Newhart' sidekick Tom Poston dies

[bluestateguy]

Source: AP

LOS ANGELES - Tom Poston, the tall, pasty-faced comic who found fame and fortune playing a clueless everyman on such hit television shows as "Newhart" and "Mork and Mindy," has died. He was 85.

Poston, who was married to Suzanne Pleshette of "The Bob Newhart Show," died Monday night at home after a brief illness, a family representative, Tanner Gibson, said Tuesday. The nature of his illness was not disclosed.

Bob Newhart remembered Poston as a "versatile and veteran performer and a kindhearted individual."

"Tom was always the `go-to guy' on `Newhart' in addition to being a good and longtime friend," Newhart said in a statement Tuesday.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070501/ap_en_tv/obit_poston

[Duer 157099]

1. Awww. Thanks for all the smiles Tom, RIP. n/t

[Cha]

2. Aw..such a cutie.

I remember reading Tom Poston got married to Suzanne Pleshette a few years ago.

[Richardo]

3. Aw man.

:(

RIP Tom - you were hilarious.

[Lobster Martini]

4. Darn...bad week for nice guys

First Tommy Newsome and now Tom Poston. The world is a little less funny, and a little less genial.

[Glorfindel]

5. Gee, I hate to hear that...I remember him from Steve Allen's show

many, many years ago when Steve would do the "man-in-the-street" interviews. Tom Poston could never remember his name, Don Knotts denied being nervous, and Louis Nye was like, "Hi-ho, Steverino!" They don't make them like that any more. Rest in peace, Mr. Poston. ;(

[Kolesar]

28. Was Don Knotts playing the acrobat...retired?

[liberal N proud]

6. He was always funny

RIP!

[Daphne08]

7. RIP, Tom.

You were a truly kind man.

[KittyWampus]

8. What a great read that bio was. Poston was an acrobat w/ Flying Zepleys!

"One role called for him to engage in a duel, fall 10 feet, roll across the stage and vanish into the orchestra pit. Other actors had auditioned and failed but Poston, who in his youth had been an acrobat with the Flying Zepleys, did the stunt perfectly."

[Rowdyboy]

9. He made me laugh so many times.....

Thanks, sir, for the memories....

[Norrin Radd]

10. Peace to you.

Thanks for the making everyone laugh.

[madrchsod]

11. another good man has left this earth

he brought joy to millions of people though out his life...

[libnnc]

12. Aw how sad! He and Pleshette hadn't been married that long I don't think

That really makes me sad. He was a wonderful actor and sidekick for Newhart. Thankfully, I have the Bob Newhart Show VHS set. I might have to watch the "Peeper" episode this week. Funny as hell.

My sincere condolences to Suzanne Pleshette. I've always had a huge crush on her.

[Lars39]

39. I'm glad you mentioned his marriage; I hadn't heard about it before.

[hyphenate]

13. Good night, Tom!

You've always made me smile!

I saw him not that long ago in one of those "shyster" type roles that he did so well. It's hard to think we won't be seeing another new performance from him!

[BEZERKO]

14. There is nothing better than a good belly laugh, and

Tom Poston gave me a lot of those. He was also, if I remember correctly, he appeared a few times on Steve Allen's show in "man on the street" bits, and on "Your Show of Shows." Funny guy.

[Purveyor]

15. My first memories of Tom was on 'To Tell The Truth'. Kitty Carlisle too just passed. eom

[Snellius]

16. I remember him on the old Steve Allen Show

Allen used to do these bogus "man on the street" interviews with Tom Poston, Louie Nye, and Don Knotts. Some of the funniest stuff ever on TV.

Rest in Peace and Laughter, Mr. Poston.

[eppur_se_muova]

17. RIP, Tom, you made us laugh while you were here.

I loved the episode of "Newhart" when George Utley (Poston), Loudon's (Newhart's) handyman, joined in the "Pick On Dick!" segment on Don Rickles' show.

For the last few years, I've felt a frequent longing to hear a crowd chanting "Pick on Dick! Pick on Dick!".:evilgrin:

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. Aw.. I loved him on Newhart and I recently saw him on

a rerun of Dharma and Greg

[RC]

19. Picture

[newscott]

20. Highly underrated. Loved his work with Newhart.

RIP.

[colorado_ufo]

21. Rest in peace, Tom - we loved you!

[Raine]

22. Sad news

R-I-P Tom.

[brentspeak]

23. He was a funny guy. RIP, Tom.

[lapfog_1]

24. Thanks everyone...

and special thanks to Keith Olberman for giving Tom a nice obituary.

Tom was my second cousin (my fathers cousin... and a dead ringer for my late father).

I got the call only this morning from my sister.

[LisaM]

25. Goodbye to the Peeper

I think I liked him best on "Newhart" - but the Peeper was pretty funny.

[Kolesar]

27. So tell me Bob, how did you get the nickname "the Mooner"???

:rofl:

[LisaM]

29. I hope at the very least Nick or TVLand shows some old episodes

The only good thing when Don Knotts died was a spate of Andy Griffith episodes.

[Kolesar]

30. You're supposed to say "Moon Mullins", the comic strip character

[tabasco]

26. My late Mom took me to one of his Broadway plays. He was terrific.

He was a truly talented actor and seemed like a very nice guy.

Rest in peace, Mr. Poston.

[JanusAscending]

33. Hey, me too!!

My late Mom took me to the city every summer for a week's vacation. I must have been all of 5 yrs. old when we met him coming out of the theater. My Mom loved him for ever after that, because after telling her what a beautiful child she had, he said "just like her beautiful Mother", and winked at her. She was so flattered by that! Funny thing is, when she was younger she looked just like Suzanne Pleshette. I guess he liked that type right up 'til the end!!! We will miss you Tom, and your good clean humor, and your TIMING was impeccable!! RIP, and say hi to my Mom for me

[tabasco]

36. My Mom took me on a trip when I was 11.

A bus trip from the mountains of Maryland. She wanted to expose me to some culture. We also saw a symphony conducted by Leonard Bernstein. I have loved classical music ever since.

We saw Poston in "40 Carats" I believe. Zsa Zsa was supposed to be in it but it was her understudy. Tom Poston was very funny in the play and definitely the highlight of the show.

:hi:

[JanusAscending]

42. If I'm not mistaken,

we saw him in "High Button Shoes" with Nanette Fabray, and Phil Silvers.

[crossroads]

31. RIP Tom

[Vidar]

32. RIP, Tom. Thanks for the laughter.

[CreekDog]

34. The other side is getting funnier and this side getting duller

RIP, your humor was ahead of your time. :)

[StarryNite]

35. Very sad

:cry:

[mikeytherat]

37. RIP, Capital City Goofball

mikey_the_rat

[TheCentepedeShoes]

38. Moo Goo Gai Pan

Much Moo Goo Gai Pan. That the "Bob" episode I think of when I think of Tom Poston. Emily goes out of town and Bob, Howard, Mr Carlin and the Peeper get together at the apt to watch a game on TV (basketball I think). They all get drunk on some homemade stuff that (I think) the Peeper brought along and decide to order Chinese. Emily comes home early just as the delivery guy shows up with a handtruck (or two) of little white boxes. Jeeze, Tom's gonna be missed.

[Isere]

40. Bob Newhart show ....

one of the oldies, but one of the best goodies! I wish they would rerun it more often!
Poston was a valued member of the cast and I remember him well. Didn't know he and Suzanne Pleshette had married in 2001, but it made me smile when I read it.

[ProudDad]

41. I've loved that guy and his performances since

the GREAT Steve Allen show.

RIP Tom...


http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-poston2may02,1,2656346.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california