Let me tell you about Bob Newhart, a man who not only mastered the art of making us laugh but also excelled at being a devoted husband and father. With an Emmy win for his legendary work on The Big Bang Theory and countless other nominations, Bob Newhart left an indelible mark on the world of comedy. But there’s so much more to his story. Alongside his wife, Ginnie Newhart, he raised four remarkable children—Robert, Timothy, Jennifer, and Courtney—creating a family that was as cherished as his career. Ginnie passed away in April 2023, but their love story lived on through their children and grandchildren.
On July 18, 2024, the world mourned the loss of this comedy icon when his publicist, Jerry Digney, announced his passing in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses. Bob was 94, and tributes poured in from fans and fellow celebrities alike, celebrating over six decades of his brilliance in entertainment.
Meet Bob Newhart’s Kids: A Family Legacy
Bob and Ginnie Newhart’s love story began in 1962 when they were set up on a blind date by none other than Buddy Hackett. Now, let me paint you a picture of how this came about. Buddy was nothing if not determined to bring these two together. As Bob recalled in a 2019 interview with People, Buddy said, “I’ve got a girl for you. She’s going with another guy, but I don’t think he’s right for her, so I’m going to fix you up on a blind date. You’ll meet her, date, get married, have kids, and you’ll even call one of them Buddy.”
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Ginnie, too, remembered Buddy’s enthusiasm when he approached her about Bob. In a 2013 interview with City & Shore Magazine, she said, “Buddy came back one day and said in his own unique way, ‘I met this young guy, and his name is Bobby Newhart, and he’s a comic and he’s Catholic and you’re Catholic. I think maybe you should marry each other.’”
And Buddy was right. Bob and Ginnie tied the knot not long after they started dating in 1963. That same year, in November, they welcomed their first child, Robert. Their family grew with Timothy in 1966, Jennifer in 1970, and finally Courtney in December 1977. Meanwhile, Bob juggled his career on shows like Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Bob Newhart Show, and Newhart, while his kids mostly stayed out of the spotlight. They occasionally joined him at red carpet events, like the Mark Twain Prize for Humor Award ceremony in 2002 and the 3rd Annual TV Land Awards in 2005.
While Bob’s children didn’t pursue Hollywood careers full-time, they dabbled in the industry. Robert has one acting credit for Heart and Souls in 1993, Timothy worked on several projects in the early '90s, including Get a Life, Ferris Bueller, and Newhart, and Courtney appeared in Newhart in 1986. She also earned credit as a production assistant on George & Leo in 1997.
Bob and Ginnie celebrated 60 years of marriage before Ginnie’s passing in April 2023 at the age of 82. Publicist Jerry Digney confirmed her death to People, saying, “Ginnie Newhart, 82, beloved wife of 60 years to comedy legend Bob Newhart, passed away Sunday, April 23, after a long illness.”
Bob Newhart’s Grandkids: Continuing the Legacy
Bob cherished his role as a grandpa to his growing family. According to reports, the Golden Globe winner had at least 10 grandchildren through his children. In an August 2019 interview with Closer, Bob shared insights into his life as a grandparent and offered some advice to his grandson about following in his comedic footsteps.
“My grandson did stand-up the other day,” Bob said. “I asked him what it was like. He said he told one joke and it worked, then he told another that didn’t work, but he kept going. I told him, ‘That’s the secret. You’ve got to keep going and put one foot in front of the other.’”
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