The Big Bang Theory: 10 Best Characters Who Appeared After Season 1
5. Arthur Jeffries
The legendary Bob Newhart finally won an Emmy for his recurring role as children’s edu-tainer Arthur Jeffries, a.k.a Professor Proton. He was high on executive producer Chuck Lorre’s list of dream guests, and it’s clear that a great deal of effort was put in to ensure that the role was worthy of Newhart’s immense talents.
Jeffries is a casualty of his own success; after obtaining his PHD he went into kids’ entertainment as a TV scientist, but following the cancellation of his show, he could find acceptance neither in Hollywood nor academia.
This leads to Sheldon and Leonard hiring his services, where the former’s uncontrollable exuberance - having worshipped Professor Proton from his youth - makes the old man deeply uncomfortable.
After Jeffries’ death, he appears to Sheldon in a ghostly Obi-Wan role. Newhart’s deadpan delivery meshes perfectly with Jim Parsons’ jittery delivery, and the character’s appearances - usually once a season - could often produce some of the show’s best episodes.