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.

Publicist Jerry Digney confirmed that Newhart passed away Thursday in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses.

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.

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."