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Bob Newhart remembered: The comedy legend's life in photos

USA TODAY
No one ever listened funnier than Bob Newhart. Any acting coach will tell you, of course, that an ability to really, fully listen to what another actor is saying is one of the trade’s essential tools. It’s one thing to do so when someone is actually speaking to you – but to appear to listen when nothing is being said? Newhart, who died Thursday at 94, turned that into an art. The Illinois-born former accountant made entertainment history with his sitcoms. Look back and his life and career through the years.
No one ever listened funnier than Bob Newhart.

Any acting coach will tell you, of course, that an ability to really, fully listen to what another actor is saying is one of the trade’s essential tools. It’s one thing to do so when someone is actually speaking to you – but to appear to listen when nothing is being said? Newhart, who died Thursday at 94, turned that into an art.

The Illinois-born former accountant made entertainment history with his sitcoms. Look back and his life and career through the years.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
The droll standup comedian and actor died at home in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses, his longtime publicist Jerry Digney announced. Here, Ben Stiller and Bob Newhart present the award for supporting actor in a comedy series during the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sep. 22, 2019.
The droll standup comedian and actor died at home in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses, his longtime publicist Jerry Digney announced.

Here, Ben Stiller and Bob Newhart present the award for supporting actor in a comedy series during the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sep. 22, 2019.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Johnny Galecki has a laugh with Bob Newhart at the red carpet arrival for at the "The Big Bang Theory" series finale party at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, Calif. on May 1, 2019.
Johnny Galecki has a laugh with Bob Newhart at the red carpet arrival for at the "The Big Bang Theory" series finale party at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, Calif. on May 1, 2019.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Newhart is the only comedian to have won Grammy awards for best new artist and album of the year. Back in 1960, Newhart won three Grammys for best new artist, album of the year ( " The Button-Down Mind Of Bob Newhart " ) and best spoken word comedy performance ( " The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back! " ). In his photo, he stands alongside Alessia Cara at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in February 2019.
Newhart is the only comedian to have won Grammy awards for best new artist and album of the year. Back in 1960, Newhart won three Grammys for best new artist, album of the year ("The Button-Down Mind Of Bob Newhart") and best spoken word comedy performance ("The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!"). In his photo, he stands alongside Alessia Cara at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in February 2019.
Robert Hanashiro, Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWO
He makes his " Big Bang " co-star Johnny Galecki laugh at the series finale party. " The Big Bang Theory " ended its run on CBS after 12 seasons in May 2019.
He makes his "Big Bang" co-star Johnny Galecki laugh at the series finale party. "The Big Bang Theory" ended its run on CBS after 12 seasons in May 2019.
ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY
Arthur Jeffries (Bob Newhart) isn ' t exactly thrilled that Sheldon (Jim Parsons) has pulled him into his dream world in a scene from CBS ' s " The Big Bang Theory.
Arthur Jeffries (Bob Newhart) isn't exactly thrilled that Sheldon (Jim Parsons) has pulled him into his dream world in a scene from CBS's "The Big Bang Theory.
Warner Bros.
The king of TV, stand-up and recorded comedy pays tribute to his regular-guy approachability with the title of his audio series, " Hi, Bob!, " which premiered in July 2018. Newhart compares notes on comedy with a generation of stars who followed him, such as Jimmy Kimmel.
The king of TV, stand-up and recorded comedy pays tribute to his regular-guy approachability with the title of his audio series, "Hi, Bob!," which premiered in July 2018. Newhart compares notes on comedy with a generation of stars who followed him, such as Jimmy Kimmel.
Audible
The comedy legend appears with his " Big Bang " costar Jim Parsons at the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards.
The comedy legend appears with his "Big Bang" costar Jim Parsons at the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Hooray! He won his first Creative Arts Emmy at the 2013 ceremony for outstanding guest actor in " The Big Bang Theory.
