BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Emmy-winning comedian Bob Newhart will star in three episodes of NBC's "ER" as a man facing blindness, NBC.com reported Monday.
Newhart, who won his Emmy as a psychologist on his namesake show, "The Bob Newhart Show," will reverse roles to play Ben Hollander, an architect suffering macular degeneration
In the story, his progressive loss of sight affects his ability to work and his interest in the world. Dr. Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) develops an odd attachment to this elegant, struggling intellectual.
The episodes will be broadcast in October and November.
Newhart abandoned his job as a Chicago bookkeeper to become a standup comedian, which eventually led to hit albums and his own show beginning in the 1960s.
In addition, he guest-hosted "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" 87 times and appeared on "The Dean Martin Show" on 24 occasions.
