LOS ANGELES: Bob Newhart, among TV’s most enduring stars with shows stretching back more than five decades, wept as he finally captured his first Emmy Award.
Newhart, 84, was honored at Sunday’s creative arts Emmy ceremony for his guest role last season on “The Big Bang Theory” as Professor Proton, a down-on-his-luck former host of a children’s science show.
“This is my seventh shot at this. ... I just love this very much,” he said, gazing tearfully at the trophy in his hand as the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Newhart’s long TV history includes the 1970s “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Newhart” in the 1980s and “Bob” in the ‘90s and six previous nominations.
His 1961 variety series “The Bob Newhart Show” earned a writing bid.
Backstage, Newhart said at one point he’d given up submitting his name for Emmy consideration.
“I just felt the kind of stuff I do doesn’t win awards. I didn’t want to go through the process, the disappointment,” he said.
In addition to Newhart, other winners for guest turns included Melissa Leo for the sitcom “Louie” and, on the drama series side, Dan Bucatinsky for “Scandal” and Carrie Preston for “The Good Wife.”
