‘NCIS’ executive producer Gary Glasberg is pushing for Bob Newhart to win his first Emmy for his portrayal of Dr. Walter Magnus last season on the hit police drama, TVGuide is reporting. While casting Dr. Magnus, the former NCIS medical examiner who trained David McCallum’s Ducky, Glasberg thought that Newhart would be perfect for the role. But he initially thought he wouldn’t be able to get the actor.
However, Newhart’s wife Virginia Quinn is a huge fan of ‘NCIS,’ which prompted him to read the script. Glasberg said the actor responded to the script and was entertaining.
Glasberg felt the role showed Newhart’s talent, as it was revealed Dr. Magnus is battling Alzheimer’s disease. “My experience has been any time you can give a really talented comedic actor an opportunity to do some dram, they very often deliver.” The producer added that he knew the actor “had done some dramatic parts before, and we just sot of instinctively knew this would work. This was an opportunity to see a different side of him and his real acting talent.”
When Newhart was on the set, Glasberg said they allowed him to bring some of his trademark style into the character. “His comedic timing is so specific to him that dialogue took on a whole new life when it was put in his hands.”
Glasberg also said that while ‘NCIS’ star Mark Harmon was filming with Newhart, he said his co-star “needs to be recognized for this. This is really special…If ‘NCIS’ can give him some recognition through an Emmy nomination, we would be honored and thrilled to be able to provide that.”
Written by: Karen Benardello
