Suzanne Pleshette news about death at age 70 - Today's News: Our Take

Suzanne Pleshette by Jim Spellman/WireImage.com

Truly a sad weekend for classic television. Suzanne Pleshette, who was best known for her role as Bob Newhart's wife on television's long-running The Bob Newhart Show, died on Saturday of respiratory failure. She was 70.

Pleshette began her career as a stage actress and met her future husband, Tom Poston, when they appeared on Broadway in the 1959 comedy The Golden Fleecing — though they wouldn't marry until 40 years (and some previous marriages) later. Poston himself passed away in April 2007, not long after his wife Pleshette underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer.

Pleshette's film career included Jerry Lewis' The Geisha Boy, The Birds and The Ugly Daschund, while her TV appearances included Have Gun, Will Travel, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and, most recently, 8 Simple Rules and Will & Grace.

Pleshette famously reprised her role of Newhart's on-screen wife for the finale of Newhart, in which the entire country inn-set series was revealed to have been a crazy dream.

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Posted by

Matt Webb Mitovich

Jan 20, 2008 11:43 AM

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So sad she was always one of my favorites. They don't make them like her anymore. She will be missed.
Posted by nyjoey77 Jan 20, 2008 12:07 PM Report Abuse

I grew up on this show. So sad but thankfully we can enjoy The Bob Newhart Show if and when TV Land comes to their senses and starts airing this true classic again.
Posted by Rappin' Rev Jan 20, 2008 12:39 PM Report Abuse

Don't forget all those Disney pictures she made - Bullwhip Griffin, The Shaggy D.A. and of course my favorite The Ugly Daschund. She was a beautiful lady and from what I heard she seemed to have alot in common with Carol Lombard. They both were a favorite with all the crew on their movies and both had a mouth like a trucker. Hope whe is in heaven with Tom.
Posted by Ratings Jan 20, 2008 12:46 PM Report Abuse

I figured when Tom died last year (while she was battling lung cancer), that this might happen soon. So sad. It's great that they found love with each other again after all those years and that they were able to spend their last years together. It was nice to think of them as being happy together after so many years of happiness they brought us.
Posted by TV Gord Jan 20, 2008 1:29 PM Report Abuse

So sorry to hear about this loss! I'll never forget tuning in to see the final episode of The Bob Newhart Show and seeing the twist ending. That set the standard for all surprise endings! She will be missed.
Posted by tazzy Jan 20, 2008 2:19 PM Report Abuse

That's very sad; 70 was too young. I loved her in Support Your Local Gunfighter and Blackbeard's Ghost. My sympathies to her family.
Posted by sfoster1 Jan 20, 2008 2:21 PM Report Abuse

A truly sad day for all fans of such a great and wonderful actress. She set the bar for all others with her various roles--from drama to comedy. Condolences to her family and fans.
Posted by PatMc Jan 20, 2008 3:12 PM Report Abuse

And yes, TV Land please come to your senses!!!
Posted by Mr. Furley Jan 20, 2008 3:42 PM Report Abuse

She was a class act and will be missed greatly!
Posted by Erinsmom Jan 20, 2008 4:14 PM Report Abuse

Emily Hartley was one of the first, if not the first, of the hot/snarky wife married to the "schlubby" husband that we get now almost all the time on TV sitcom(okay Alice Kramden came first but she wasn't really a modern woman). Very much a model for the wives on shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens and countless other sitcoms.
Posted by Buffy Freak Jan 20, 2008 4:30 PM Report Abuse

Excellent observation, Buffy Freak! - MWM
Posted by TV Guide News Jan 20, 2008 4:47 PM Report Abuse

Well you inspire me Matt!
Posted by Buffy Freak Jan 20, 2008 5:03 PM Report Abuse

Yes, I agree, what another great loss ! We're getting too many lately. One of my favorite memories of her is her character/performance as "Annie" in the great 1963 "The Birds" with Rod Taylor and Tippi Hedren (both alive and both 78 years young) and the late but great Jessica Tandy. Suzanne was an absolutely beautiful woman and a great actress. RIP
Posted by Uneed2getashoe Jan 20, 2008 5:39 PM Report Abuse

How sad! She was one of my favorites. She was so sharp and natural as Emily.

She could hilariously put someone in their place with a one-sentence zinger (great writers!) or even just a raised eyebrow.

Buffy Freak, that was a great observation about her being the prototype for some of today's hot, snarky TV wives with schlubby husbands!

A little trivia: Pleshette was the first choice to play Catwoman on the Batman TV series, but negotiations fell through. That would have been interesting to see.

Also, her cousin was John Pleshette, who played squirrelly Richard Avery on Knots Landing.

Posted by Chappy Quiddick

Jan 20, 2008 6:08 PM

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Suzanne Pleshette (Bob Newhart Show) Dead at 70