Summary
Bluey's Grandpa Bob has only made one true appearance in the show, leading to speculation about his whereabouts and whether he is still alive.
Series creator Joe Brumm has confirmed the survival of Grandpa Bob. To introduce more of Chili's side of the family, many of the storylines revolving around the grandfather have been assigned to Mort, Chili's father. The reasons for Grandpa Bob's absence may potentially be addressed in upcoming episodes.
Although many members of the extended Heeler family make appearances throughout the popular cartoon Bluey, there is one family member who has been noticeably absent. Grandpa Bob, the husband of Nana Heeler and father to Bandit, has only made one actual appearance in the show. While he can be seen in various pictures, Grandpa Bob was only featured in the season 1 episode "Grannies," where he and Nana Heeler learned the "floss" dance from Bluey through a video chat.
It wouldn't be as surprising for Grandpa Bob to not appear on the show if his wife, Nana Heeler, was not frequently present. However, there have been several instances in Bluey where Nana Heeler has been seen while Grandpa Bob is nowhere to be found. For instance, Nana Heeler plays a significant role in Bingo's birthday party, but Grandpa Bob is mysteriously absent. This has led to speculations that Grandpa Bob may have passed away since his appearance in the first season of Bluey.
Bluey's Grandpa Bob Is Alive
Grandpa Bob's Storylines Were Given To Another Character
The internet is rife with speculations regarding the existence of Grandpa Bob, with numerous theories circulating. However, Joe Brumm, the mastermind behind the Bluey series, conclusively addressed this matter in 2021. In a recent appearance on the Bluey podcast Gotta Be Done, Brumm unequivocally affirmed that Grandpa Bob is, indeed, alive. Furthermore, he made a pledge during that time that Grandpa Bob would make an appearance in season 3, providing undeniable "proof of life." Fortunately, Brumm's promise was fulfilled, albeit in a rather peculiar manner. In a captivating flashback sequence showcasing Bandit and his siblings, Stripe and Rad, during their childhood vacation, Grandpa Bob appears as his younger self.
During the Gotta Be Done podcast interview, Joe Brumm clarified that rather than focusing on Chili's grandfather, the character of Mort, Chili's dad, took on many of the grandfather-centric storylines. Described as a widower and a former military man, Mort is the primary recurring member of Chili's family in the show. Brumm further explained that this creative decision was made to shed more light on Chili's side of the family, which is notably smaller compared to Bandit's side.
Chili's sister, who had been distanced from her, made her debut in season 3 of the show. As the series has advanced, additional relatives from both sides of Bluey's family have been unveiled. The likelihood of Grandpa Bob making a comeback in Bluey season 4 is quite high, and it is expected that an explanation for his prior absence would be provided alongside his reappearance.