribute to Late Robert Redford at the 2026 Oscars

March 17, 2026

Country Music Legend and 'Take This Job and Shove It' Songwriter Passes Away at 86 – Fans Pay Tribute

April 30, 2026

This Hollywood Legend Makes a Rare Appearance on His 90th Birthday amid His Long Parkinson's Battle

February 03, 2026

This 2000s Hollywood Star Looks Unrecognisable Now and Fans Are Shocked by How 'Rough' He Appears at 54 – Photos

May 05, 2026

Lily-Rose Depp Steps Out with Girlfriend 070 Shake, Igniting Buzz – Photos

March 31, 2026

Inside the Wayans' Legacy: The Comedy Empire Built by 10 Talented Siblings

January 23, 2026

ABC and Disney Face Growing Pressure as Jimmy Kimmel's Joke Goes Viral, Igniting Buzz About the Future of His Show

April 28, 2026

The Story of Jimmy Carr's Transformation: His Physical and Personal Evolution, From His Relationship to Plastic Surgery

March 26, 2026

Piers Morgan Halts Interview Mid-Conversation After Guest Shows His Wife's Poolside Post

March 19, 2026