Actor Bob Newhart, Sheldon’s idol in ‘The Big Bang Theory’, dies – El Financiero

American actor Bob Newhart, best known for his stammering, deadpan delivery on the television series The Big Bang Theory, died Thursday morning at the age of 94 after a brief illness at his home in Los Angeles, his representative said.

The famous man’s illness is currently unknown because neither his family nor his manager have revealed any further details about his final days.

Bob Newhart died of illness. (Photo: IMDB)

Who was Bob Newhart?

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, the actor began his career as a comedian and writer in Chicago while working as an accountant during the day.

At the age of 30, he released the comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart under the Warner Bros. Records label, with which he broke sales records and made him the first comedian to win a Grammy for best new artist, in his role as a singer.

The album was also the first comedy album to win the awards’ top category: album of the year, up against figures such as Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte and Nat King Cole.

Sheldon looked to Dr. Proton (Bob Newhart) as his teacher. (Photo: IMDB)

What movies and series did Bob Newhart appear in?

After having success in music, the doors opened to film and television productions such as the series The Alfred Hitchcock Hour or the film Cold Turkey, but it was not until 1972 that he had his own show called The Bob Newhart Show in which he played a Chicago psychologist who had to take care of crazy patients.

The next hit show he appeared in was Newhart, where he played a writer who had to deal with extravagant characters after arriving in a new city. Both series were a huge success for the CBS TV network.

Throughout his career, the actor was nominated nine times for an Emmy for productions such as Bob Newhart Show and The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice, but it was not until his participation in the television series The Big Bang Theory that he received the Television Academy Award for best guest actor in a comedy series.

Bob Newhart was in ‘The Big Bang Theory’. (Photo: IMDB)

Newer generations also knew him for his work as Papa Elf in the Christmas movie Elf, and his recent television appearance as Professor Proton from Young Sheldon.

Newhart also made appearances on series such as ER, Saturday Night Live and in 1996 lent his voice to an episode of The Simpsons. His film work also includes movies such as Hot Millions and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.