Kaley Cuoco, Jamie Lee Curtis and Judd Apatow were among the first to pay tribute to Bob Newhart after the comedy legend's death on Thursday.
Newhart died on Thursday morning at his home in Los Angeles from natural causes following a series of short illnesses on Thursday morning at his home in Los Angeles, his publicist Jerry Digney confirmed to Fox News Digital. He was 94.
"What a dream it was to witness the genius that was Bob Newhart," Cuoco, who co-starred with Newhart on the hit sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," wrote on her Instagram Story.
She continued, "He was classy, kind, generous and absolutely hilarious. Every take — every time. Icon forever."
In another post on her Instagram Story, Cuoco wrote, "I will never forget you, Bob! Thank you for making our dreams come true!"
Curtis shared a black and white photo of Newhart on Instagram, writing, "They will be laughing wherever people go when they leave us. God, he was funny! Bob Newhart. You will be missed!"
Mayim Bialik, who also starred alongside Newhart in "The Big Bang Theory," remembered the late comedian in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"As a child, the Bob Newhart Show provided countless hours of enjoyment for me – it constituted some of my earliest training in the art of sitcom," she wrote. "When I got to work alongside him on ['The Big Bang Theory'], it was absolutely a dream come true. He was effortlessly professional, poised, hilarious and incredibly approachable. Working with Bob was working in the presence of a true comedy legend – the likes of whom we simply don’t see anymore. How he will be missed!"
Apatow co-directed the 2023 documentary "Bob and Don: A Love Story," which followed the longtime friendship between Newhart and the late legendary comedian Don Rickles.
In a post on X, Apatow wrote, "Bob Newhart was the kindest most hilarious man. He asked me to make a documentary about his friendship with Don Rickles. I was so lucky to get to spend that time with my hero. His brilliant comedy and gentle spirit made everyone he encountered so happy."
Mark Hamill also shared a tribute to Newhart on X, posting a throwback photo of the sitcom star and writing, "From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter. Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart! #RIP"
Zooey Deschanel also paid tribute to Newhart, who was her co-star in the hit 2003 Christmas comedy "Elf."
"Bob Newhart was an absolute genius and the sweetest and kindest man. He will truly be missed," she told Fox News Digital in a statement.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Lesley Ann Warren, who played Newhart's wife on the ABC TV series "Desperate Housewives," said, "Bob Newhart, a true comedy legend, you will be dearly missed but your indelible performances will live on for generations. What a joy to work beside you! R.I.P."
Alec Baldwin honored Newhart in an Instagram post, sharing an image of the actor and writing, "Au revoir to the great Bob Newhart…"
In a post he shared on X, fellow comedian Dane Cook remembered how he had been inspired by Newhart.
"Mr. Bob Newhart passed away today. His album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart impacted my career intensely. He was and is one of the best comedians to ever deliver and man he delivered. Always funny. Always from the heart. Always a reminder to me of why I started in stand up. Legend Bob Newhart you are forever funny."
Former U.S. senator Al Franken, who rose to fame starring on "Saturday Night Live," shared a tribute on X, writing, "Bob Newhart was a giant, a genius, and a great guy. I’ll always remember when he hosted SNL and did a stellar show. He was, as you might expect, a joy to work with. May his memory be a blessing."