Hooray! He won his first Creative Arts Emmy at the 2013 ceremony for outstanding guest actor in "The Big Bang Theory.
Tommaso Boddi, WireImage
Newhart and Noah Wyle in " The Librarian 3: Curse of the Judas Chalice.
Newhart and Noah Wyle in "The Librarian 3: Curse of the Judas Chalice.
Erik Heinila, TNT
Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette reunite for a celebration event at the Paley Center for Media as TV Land hosts " The Bob Newhart Show " marathon to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the show in September 2007.
Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette reunite for a celebration event at the Paley Center for Media as TV Land hosts "The Bob Newhart Show" marathon to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the show in September 2007.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Pucker up! Newhart gets a kiss from his on-screen wife Suzanne Pleshette at the annual TV Land Awards Show held at the Santa Monica Airport in March 2005.
Pucker up! Newhart gets a kiss from his on-screen wife Suzanne Pleshette at the annual TV Land Awards Show held at the Santa Monica Airport in March 2005.
Robert Hanashiro, USAT
Newhart makes a few appearances as Morty, the estranged boyfriend of Susan Mayer ' s mom, Sophie, in " Desperate Housewives " in 2005.
Newhart makes a few appearances as Morty, the estranged boyfriend of Susan Mayer's mom, Sophie, in "Desperate Housewives" in 2005.
RON TOM, ABC
That ' s the Christmas Spirit! In one of his most memorable outfits yet, Newhart plays Papa Elf in the 2003 family comedy " Elf.
That's the Christmas Spirit! In one of his most memorable outfits yet, Newhart plays Papa Elf in the 2003 family comedy "Elf.
ALAN MARKFIELD, XXX NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS
Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) and his not-so-little son, Buddy (Will Ferrell) in " Elf.
Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) and his not-so-little son, Buddy (Will Ferrell) in "Elf.
ALAN MARKFIELD, XXX NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS
He plays Ben Hollander, a depressed patient who is going blind, in the NBC Series " ER.
He plays Ben Hollander, a depressed patient who is going blind, in the NBC Series "ER.
NONE, XXX WARNER BROS. PHOTO
Bend... and snap! Newhart stars as Elle Woods ' s (Reese Witherspoon) friend and doorman, in the 2003 comedy " Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
Bend... and snap! Newhart stars as Elle Woods's (Reese Witherspoon) friend and doorman, in the 2003 comedy "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
SAM EMERSON, XXX MGM
He looks pretty in pink with Jennifer Coolidge in " Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
He looks pretty in pink with Jennifer Coolidge in "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
SAM EMERSON, XXX MGM
He stars with Kelsey Grammer in the 2000 Showtime movie " The Sports Pages. "
He stars with Kelsey Grammer in the 2000 Showtime movie "The Sports Pages." 
DOUG CURRAN, XXX SHOWTIME
The gang ' s all here! Newhart is reunited with John Voldstad, William Sanderson, and Tony Papenfuss, who reprise their " Newhart " roles as Larry, Daryll, and Daryll, on the 1997 CBS television series " George and Leo. "
The gang's all here! Newhart is reunited with John Voldstad, William Sanderson, and Tony Papenfuss, who reprise their "Newhart" roles as Larry, Daryll, and Daryll, on the 1997 CBS television series "George and Leo."
Monty Brinton
Newhart, who is photographed with Judd Hirsch, plays a conservative bookstore owner in " George and Leo.
Newhart, who is photographed with Judd Hirsch, plays a conservative bookstore owner in "George and Leo.
TONY ESPARZA, CBS
He ' s not too pleased with Michael Harris (Peter Scolari) and his spoiled wife, Stephanie (Julia Duffy) in " George and Leo.
He's not too pleased with Michael Harris (Peter Scolari) and his spoiled wife, Stephanie (Julia Duffy) in "George and Leo.
RON TOM, XXX CBS
Throwing it back to September 1972, here ' s the cast of " The Bob Newhart Show. " The show earned two comedy series Emmy nominations during its six season run.
Throwing it back to September 1972, here's the cast of "The Bob Newhart Show." The show earned two comedy series Emmy nominations during its six season run.
MTM
Newhart starred as Dr. Robert Hartley, a psychiatrist dealing with his wife, friends and patients, and offered us some everyday humor and laughs.
Newhart starred as Dr. Robert Hartley, a psychiatrist dealing with his wife, friends and patients, and offered us some everyday humor and laughs.
Pioneers Of Television Archives
The cover for a 1975 issue of TV Guide featured the cast of " The Bob Newhart Show.
The cover for a 1975 issue of TV Guide featured the cast of "The Bob Newhart Show.
XXX TV GUIDE