Bob Einstein Dies; Comedy Loses a Brilliant and Unforgettable Voice
Whether you were a gigantic fan of Super Dave Osborne, Marty Funkhouser or both was a generational thing, but the same man created both characters and many others. Bob Einstein was the son of a great comic (Harry Einstein), and the brother of another comic legend (Albert Brooks). Genius runs deep in the Einstein family.
Bob got his comedy start writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and won an Emmy for the show. In addition to playing the Super Dave Osborne character he created, and playing Funkhouser on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Marty also had memorable appearances on The Jon Byner Hour, Arrested Development, Crank Yankers, The Man Show, Oceans 13, The Life and Times of Tim, and Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. And a completely unforgettable cameo in Robert Brooks Modern Romance as a sneaker salesman.
One of the funniest people who ever lived, from one of the funniest families on the face of the planet, Bob Einstein was 76.
Here are reactions from other comedy greats, along with some video people posted that will make you laugh.
R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 2, 2019
Thanks for sending! RT @JimLNeibaur: Harry Einstein (Parkyakarkus), George Jessel, Jack Benny, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Fisher, and George Raft at The Friars Club. Tagging @AlbertBrooks. Great pic of his dad Harry and some other greats of long ago. pic.twitter.com/5tvlrrmkfZ
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) May 7, 2018
I'm retweeting this because my brother was so funny in this scene.https://t.co/euDsm8WQ2l
Also, if you'd like to leave any comments for his family you can do it herehttps://t.co/0y56kJHk2W— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 3, 2019
I’m in shock.
I knew him forever. ♥️to his loved ones. His long career is hard to match. His role on #curbyourenthusiasm was excruciatingly brilliant! Our cast and crew will be devastated.
He was so loved. He told me how much he loved LD and Curb. RIP buddy. @HBO pic.twitter.com/G8f5PoffuF— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) January 2, 2019
We lost a friend today. ♥️ thanks for all of the laughs on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Our love to Bob’s family. #BobEinstein #SuperDave. The comedy world will miss you. pic.twitter.com/aLIjq8LoVP
— Cheryl Hines (@CherylHines) January 2, 2019
It's always sad when a comedian gets old and isn't funny anymore. Few avoid this. But what if there was a comedian who not only didn't lose it, but instead became funnier everyday, every day until his last. There was one. And now there is not. Bob Einstein is gone. I loved him.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) January 2, 2019
Very sorry to hear this. A great deadpan comic actor and a nice guy. https://t.co/KsYnvHXsiy
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) January 2, 2019
Thank you Bob Einstein (Super Dave Osborn) for all the great laughs. Deepest condolences to brother Albert Brooks and the Einstein/Brooks families.
— Rick Overton (@rickoverton) January 2, 2019
Mean Gene Okerlund and Bob Einstein? Sad day for wrestling, comedy, and humanity. RIP you amazing humans. You’re an asshole 2019 pic.twitter.com/MlDLL053Eo
— Brad Williams (@funnybrad) January 2, 2019
Very sad news about the brilliantly funny Bob Einstein. I first saw him in "Modern Romance" and was hooked. Love and healing thoughts to @AlbertBrooks and his family.
"I misjudged you, I"m not perfect."— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) January 2, 2019
#BobEinstein. What a mind! What a great friend. Brilliantly funny always. We started together on the Smothers Brothers
Loved every moment working with him on Curb. He was one of a kind.
Great loss to the comedy world. We will all miss him so. #RIP— David Steinberg (@david_steinberg) January 2, 2019
The scene with you two in MODERN ROMANCE always wrecks me. “I’m not perfect.” RIP to a comedy genius and a slow-burn god. https://t.co/ftD2oB9yS9
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 2, 2019
Whenever Bob Einstein was on Letterman as “Super Dave” it was un-missable. No one was more confident with the long payoff. A genius panel guest. Look how excited Dave is to have him on: https://t.co/WELSE0ZH8B
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 2, 2019
His name was Bob Einstein, but we all called him Supe. Super Dave was a great friend and the master of a joke you could see coming for miles that still killed when it arrived. I will miss him https://t.co/JRkMp8XkCJ
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 2, 2019
Oh no, Super! Bob Einstein’s character, Super Dave Osbourne, was so embedded that we all called him Super. Except for his grandkids, who called him Grandpa Super. I will miss his brilliant comedy and vice-like hugs.
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 2, 2019
@AlbertBrooks My deepest sympathies to you and Bob’s entire family. I loved your brother and had some truly fun and hilarious times with him. So sorry for your loss of the wonderful Bob Einstein.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) January 2, 2019
RIP Bob Einstein… check out @ComedyBangBang S04E19 to see him on a episode where he cracked us all up the entire day! Then check out his scene in Modern Romance. Legend https://t.co/0KhpKaMXRQ
— Scott Aukerman (@ScottAukerman) January 2, 2019
Every now again, a guest comes on my podcast where I sit back and let them grab the reins. Bob Einstein was definitely one of those. RIP Bob Einstein aka Marty Funkhouser, Super Dave. Listen here: https://t.co/qkYyoLdJ8T
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) January 2, 2019
R.I.P. the great Super Dave Osborne.
