LOS ANGELES — Bob Newhart, the beloved deadpan comedian who transformed from an accountant to one of television’s most iconic stars, has died at 94. <br /><br />Publicist Jerry Digney confirmed that Newhart passed away Thursday in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses.<br /><br />Newhart, who gained national fame with his 1960 Grammy-winning comedy album "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart," was best known for his starring roles in two hit television shows, "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart," during the 1970s and 1980s.<br /><br />Unlike his contemporaries, Newhart’s comedic style was characterized by a hesitant, almost stammering delivery. His routines often involved pretending to have conversations over the telephone, a technique that became his trademark. Memorable skits include the hilarious "Merchandising the Wright Brothers" and the iconic "Madison Avenue image-maker advising Abraham Lincoln."
