It's been 51 years in the making, but actor Bob Newhart has finally won an Emmy.

After several nominations, the 84-year-old actor was honored at Sunday's creative arts Emmy ceremony for his guest role last season on "The Big Bang Theory" as Professor Proton, a down-on-his-luck former host of a children's science show.

"This is my seventh shot at this," Newhart said.

The actor gazed tearfully at the trophy in his hand as the audience gave him a standing ovation, according to Entertainment Weely.

"I just love this very much," he said. 

In his speech, the actor thanked his wife of 50 years, his four children and "The Big Bang Theory" Cast.

"I was totally unprepared for that," he told press backstage on Sunday of seeing the crowd on their feet for him.

According to EW, the press asked the actor how he managed to leave the Emmy Awards without a statuette for so many years?

"The best answer to that really is whenever I was nominated, there were better people in the category than me," Newhart said. "That's the truth. The best person wins. That's the way it is."

The actor at one point he'd given up submitting his name for Emmy consideration, EW reported.

"I just felt the kind of stuff I do doesn't win awards," Newhart said. "I didn't want to go through the process, the disappointment."

Newhart will make a return appearance on "The Big Bang Theory" for the show's current season. The actor compared cast members Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, and Johnny Galecki to working with Larry, Darryl, and Darryl on Newhart in the '80s. Newhart's TV history also includes the 1970s "The Bob Newhart Show," ''Newhart" in the 1980s and "Bob" in the '90s and six previous nominations.

In addition to Newhart, other winners for guest turns included Melissa Leo for the sitcom "Louie" and, on the drama series side, Dan Bucatinsky for "Scandal" and Carrie Preston for "The Good Wife."

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn of "Project Runway" won for outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition show, and "Undercover Boss" for outstanding reality program.

According to EW, the awards show primarily honors the behind-the-scenes folks of the television world but also recognizes actors in guest roles.

The 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards will air Saturday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.