Throaty-voiced Bob Newhart co-star brought independent flair to sitcom role.

Suzanne Pleshette, perhaps best known for her role as Bob Newhart’s wife on The Bob Newhart Show from 1972 to 1978, died on Saturday after a long battle with lung cancer, according to the Los Angeles Times.

On The Bob Newhart Show, Pleshette played Emily Hartley, the independent, career woman, who did not have any children. Emily was unlike any other character on television at the time and represented a significant departure from the way women were normally portrayed.

The famous TV wife reprised her role opposite Bob Newhart on his second show in 1990, in the very last scene of Newhart, which became one of the most memorable and talked about series finales in television history. Most recently, Pleshette guest starred on Will and Grace and 8 Simple Rules. 

Pleshette was born in New York City and made her acting debut on the Broadway stage, and was appearing on television by her 20th birthday. Later, she went on to star in multiple films, including Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. In 2001, Suzanne married Newhart actor Tom Poston, who died in April 2007.

When commenting on the longevity of her successful career, Suzanne once said, "I don't sit around and wait for great parts. I'm an actress, and I love being one, and I'll probably be doing it till I’m 72."

Suzanne Pleshette passed away at her home in Los Angeles.