Suzanne Pleshette, best known for her role as Bob Newhart's wife Emily on "The Bob Newhart Show,'' died yesterday at her home in Los Angeles from respiratory failure. She was 70.
She was part of one of the most memorable moments in television :
In 1990, Pleshette reprised that role in Bob Newhart's second television series, "Newhart,'' in which he played a Vermont innkeeper. Pleshette appeared in the last scene of the series' last episode.
The ending, called one of the five most memorable moments in TV history by TV Guide, was suggested by Newhart's real-life wife. In the scene, Newhart awakens in bed with a woman. It's not immediately apparent to viewers, but he's playing Bob Hartley, his former psychologist character.
"Honey, honey, wake up,'' he says. "You won't believe the dream I just had.''
The light turns on and instead of it being Mary Frann -- his wife in the second series -- it's Pleshette in her role as his wife from the first sitcom.
"I was an innkeeper in this crazy little town in Vermont,'' he says. "The maid was an heiress; her husband talked in alliteration; the handyman kept missing the point of things; and then there were these three woodsmen.''
"That settles it. No more Japanese food before you go to bed,'' Pleshette answers.
Suzanne Pleshette was just a joy to watch, she was at ease with comedy as well as drama. In 1991 Pleshette received an Emmy nomination for her role as real estate developer Leona Helmsley. She also was nominated in 1977 and 1978 for her role as Emily Hartley, and in 1962 received an Emmy nomination for an appearance on TV's "Dr. Kildare.''
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