Bob Newhart

As a stand-up comedian in the 1960s, Bob Newhart explored the absurdities of everyday life with an underplayed delivery and gentle stammer that earned him three Grammys and the first comedy album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts. His unique brand of humor translated well to television, where he starred in two of the best-loved sitcoms of all time - the Emmy-nominated "The Bob Newhart Show" (CBS, 1972-78) and the even more popular "Newhart" (CBS, 1982-1990), which cast the genteel comedian as the put-upon owner-operator of a Vermont bed and breakfast populated by an odd assortment of characters. After the latter show went off the air, Newhart settled into a series of supporting roles in features like "In and Out" (1997), "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde" (2003) and "Elf" (2003) opposite Will Ferrell. He went on to greater acclaim with an Emmy-nominated dramatic turn on "ER" (NBC, 1994-2009) in 2004, which earned him a new generation of fans unfamiliar with his previous sitcom success. From there, Newhart reached new heights with his acclaimed turn in "The Librarian: Quest for the Spear" (TNT, 2004) its two sequels and the series "The Librarians" (TNT 2014- ), while continuing to appear as a guest star on high-profile series such as "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS 2007- ), proving that Newhart remained a potent force in entertainment.