Towards the end of his life, Bob Newhart lost the will to live, even though he made people laugh with his deadpan humor for decades.
A source claims the famous comedian was recently dealt a “one-two punch” when two of the most important people in his life died.
Discover the reason for Newhart’s friend’s statement that “he was ready to go.”
Buddy Hackett, an actor friend of Bob Newhart, took him on a blind date in 1962 when he was 33.
The young lady was Ginnie Quinn, daughter of Bill Quinn, an actress who appeared on such television shows as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Archie Bunker’s Place.
“Buddy said, I’ve got a girl for you,” the Bob Newhart Show star told People in 2019. “I’m going to set you up on a blind date because she’s dating another guy, but I don’t think she’s right for her,” he said. After meeting with you will date her and eventually tie the knot. Then you will have children, one of whom you will name Buddy.
“Which we did, one of our daughters, we called her Buddy,” joked the actor, who played Professor Proton on Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory.
The couple married on January 12, 1963, and had two children: Jennifer (1971) and Courtney (1977), as well as sons Robert (1963) and Timothy (1967).
A love that never dies
In honor of their 60th wedding anniversary, the Elf star posted some old pictures on Facebook with the message: “On January 12, 1963, sixty years ago today, Bob Newhart married Virginia Quinn after Buddy Hackett set them up on a blind date. They wanted to share some of our favorite images to celebrate this incredible milestone.
Three months later, the 94-year-old celebrity broke the hearts of her 1.2 million fans with another tweet.
We lost our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Ginnie Quinn Newhart on April 23, 2023, after a long battle with illness.
He said of his 82-year-old wife: “She was our rock and we miss her terribly.”
Don and Bob
Newhart lost his best friend, comedian Don Rickles, six years ago to the death of Ginnie.
The celebrities who dominated The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast had a great rapport and created some fun moments with their diverse styles.
Rickles was a comedian whose witty remarks complemented Newhart’s confused responses and demonstrated their mutual admiration and comedic skills.
Judd Apatow, co-producer of the popular films The 40-Year-Old Virgin and The King of Staten Island, co-produced the short Bob and Don: Love Story that captured the essence of Rickle and Newhart’s enduring friendship.
However, the romance between Bob and Don was about to end.
The acclaimed comedian and his wife made a statement on April 7, 2017, about their friend, who died at the age of 90 from kidney disease.
“He was called the ‘Merchant of Poison,’ but in reality, he was one of the kindest, most caring, and sensitive human beings we have ever known,” the statement continued. “Our world will never be the same again, and we’re sad about that. We weren’t quite ready for that.
“He was ready to leave.
Following Newhart’s untimely death on July 18, 2024, following a “series of brief illnesses”, a friend and fellow comedian described the award-winning actor as “lonely and heartbroken”. Newhart became a recluse.
An acquaintance stated, “Those two d:ea:ths hit Bob like a one-two punch,” alluding to Ginnie and Rickles dying. “After Ginny died, he was ready to leave. After 60 years of blissful marriage, she took with her whatever happiness was left in his life.”
“When Don died, Bob felt like he lost a brother, but Ginnie’s death was even harder for him.”
An unnamed insider claims Newhart had nothing left to live for, saying, “I believe he was relieved when he realized he was going to die.” He was aware that he would see Don and Ginny again.
The comic king is survived by ten grandchildren and four descendants.
Bob Newhart’s final years were marked by an overwhelming sense of loss, making his departure almost inevitable. After the deaths of his beloved wife Ginnie and his longtime friend Don Rickles, Newhart’s life seemed to have lost color and joy.
Described as a “one-two punch”, these losses left the comedian feeling abandoned and isolated, which eventually led to a sense of resignation. For someone who brought joy to others all his life with his dry humor and perfect timing, his later years were tragically quiet and sad.
Despite the deep grief he experienced, Newhart’s legacy lives on through his iconic work and the family he leaves behind. His children and grandchildren, ten in all, are a testament to his enduring love of family, and the bonds he shared with Ginnie and Don remain etched in the hearts of those who knew him. While Newhart may have felt ready to be reunited with his loved ones, his death marks the end of an era of comedy and a deep loss for those who cherished him. His life, marked by both laughter and heartache, reminds us of the complexity of the human experience, even for those who seem to have it all.