Chuck Lorre Remembers Bob Newhart: “I Even Got To Call Him A Friend. How Lucky Am I?”
Chuck Lorre has paid tribute to Bob Newhart, his friend who also happened to play Arthur Jeffries aka Professor Proton, on The Big Bang Theory.
In a statement released this afternoon, the uber-producer who co-created The Big Bang Theory with Bill Prady recalled what it took to get Newhart to star on the CBS comedy.
“For years I begged Bob to appear on one of my shows. He always said no. But then he fell in love with The Big Bang Theory and said yes – with two provisions. One: his character had to have an arc that spanned several episodes. And two: he wanted to win an Emmy. We delivered on both. 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?”
Newhart died today at his Los Angeles home. He was 94.
Professor Proton was a former children’s science show host who was first hired by Sheldon and Leonard, who grew up watching him, as a source of entertainment. He would demonstrate scientific principles using everyday objects.
It shocked Jeffries that two grown men wanted to see him perform his old tricks.
Newhart appeared in several episodes of the Big Bang Theory as Jeffries. He also reprised the role for Young Sheldon. He was nominated for an Emmy three times for playing Professor Proton; he won in 2013.
Earlier Thursday, Prady wrote on X that it was “hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him. Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life.”
Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler on TBBT, wrote on Instagram that it was a “dream come true” to work alongside Newhart.
Kevin Sussman, who played Stuart Bloom on TBBT, had this to say about Newhart.
And Wil Wheaton, who played himself on The Big Bang Theory, had this to say on Facebook, “When I had the extraordinary privilege of working in the same episodes as Bob Newhart, I stayed on the stage the whole time, just to watch him work. I mean, how could I not? He made it all look so easy, and holy shit he was so funny, even more than you think. One day, he and I ended up sitting next to each other during a break in production. In the industry, we call it ‘taking a five’ or ‘a quick ten’ or something like that. Just a little break for everyone to catch their breaths. A couple of the writers were there, I think, and maybe one or two other actors. And we all sat there, while Bob Newhart told stories about his life and career. It was amazing. This legend, just talking to us like it was no big deal, sharing these incredible experiences with us. I knew then that I would never forget it, that I would cherish that experience for the rest of my life.
I just read the news that Bob Newhart passed away at 94, and this memory has come back to me, like it was yesterday. He didn’t need to be kind. He didn’t need to tell us these stories. He didn’t owe us any of his time. And yet he did, and he loved it. Because he chose to do all those things, I have a gift that Bob Newhart gave me. I haven’t opened it in a while, but I took it out today, and I was grateful. Rest well, Bob.”
