After 51 years, Bob Newhart has finally won an Emmy. Entertainment Weekly reports that after seven nominations, the 84-year-old comedian and actor won the award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest appearane on CBS's "The Big Bang Theory." Newhart has been nominated seven times previously, with his first being a writing nomination for "The Bob Newhart Show" in 1962. 

Newhart was presented the award last night at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmys, which mainly honors the behind-the-scenes aspects of TV but includes the guest actor in a drama and comedy awards. The "Newhart Show" and "Newhart" star received a standing ovation at the L.A. Nokia Theatre last night, EW reports, as he tearfully and humbly accepted his long-awaited trophy.

During his speech, he thanked his wife of 50 years, his four children, and his fellow "Big Bang Theory" cast members, including Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons. 

When asked backstage how he never managed to win an Emmy for so many years, Newhart replied, "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 portrayed Professor Proton in a May episode of the hit CBS sitcom, the host of Leonard and Sheldon's favorite science program from childhood. He is set to make another appearance during the upcoming season. 

Other winners during last night's awards ceremony included Carrie Preston ("True Blood") for her guest role on "The Good Wife," Dan Bucatinsky for his guest role on "Scandal," and Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn as hosts on "Project Runway." HBO's Liberace biopic "Behind the Candelabra," took home the most awards of the night with eight.

The Primetime Creative Emmy Awards will air at 9 p.m. ET on FXX Sept. 21, a day before Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother") hosts the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will air on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.