— eddie pepitone (@eddiepepitone) January 2, 2019
RIP Super Dave and Mean Gene. Thinking maybe I better stay inside today.
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) January 2, 2019
So sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace Super Dave. https://t.co/YMeQiUOxz6
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) January 2, 2019
Very sad. Got to work with him on #Curb. Had heard he was sick. Will never forget him telling @jerryseinfeld the dirty joke about the newlyweds. https://t.co/9Ch81VRHV5 via @deadline
— David Mandel (@DavidHMandel) January 2, 2019
I’m sorry Lewis this really sucks to hear. A truly talented and very funny fella. https://t.co/WDhfku4rDC
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) January 2, 2019
RIP Bob Einstein. Honestly, one of the best comedians that ever lived. One of my favorite scenes in movie history is the scene where Bob tries to upsell Albert Brooks in MODERN ROMANCE. It’s wonderful. He was wonderful. https://t.co/U9B9AqreaE
— Sean O'Connor (@seanoconnz) January 2, 2019
One of the first comedians I met when I got to L.A.
May he rest in peace: https://t.co/oM2ctXFKRe— Marsha Warfield (@MarshaWarfield) January 2, 2019
We are saddened to learn that Emmy-winning actor and writer Bob Einstein, who starred on HBO’s ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,' on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and as Super Dave Osborne, has passed away at the age of 76. https://t.co/B1x2zwfTt9 pic.twitter.com/jq6t2o9lkK
— NationalComedyCenter (@NtlComedyCenter) January 2, 2019
THE BOB EINSTEIN SUPER INTELLIGENT. FIRST TIME I SEE THE SUPER DAVE I THINK HE WAS SHOOTING. RIP BUBBA FUNKHOUSER pic.twitter.com/Agm9YtQbyH
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/NellSco/status/1080617737720946688
RIP Bob Einstein. A very funny man.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) January 2, 2019
RIP Bob “Super Dave Osborne” Einstein, from Bizarre to Super Dave to Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development you provided hours of joy that will be missed.
— K Trevor Wilson (@KTrevorWilson) January 2, 2019
As a performer who regularly injures himself for laughs Super Dave is and always will be an inspiration. https://t.co/MR6CC9i2fi
— Taco Belle and Sebastian™ (@TimDuffy) January 2, 2019
We lost Mean Gene and Super Dave today. Two huge comedic influences. #RestInPeace Tough start to 2019.
— Steven BRODY Stevens (@BrodyismeFriend) January 2, 2019
RIP Bob Einstein. One of my favorite scenes ever: https://t.co/BfrZBmzpxd
— Sam Morril (@sammorril) January 2, 2019
What a funny, funny man. So sad https://t.co/3UP7S3aEmH
— Mike Ward (@MikeWardca) January 2, 2019
Rest n Peace Bob Einstein. Had the honor of working with you. Loved your wit, charm, n subversive humour. Your spirit will be missed in this world. ??
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) January 2, 2019
More sad news as another legend has passed. My Dad used to let me watch BIZARRE & I was always so excited for Super Dave Osborne's Segments. My TV dad, Larry David, had hilarious scenes with Marty Funkhouser in Curb. We even interviewed him back around 2010. RIP Bob Einstein ? pic.twitter.com/TSGWzxVpP3
— Todd M Shapiro (@iamToddyTickles) January 2, 2019
1968. Steve Martin, David Steinberg, Bob Einstein, and Carl Gottlieb. pic.twitter.com/FaWa4u8UYW
— Kliph Nesteroff (@ClassicShowbiz) January 2, 2019
RIP Bob Einstein.
(I’m not sure who to give the video rights too, but this is from Super Dave) pic.twitter.com/iooS7AFBSy
— Eric Lentz (@ericlentz_) January 2, 2019
If you grew up in the late '80s/early '90s, Bob Einstein's Super Dave Osborne and his over-the-top physical comedy was the stuff of genius, even if you didn't know who Evel Knievel was.
Marty Funkhauser was great, but he'll always be Super Dave to me. RIP. pic.twitter.com/FLloXhs7i1
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) January 2, 2019
R.I.P. Stewart Robert Einstein also known as stuntman 'Super Dave Osborne'
Here's a clip of his first stunt pic.twitter.com/As8RSl1ymW
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 2, 2019
RIP Bob Einstein AKA Super Dave Osborne….the Marty Funkhouser joke in Curb still makes me laugh incredibly hard no matter how many times I've heard it. Perfect delivery. pic.twitter.com/vAchuwcSoj
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) January 2, 2019