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The antics of lovable Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon, his wife Joanna, and the surrounding town of oddballs kept us entertained throughout the 1980s. And who could forget the infamous last episode? Click through to see what the cast of 'Newhart' is up to today.![Bob_Newhart_Then]()
‘Newhart’ was the second of three TV shows named after Bob Newhart, the legendary Irish Catholic comedian. Bob grew up in a close-knit Chicago family, with three sisters, one of whom became a nun. After college, he worked as an accountant but quickly gained recognition for his stand-up comedy routine. Before long, he became a sensation, appearing on TV shows and in movies. Bob had already starred in the 1970's sitcom ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ before appearing in ‘Newhart,’ the second of his three shows. His personality and comic presence were the show’s heart and soul.![Bob_Newhart_Now]()
After ‘Newhart’ ended, Bob appeared in a number of other TV show episodes and starred in one more show, ‘Bob’ (1992-1993). He’s kept busy since with roles in films like ‘Elf’ and the made-for-TV ‘Librarian’ series. Bob has been happily married to Virginia ‘Ginnie’ Quinn since 1963. They have four grown children and several grandchildren.![Mary_Frann_Then]()
Mary Frann started out as a child model. At age 18, she won the America’s ‘Junior Miss’ pageant, earning her a college scholarship that led to studying drama at Northwestern University. Mary appeared on dozens of TV shows before landing her big break as Joanna Loudon, wife of Bob Newhart’s character on ‘Newhart.’![Mary Frann (1943 - 1998)]()
Joanna Loudon turned out to be Mary’s most memorable role. She appeared in a few other TV episodes and co-hosted the 1986 and 1987 Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. In 1998, Mary died of a heart attack in her sleep at age 55.![Tom_Poston_Then_1]()
Tom served as an Air Force pilot in World War II, including during the D-Day Normandy invasion. After his discharge, he came to New York City to study acting. Tom first gained recognition for his comic role on ‘The Steve Allen Show.’ He became good friends with Bob Newhart, appearing with him on ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ as a frequent guest star. The pair worked together for their hilarious roles in ‘Newhart.’![Tom Poston (1921 - 2007)]()
Tom was nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work in ‘Newhart.’ After ‘Newhart,’ Tom appeared in dozens of TV episodes, several films, and in a St. Louis production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Tom married three times and had three children. He died in 2007, outlived by his third wife, Suzanne Pleshette.![Julia_Duffy_Then_1]()
Julia originally hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She moved to New York City to study acting as a young woman and got her acting start on shows like ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘Love of Life.’ Julia’s role as spoiled-rich-girl-turned-maid Stephanie Vanderkellen on ‘Newhart’ was her big break, her first major acting role.![Julia_Duffy_Now]()
Julia has appeared in dozens of TV episodes and a string of movies since ‘Newhart,’ but Stephanie Vanderkellen remains the role for which she is best known. Julia has been married to Jerry Lacy, her co-star on ‘Love of Life,’ since 1984. They have two children, Kerry Kathleen and Danny.![Peter_Scolari_Then_1]()
Peter got his start acting alongside Tom Hanks on the ‘Bosom Buddies’ show. He appeared in a number of TV shows and films before playing TV show host Michael Harris on ‘Newhart,’ who marries Julia Duffy's character Stephanie Vanderkellen.![Peter_Scolari_Now_1]()
Peter has appeared in a range of television shows and movies since ‘Newhart’ and has even appeared in several Broadway and off-Broadway shows. He married his second wife Cathy Trien in 1998, whom he met while the two were working on a production of ‘Grease’ in 1996.![William_Sanderson_Then_1]()
William started acting in college, as a student at the University of Memphis. He appeared on Broadway and in scores of episodes on a variety of TV shows before being cast as Larry, the backwoodsman with two brothers named Darryl, on ‘Newhart.’![William_Sanderson_Now_1]()
Since ‘Newhart,’ William has kept busy with film and TV appearances. Currently he can be seen playing Sheriff Bud Dearborne on ‘True Blood.’ William has been married to his wife Sharon since 1993. They have one adult son, Andrew.Then/Now: The Cast of 'Newhart'
The Stratford Inn in Vermont may only have existed in Bob Newhart's dreams, but throughout the 1980s it was on of TV's favorite B&B's.
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- Then/Now: The Cast of 'Newhart'
