NEW YORK, United States (AFP)— Bob Newhart, the American stand-up performer whose comedy made him one of the top TV stars of his era, has died, his publicist announced Thursday. He was 94 years old.

The decorated Chicago icon was an accountant before striking gold with comedy, acclaimed for his dry, deadpan delivery.

He died at his Los Angeles home after a series of short illnesses, his longtime publicist Jerry Digney said in a statement.

Born September 5, 1929 in suburban Illinois, Newhart studied business management before being drafted into the US army, and served in the Korean War.

He briefly studied law before quitting and getting work as an accountant while moonlighting as a comedy performer and writer.

He eventually was signed to Warner Bros. Records, and “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” became the music industry’s first comedy album to hit the top of the sales charts.

It earned him prestigious Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Album, and helped launch his career in television.

He starred in two long-running sitcoms in the 1970s and 1980s, and made guest star appearances into his 90s.

Newhart featured as a recurring guest on “The Big Bang Theory,” and also starred as Papa Elf in the Christmas film “Elf.”