Bob Newhart died of a broken heart after his wife passed away

Bob leaves behind a beloved legacy, including his own roll in the Christmas movie Eleven and sitcom The Big Bang Theory, but his career successes date back decades.

The Chicago native worked as an accountant before rising to fame on the American comedy scene, gaining recognition for his dry delivery and observational humor.

His debut live comedy album, The button-down spirit of Bob Newhart, launched him to stardom in 1960 when it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mono Action Albums chart and earned him his first Grammy. His second album, The button-down spirit strikes back! was also well received, winning Newhart two more Grammys and joining his first release at the top of the Billboard chart.

He went on to dominate the Chicago television scene, playing clinical psychologist Bob Hartley in the hugely successful series The Bob Newhart Show, which ran from 1972 to 1978. The role established the actor as a TV comedy regular when he returned to the small screen in 1982 as Dick Loudon in Nieuwhartwhich aired until 1990.

The actor has appeared in hit shows including ER, Desperate housewives, NCISAnd Young Sheldonand his film credits include Legally blonde And Terrible bosses.