Bob Newhart has finally ended more than half a centuries wait by winning his first ever Emmy Award. The veteran comedian and entertainer was first nominated for the award in 1962 for his writing on The Bob Newhart Show, but it took a guest spot on The Big Bang Theory to finally secure him one of the coveted awards, with the Primetime Creative Arts Emmys on Sunday, 15 September celebrating his appearance on the sitcom with the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series award.

Bob Newhart Critics Choice
Newhart had to wait more than half a century since his first nomination for an Emmy

The Primetime Creative Arts Emmys airs a week before the main Emmy Awards, and usually celebrates the behind-the-scenes crew on TV as well as honouring guest actors. Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre served as the venue for the awards show, where a number of television's brightest stars had gathered to celebrate their achievements from the past year. They were also on hand to give Newhart a standing ovation when his name was read out as the winner of his award, an act that Newhart says he was "totally unprepared" for. In his acceptance speech he gave thanks to his wife of 50 years, his four children and the cast and crew of The Big Bang Theory, “who really threw themselves on the sword for me.”

“The best answer to that really is whenever I was nominated, there were better people in the category than me. That’s the truth. The best person wins. That’s the way it is,” Newhart humbly told reporters after the show, in response to why it had taken him so long to win an Emmy award.

The 84-year-old had previously been nominated for acting five other times; for a guest appearance on ER in 2004, the TV movie The Librarian III: The Curse of the Judas Chalice back in 2008, and three times for his role on the sitcom Newhart, between 1985 - 1987. He was nominated along with his writing team for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy for The Bob Newhart Show in 1962, but never received another writing nomination.

Newhart appeared on The Big Bang Theory back in May as Professor Proton, the star of Leonard and Sheldon’s favorite science show growing up. He re-enters their lives when they learn that Professor Proton can be hired for private functions, at which point they hire him so they can hang out together in their apartment. Newhart will be shooting another episode for the show in October this year, which will air as part of the current season of the show, however he refused to divulge on what might happen in his next episode at last night's awards.

The real deal; The 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, will be held next week and will air live on FXX on Saturday, 21 September, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Bob Newhart
He has previously won a Golden Globe, a Grammy and a host of other accolades