The legend of Bob Newhart, who died on Thursday at 94, holds that he was once just an ordinary Chicago accountant who honed a stand-up act in his spare time. Overnight, the story goes — almost accidentally — he became a Grammy-winning sensation with his debut album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” a collection of one-man sketches in which he play-acts one half of funny conversations. Newhart worked in advertising for longer than he did in accounting; and his showbiz ambitions were never just an afterthought. He then played variations on his stand-up character in two hit sitcoms: “The Bob Newhart Show” through much of the ’70s and “Newhart,” which ran from 1982 to 1990. In doing his bits about ordinary schmoes in extraordinary situations — such as crossing paths with King Kong or consulting with Abe Lincoln — Newhart spoofs the language of American life.

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Persons: Bob Newhart, —, ”, Newhart, innately, Everyman, “ Newhart, King Kong, Abe Lincoln — Newhart Organizations: Apple, Amazon Prime Locations: Chicago