Tim Conway, the actor best known for his role on the long-running sketch comedy series, The Carol Burnett Show, died May 14, 2019, after a long illness. The popular comedian, known for his deadpan delivery, was 85. He was survived by his wife of 35 years, Charlene, and seven children.
Conway got his start writing comedy material for Cleveland radio station WJW. Thanks to a chance meeting with comedienne Rose Marie, Conway got an audition for The Steve Allen Show as a featured player.
That led to his role as Ensign Charles Parker, opposite Ernest Borgnine’s title character, on the TV sitcom McHale’s Navy. In 1970, he starred in his own, short-lived sitcom, The Tim Conway Show.
After several years as a guest star, Conway joined The Carol Burnett Show as a series regular in 1975. He earned four Emmy Awards for the series, three for writing and one for acting. Among his most popular recurring characters on the series were the Oldest Man and Mr. Tudball.
Watch Conway and Harvey Korman in a legendary sketch from the series
A post on the official Facebook page for the Burnett Show wrote: “There are no words to describe how much you’ll be missed. Thank you for all of the laughs and memories, I’m so glad we had this time together.”
Conway was born Thomas Conway on December 15, 1933, in Willoughby, Ohio. He attended Bowling Green State University where he majored in television and radio.
1 Comment
I’ve seen the dentist sketch innumerable times and it still brings tears to my eyes laughing every time I see it again.