Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The Big Bang Theoryfeatured several celebrity cameos throughout its 12-season run. One of the most memorable cameos came from comedian Bob Newhart, who brought his signature deadpan humor into the series. He played Professor Proton, who was a fictional TV science educator and Sheldon and Leonard’s childhood hero.
Newhart’s cameo extended to a total of six episodes in the sitcom. He went on to appear in the prequel series,Young Sheldon, in three episodes. However, Newhart revealed that he was concerned whether the studio audience would recognize him during his first appearance.
Bob Newhart Was Concerned ThatThe Big Bang TheoryStudio Audience Wouldn’t Recognize Him
Bob Newhart was a sensation in the ’60s and ’70s, starring in his own sitcomThe Bob Newhart Show. Despite his several accomplishments as an actor, Newhart was not sure that fans would recognize him when he first appeared inThe Big Bang Theory. The show had brought him on toplay the role of a TV icon, Professor Proton.
“Completely unwatchable”: The Big Bang Theory Almost Ruined Sheldon’s Character By Giving Him One Quality in an Unaired Pilot That Never Made It in the Show
BeforeTBBT, Newhart hadn’t appeared in a sitcom for longer than three episodes sinceGeorge and Leoin 1997-98. He was obviously concerned whether the new-age fans would recognize him on the show. He revealed his fears during a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Newhart shared that he had conveyed his concern to series creatorChuck Lorre. He asked Lorre, the writers, and the director whether they were going to announce his appearance before taping the episode. He was nervous that the audience wouldn’t recognize him and his appearance would be greeted with complete silence. He shared withTHR:
I asked Chuck [Lorre], the writers and our director if they were going to announce I’m in the show before the taping. I was a little nervous that the live audience wouldn’t recognize me and there would just be silence.
However, Lorre assured the comedian that the audience would definitely recognize him. Lorre was confident that Newhart’s legacy remains unforgotten even among the new-age audiences of TV comedy. The series creator’s words came true as Newhart received an overwhelming welcome upon his appearance.
Newhart shared,“Thankfully, they recognized me; they applauded and stood up. That was very nice.”His role inThe Big Bang Theoryearned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. It was the actor’s first Emmy in his career.
Jim Parsons Recalled How The Standing Ovation onTBBTSet Was Emotional For Bob Newhart
Bob Newhart had a fun time working onThe Big Bang TheoryalongsideJim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, andKaley Cuoco. Parsons shared Newhart’s first appearance as his favorite memory of working with the legend when asked by Parade. Parsons shared that Newhart cried at the standing ovation he received from the studio audience when he appeared on the show.
“It was really a super dark time”: Neither The Big Bang Theory Ending Nor Henry Cavill Breakup Hurt Kaley Cuoco as Much as One Traumatic Life Event That Plunged Her into Crippling Depression
It was an emotional moment for all the actors on set as Parsons recalled. It was only at that moment that it hit Parsons how profound it was to work with Newhart after working with him all week at rehearsal. Parsons shared withParade:
The night we taped the first scene he ever did with us, he appeared in the hallway and the show stopped—just completely stopped—from the standing ovation the live audience gave him. He cried. I think we all cried.It was profound, and I realized how much I’d been stuffing down my knowledge of how profound it was to work with Bob all week at rehearsal, because who the hell can do good work while saying, ‘I can’t f–king believe I’m working with Bob Newhart!’ in your head the whole time? No one. But the dam broke in that moment.
Johnny Galeckialso revealed in an interview withTHRthat the actor started crying when the DJ played the theme song from his old show after the audience’s standing ovation. Newhart’s emotional moment also teared up Galecki and the other stars. Besides Newhart, the show kept bringing othercelebrities in cameo roles.
The Big Bang Theoryis now available for streaming on Max.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3017
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
More from Hashim Asraff
Peacemaker Season 2: Frank Grillo Reveals John Cena’s Secret That He Never Saw Coming
Prince Harry Gave Royal Family Member a Bloody Nose in a Fist Fight
‘Lost’ Star Who’s Also Tom Cruise’s Cousin Was in All His Top 4 Movies. How Many Did You Know?
Recommended
Perfect Match Season 3: How Did Ollie Propose to AD?
Severance Season 3: Why Isn’t Ben Stiller Directing? Details Inside
Timo Tjahjanto Shades Keanu Reeves Film: Why is Nobody 2 Not a Desperate John Wick Ripoff?
Why Is Sharon Stone Dissing Basic Instinct Reboot Despite Years of Clout? Details Inside
Anya Taylor-Joy and Meryl Streep Circling Same Role In Cameron Crowe’s Next Big Bet: Reports
What Did Justin Baldoni Say to Isabela Ferrer? Alarming Revelation in Blake Lively’s Lawsuit
Chuck LorreJim ParsonsKaley Cuoco
