At 80, stand-up comedian Bob Newhart is finally getting official recognition for his contribution to the entertainment industry.
On June 1st, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will celebrate the “first solo straight man’s” 50th year in show business. In simpler terms, the Emmy Awards are celebrating Bob Newhart. The Academy noted the release of his debut stand-up comedy album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, was first released in 1960, exactly 50 years ago.
The record “became the first comedy album to go No. 1 on the charts,” and went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1961. To this day Newhart still performs stand-up shows around the country, though he is more known for his two television sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978) and Newhart (1982-1990). He received three Emmy nominations for Newhart, but lost on all three occasions.
The event at Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre will be moderated by the Los Angeles Times’ Pete Hammond and will have a star-studded panel, including Don Rickles, Fred Willard, Tim Conway, Tommy Smothers amongst others. The event is already sold out.
