SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTERS
ADVERTISE| CLASSIFIEDS| JOBS| E-TRIB
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NETWORK TRIBLIVE LOCAL
Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
Comedian Tim Conway dead at age 85 | TribLIVE.com
Movies/TV

Comedian Tim Conway dead at age 85

Chris Pastrick
Chris Pastrick
1155582_web1_ptr-Conway2-051519
AP
Tim Conway poses at “Still Laugh In: A Toast to George Schlatter,” at the Saban Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
1155582_web1_ptr-ConwayC-051519
AP
Carol Burnett shares a laugh with Tim Conway on March 19, 1978, during taping of her final show in Los Angeles.
1155582_web1_ptr-ConwayB-051519
AP
Comedian Tim Conway, flanked by Harvey Korman and Carol Burnett, receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Feb. 21, 1989.
1155582_web1_TimConwayA
AP
Tim Conway introduces the Life Achievement award at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles.
1155582_web1_ptr-ConwayD-051519
AP
Tim Conway, left, and Don Knotts are seen in this 1974 photo in character for the film “The Apple Dumpling Gang”

Comedian Tim Conway has died at age 85, after a battle with dementia, People reports.

Representative Howard Bragman confirmed to People that the comic died at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Conway was best known for his work on CBS’ “The Carol Burnett Show,” winning four Emmy Awards for his work — one for writing, three for performing. After being a featured player in the first eight seasons, Conway officially joined the cast in seasons nine through 11.

On the show, he had several famous characters, including the feet-shuffling Oldest Man and the executive Mr. Tudball, who is constantly exasperated with his secretary.

He was also known for making his friend and co-star Harvey Korman break up during sketches.

“I’m heartbroken,” said Burnett in a statement. “He was one in a million, not only as a brilliant comedian but as a loving human being. I cherish the times we had together both on the screen and off. He’ll be in my heart forever.”

In the 1960s, Conway played Ensign Parker in the sitcom “McHale’s Navy.” Other TV stints included the one-hour variety program “The Tim Conway Show” from 1980-81 and the CBS detective parody “Ace Crawford, Private Eye” in 1983. Most recently, he voiced the role of Barnacle Boy on “Spongebob Squarepants.”

His filmwork included many movies for Disney, including “The Apple Dumpling Gang,” “The Shaggy D.A.,” “Gus,” and “The World’s Greatest Athlete.”

In later years, Conway played the comically inept diminutive golf instructor Dorf.

He picked up two Emmys for guest work — one for a 1996 episode of “Coach,” the other for an episode of “30 Rock” in 2008.

In recognition for a career that spanned 40 years, Conway was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989. In 2002, Conway and Korman were both inducted into the Academy of Television Arts, & Sciences’ Hall of Fame.

Conway was born in a suburb of Cleveland — Willoughby, Ohio — on Dec. 15, 1933. He graduated from Bowling Green State University, having majored in TV and radio. After several years working for Cleveland TV stations, Conway moved to New York in 1962 and found a role on ABC’s “The Steve Allen Show” as a regular.

On Conway’s own website, he mentions he is in the Comedy Hall of Fame, saying, “It was a natural since I spent alot of my time in grade school out in the hall.”

He spent two years in the U.S. Army, pointing out that he spent three in “McHale’s Navy,” for a total of five years of service.

Conway is survived by his wife, Charlene, of 35 years, his stepdaughter, six biological children, and two granddaughters.

Many took to social media to express their sorrow.

Chris Pastrick is a TribLive digital producer. An Allegheny County native, he began working for the Valley News Dispatch in 1993 and joined the Trib in 1997. He can be reached at cpastrick@triblive.com.

Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.

Get Ad-Free >

Categories: AandE | Movies/TV | Top Stories
";