'How He Will Be Missed!': Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon Stars Pay Tribute to Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart’s passing has deeply saddened his co-workers from "The Big Bang Theory" and "Young Sheldon." Stars from both shows have shared heartfelt tributes and fond memories of the comedy legend. Just a few years shy of 100, Newhart once revealed how he was recruited for a major TV sitcom.

After his publicist, Jerry Digney, confirmed the news of his death on July 18, 2024, Bob Newhart's former co-stars and co-workers from "Young Sheldon" and "The Big Bang Theory" mourned him.

Mayim Bialik, who starred alongside Newhart on "TBBT," created a touching post in tribute to him. "As a child, the "Bob Newhart Show provided countless hours of enjoyment for me – it constituted some of my earliest training in the art of sitcom," she revealed.

Bialik also shared how working with Newhart on "TBBT" was "absolutely a dream come true" for her. She added, "He was effortlessly professional, poised, hilarious and incredibly approachable. Working with Bob was working in the presence of a true comedy legend – the likes of whom we simply don’t see anymore. How he will be missed!"

"TBBT's" Kunal Nayyar also posted a tribute on his Instagram Story on the same day. The star, who played Rajesh "Raj" Ramayan Koothrappali, wrote his message over a throwback picture of Newhart. He said, "Professor Proton. Our dearest Bob Newhart. RIP. Miss you forever."

Bill Prady, "TBBT's" co-creator, honored the late actor with a photo of them posing together on X. In the post's caption, he noted, "Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him."

Continuing his tribute to the celebrity who died after a series of short illnesses, Prady stated, "Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life."

Chuck Lorre, "TBBT's" co-creator, shared how he begged Newhart for years to join one of his shows. Newhart finally agreed to appear on "TBBT" after falling in love with it, but on two conditions: that his character's arc spanned several episodes and that he would win an Emmy for his role.

According to Lorre, both expectations were met. He added, "I got to work with a comedy legend. A master of the craft, and a kind and gentle man. I even got to call him a friend. How lucky am I?"

Meanwhile, in a statement to People, "Young Sheldon's" Iain Armitage expressed, "Bob’s Professor Proton was inspiring to Sheldon, and his career as an actor was inspiring to me. He was loved and will be missed."

On the same day Newhart died, Armitage, who plays Sheldon on the show, uploaded a photo of the late star as Professor Proton on his Instagram Story. He starred in three episodes of "Young Sheldon" from 2017 to 2020.

Over the image, he wrote, "Thanks for being such an inspiring Professor Proton and such an incredible human being." The post, which included a string of red broken heart emoticons, also had the words, "Thinking of you and all who loved you today."

Apart from the outpour of tributes from his co-workers, Newhart's death also left netizens heartbroken. One shared a short clip of the late star on "TBBT," writing, "I simply *loved* Bob Newhart as Professor Proton in 'The Big Bang Theory," The fan added, "Nobody could have played that part better."

Replying to the post, someone else stated, "I'm grateful my children had the chance to appreciate his genius via the #BigBangTheory." Meanwhile, another netizen said, "He was great in the part."

Sharing a still photo from the same scene, an X user grieved, writing, "Rest in peace to #BobNewhart, who's had a storied career with numerous roles. I'm fond, however, of his recurring roles in the #BigBangTheory. #RIPBobNewhart."

A fan of the "Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde" star uploaded an emotional emoticon and revealed, "I'm so sad that Professor Proton has died #BobNewhart #BigBangTheory."

In 2013, Newhart, who appeared in six episodes of "TBBT" from 2013 to 2018, was asked why he chose to do the show. His role on "TBBT" marked his first half-hour comedy appearance in a while. The actor explained that he'd gotten offers to star in other project pilots, but it was too much for him.

He explained that emotionally, he couldn't feature in another series. "It takes too much out of you and it’s for the younger people today," he shared.

However, the actor admitted, "There seems to be a rhythm now in sitcoms — setup joke, setup joke, setup joke. As a result, the audience doesn’t know what the joke is but they know it’s coming because that’s where it always goes. There’s an internal rhythm. That’s one of the reasons I took The Big Bang Theory."

Newhart was equally impressed with the show's casting and writing, stating, "It’s beautifully cast, has great writing and it’s intelligent... It doesn’t talk down to the audience at all."

On how the idea of him appearing on "TBBT" came about, Newhart revealed Lorre was on the lot when they shot "The Bob Newhart Show" and they would sit discussing a project they could work together in.

Lorre asked Newhart what it would take for him to do one of his shows, and the star demanded that his scenes be taped live. After going back and forth about what the actor could star in, they finally agreed on "TBBT."

Newhart said he didn't want any pre-taping where a laugh track was added afterward because he felt "you lose something." A live audience was present when he shot shows like "Honeymooners," "All in the Family," "Mary Tyler Moore," and more.

Bob Newhart always felt having a live audience gave the show adrenaline, and that was the only way he functioned. His other condition was that he wanted a semi-recurring role, and that's how he got to star as Professor Proton.

The celebrity said during his time, Professor Proton was Don Herbert, who was known as Mr. Wizard. Herbert did all sorts of experiments for children using common items found in the house.

Ironically, "TBBT" characters, Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (played by Johnny Galecki), grew up watching Herbert's shows. This led them to want to be scientists. When they discovered the professor worked in the same genre, they hired him.

Proton thought they hired him to do a children's show but later found out that it was for the two grown men. Newhart recalled how enthusiastic Cooper and Hofstadter were while Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) "is amazed by one of the things he does.