But not just any ghost, of course. Newhart, who played Arthur Jeffries (i.e. “Professor Proton”), the host of a old science TV show and Sheldon’s childhood hero, will appear in Sheldon’s dream as a “ghostly Jedi.”
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Jeffries will help Sheldon (played by Emmy-winning actor Jim Parsons) come to terms with his feelings and make an important life decision. Will it be with regards to his work? His living situation? His now ended relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Newhart has already appeared in three episodes of Big Bang, first in the sixth season, which aired in 2013, and in two episodes in season seven. His character was often annoyed by Sheldon’s affections and quirks, but enamored, in a way, at how Sheldon so worshipped a man like him who had essentially become a nobody decades later. His death was also a subject of discussion on an episode. For his first appearance, Newhart earned a Primetime Emmy Award.
Newhart is no stranger to CBS: the network also aired Newhart’s two successful comedy series, The Bob Newhart Show, which aired in the ‘70s, and Newhart, which ran from 1982-1990. The actor, now in his late 80s, has been relatively quiet on the acting scene as of the last decade, taking on only small guest roles, such as in the TV series The Librarians, Hot in Cleveland, and even a role in the movie Horrible Bosses.
The Big Bang Theory airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. on CBS. The show is currently in its ninth season.
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