Bob Newhart did comedy to ''keep him from crying''
You’d think the comedy great Bob Newhart would answer all of life’s questions with a one-liner or well-timed joke, but he had more depth than that—though you’d never know it based on his performance as the lead actor in The Bob Newhart Show.
In The Bob Newhart Show, Bob Newhart played Dr. Bob Hartley, a witty psychologist based in Chicago. The series helped crown Newhart as one of TV's top comedians, and the show is still remembered as one of the best comedy series of past decades.
In a 1974 interview with The Evening News, Newhart discussed what inspired him to become a comedian and why he chose comedy as a career.
"There are a lot of questions I keep asking myself about why I do comedy," Newhart said. "I guess I laugh to keep from crying. And I guess if you ever get me crying, I might not stop. This is the way I look at tragedy or else I'll cry."
Newhart had been making audiences laugh for more than a decade, but deep down he was dealing with the same struggles as everyone else. The Bob Newhart Show helped viewers navigate tough times—whether through history, the news, or everyday life.
Turns out, he needed a laugh just as much as we did.
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"I really don't know what makes me a comedian," Newhart said. "I think it's family background and environment. Yet if you put the same ingredients in another person, he may never utter a funny line."
According to the interview, Newhart’s biggest theory about what made someone funny was that comedians weren’t good-looking—except for Dick Shawn, he added. He placed himself in the category of “non-good-looking comedians,” though his theory clearly went beyond looks.
"I guess it's a defense for us," Newhart said. "Telling jokes allow you to get a substitute love... and applause of others. But once you get it you keep on performing... I don't know why."
Newhart didn’t plan on becoming a comedian. Born in Chicago, he earned a degree in commerce before serving in the Army. He always knew he enjoyed making people laugh around the neighborhood, but he never thought it would become his career.
He took a few chances and changed the trajectory of his life. He believed his success in show business was aided by his background in business.
This made his comedic style slightly different from others, but his style—and those of other comedians—had one thing in common: they were all laughing through the pain.
"I guess we looked at life in a sick sort of way," Newhart said. "But it makes people laugh."
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