Ginnie Newhart, wife of comedian Bob Newhart, has died at the age of 82 following a long battle with an unknown illness. The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and had been set up on a blind date by comedian Buddy Hackett in 1963. Ginnie did not star in the CBS series Newhart, but played a major role in its success by devising the plot twist in the memorable series finale.
Ginnie Newhart, wife of comedian Bob Newhart, has passed away at the age of 82 after a long illness, leaving behind her husband, three children and 10 grandchildren.
Comedian Bob Newhart’s wife, Ginnie Newhart, passed away on April 23rd at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness. Publicist Jerry Digney confirmed the news and noted that Ginnie had been their main support. Bob Newhart also shared his grief on Twitter and said that she was their rock and that they missed her terribly. The couple had recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Although Ginnie did not star in the popular CBS series “Newhart,” she played a significant behind-the-scenes role. The iconic series finale revealed that the show had been a dream devised by Ginnie. Following the news, Ginnie’s friend and Bob’s “Newhart” co-star Julia Duffy paid tribute to her on Twitter. She described Ginnie as funny, candid, with a huge heart and credited her with giving her the best advice in everything from decorating to childbirth.
The couple’s love story began when they were set up on a blind date by comedian and mutual friend Buddy Hackett. In a 2013 interview with City & Shore magazine, Ginnie recalled how Hackett had said, “I met this young guy and his name is Bobby Newhart, and he’s a comic and he’s Catholic and you’re Catholic and I think maybe you should marry each other.” They got married in 1963 and had three children and ten grandchildren.
Bob Newhart has previously credited laughter as the secret to their long-lasting marriage. He stated that humor could diffuse even the most intense argument and added that it was as vital as breathing. Laughter, according to him, was one of the most beautiful sounds in the world, much like music. Ginnie Newhart’s legacy will live on, and she will be remembered by those who knew and loved her.