Chuck Lorre Remembers Bob Newhart: “I Even Got To Call Him A Friend. How Lucky Am I?”

Chuck Lorre has paid tribute to Bob Newhart, his friend who also happened to play Professor Proton on The Big Bang Theory.

In a statement released this afternoon, the uber-producer looks back on what it took to get Newhart to star on the CBS comedy.

“For years I begged Bob to appear on one of my shows.  He always said no.  But then he fell in love with The Big Bang Theory and said yes – with two provisions.  One: his character had to have an arc that spanned several episodes.  And two:  he wanted to win an Emmy.  We delivered on both.  I got to work with a comedy legend. A master of the craft, and a kind and gentle man.  I even got to call him a friend.  How lucky am I?”

More to come…