Tim Conway

Tim Conway
Name	Tim Conway
Caption	Conway in 1976
Birth name	Thomas Daniel Conway
Birth date	15 December 1933
Birth place	Willoughby, Ohio, U.S.
Death date	14 May 2019
Death place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, comedian, writer, director
Years active	1956–2016
Spouse	Mary Anne Dalton (m. 1961; div. 1978), Charlene Fusco (m. 1984)

Tim Conway was an American actor and comedian celebrated for his groundbreaking work in television sketch comedy and his prolific voice acting career. He gained national fame as a regular performer on The Carol Burnett Show, where his improvisational genius and character work earned him multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. His collaborations with Harvey Korman became legendary, and he later found success with a series of family-friendly film comedies and as a voice actor in animated projects like SpongeBob SquarePants.

Early life and education

Thomas Daniel Conway was born in Willoughby, Ohio, and raised in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. His father, Daniel Conway, was a horse trainer, which fostered an early love for animals. He attended Bowling Green State University, initially studying speech and radio before serving in the United States Army after being drafted during the Korean War. Following his military service, he returned to Ohio and worked in local Cleveland television, which sparked his interest in performing.

Career

Conway's professional break came when he was hired by a New York City television station, leading to his discovery by comedian Rose Marie. This connection helped him land a role on The Steve Allen Show. His major career breakthrough occurred when he was cast in the ABC sitcom McHale's Navy, playing the bumbling Ensign Charles Parker opposite Ernest Borgnine. However, his most defining work began in 1975 when he joined the cast of the CBS variety program The Carol Burnett Show as a regular. His sketches, particularly those with Harvey Korman, often broke the fourth wall with uncontrollable laughter. Memorable characters included the inefficient Mr. Tudball and the shuffling Old Man. He later starred in and wrote for the ABC series The Tim Conway Show and The Tim Conway Comedy Hour. Conway also enjoyed a successful film career, notably in the *The Apple Dumpling Gang* series for Walt Disney Pictures and the Cannon Film Group's *The Private Eyes*. In later decades, he became a beloved voice actor, contributing to SpongeBob SquarePants and Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise.

Personal life

Conway was married twice, first to Mary Anne Dalton, with whom he had six children, including actress and writer Kelly Conway. Following their divorce, he married Charlene Fusco in 1984, and they had one daughter together. He was a longtime resident of Los Angeles and was known to be a private individual away from the spotlight, with a passion for golf and supporting various charitable organizations. In his later years, he faced health challenges, including a 2013 surgery that left him with dizziness and balance disorders.

Death and legacy

Conway died on May 14, 2019, in Los Angeles from complications related to normal pressure hydrocephalus. His death was met with widespread tributes from the entertainment community, including his former co-stars on The Carol Burnett Show. He is remembered as one of the most gifted physical comedians in television history, whose improvisational skills and ability to create enduring comic characters left a profound mark on American comedy. The Television Academy honored him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and his work continues to be celebrated in syndication and on streaming media platforms.

Filmography

A selected list of Conway's notable works includes *McHale's Navy* (1962–1966), *The Apple Dumpling Gang* (1975), *The Shaggy D.A.* (1976), *The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again* (1979), *The Private Eyes* (1980), and *Cannonball Run II* (1984). His prominent voice roles include Barnacle Boy in SpongeBob SquarePants and Piglet in several Disney projects related to Winnie the Pooh. He also made numerous guest appearances on shows like The Love Boat, Married... with Children, and 30 Rock.

Awards and nominations

Conway received six Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on The Carol Burnett Show, both for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Supporting Actor. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in *McHale's Navy*. In 2002, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. He also received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for his voice work on SpongeBob SquarePants and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Comedy Awards.

Category:American comedians Category:American male television actors Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners