Bob Newhart, the celebrated actor and comedian renowned for his roles in Elf and Legally Blonde, has passed away at 94.
Newhart first rose to fame as a comedian with notable appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. He seamlessly transitioned to acting, with memorable roles in films like Catch-22 and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. His voice work was iconic, including his role as Leonard the Polar Bear in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and as the lead in Legally Blonde 2.
Born on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois, Newhart was the son of Julia Pauline, an Irish housewife, and George David Newhart, who co-owned a plumbing supply business. Raised with three sisters, he attended Catholic schools in the Chicago area, including St. Catherine of Siena Grammar School and St. Ignatius College Prep.
He earned a degree in business management from Loyola University Chicago in 1952 and served as a personnel manager in the US Army during the Korean War before his discharge in 1954.
Initially pursuing law, Newhart left Loyola University Chicago School of Law due to ethical concerns and found his passion in entertainment. His television career began with the short-lived NBC variety show The Bob Newhart Show, followed by his iconic role as psychologist Robert Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show. He also starred as Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon on Newhart.
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