 And yes, the legendary Bob Newhart died yesterday. He was 94. In addition to his sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart is probably best known for playing Will Ferrell's Papa Elf in Elf. He was a legend. He died at his Los Angeles home after a series of short illnesses. He was 94. He was the king of what they called deadpan comedy over a career that spanned more than six decades.