The well-loved comedian Bobby Newhart, who passed away at the age of 94, was known for his strong love of sports.
Learn more: ‘Comedy Icon’ Bobby Newhart Remembered by Billy Crystal, Judd Apatow, and more
Despite making Los Angeles his home from 1961 until his passing, Newhart was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan, hailing from Oak Park, Illinois, a mere 10 miles from Wrigley Field. In a 2016 interview with the Chicago Tribune, he shared how his beloved baseball team shaped his comedic style.
“In my standup, I always said that I’m a Cub fan and it kind of prepared you for life,” Newhart reflected. “You know, you’re ahead now, but you’re going to screw it up somehow. You don’t know what it’s going to be, but you know you’re bound to screw it up.”
Newhart enjoyed signing autographs for fans at Wrigley Field during his visits to Chicago. He fondly recalled in the Tribune interview a memorable encounter with John Belushi, who revealed he was once one of the kids asking for his autograph at Wrigley Field.
Despite attending Cubs games at Dodger Stadium, Newhart never wavered in his loyalty to the Cubs. His unwavering support was finally rewarded in 2016 when the Cubs ended their 108-year championship drought.
“It would be treason, after all these years, to switch allegiance to the Dodgers or something,” he declared to the Tribune. “Usually we’re invited (to games in LA) by the Cubs organization. They give us a suite, you know. Tom Dreesen’s there, Joe Mantegna, just a bunch of Chicagoans that have stuck with the Cubs all these years.”
In The Bob Newhart Show, a popular 1970s sitcom, his character was a psychologist who had a fictitious Cubs pitcher as a client. When this pitcher mentioned him in an interview, Newhart’s character attracted a new client, leading to hilarious scenarios.
Newhart also cheered for other Chicago sports teams, often referencing the Bears in Newhart. He maintained his ties to Chicago from his youth through his Hollywood career, a hallmark of a true Chicago sports enthusiast.