Tim Conway: Remembering sixty years of comedy genius

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Tim Conway

Ohio native Thomas Daniel Conway, better known as Tim Conway, was well known for his comedic hijinks. From his deadpan delivery on the Carol Burnett Show to voicing animated characters, his timing and improv skills not only brought audiences to tears of laughter but often is co-stars as well.

Always kind and ever ready to dish out an absurdly amusing anecdote or off the wall phrase, laughter was usually on tap when talking with Tim. His talents have appeared on talk shows, television series and several Disney productions.

Tim Conway alongside Don Knotts

With his hilarious characters in sketch comedy segments on “The Carol Burnett Show,” viewers never knew what to expect when Tim Conway was on stage or screen. From elephants to dentists, offbeat Cowboys to wacky wizards, Conway’s antics would have everyone in stitches. This applied to both those fortunate to star alongside and members of the audience.

Tim Conway looking scared

Early Tim Conway Comedy

After serving in World War II, Thomas Daniel Conway landed work on both CBS and NBC television stations in Cleveland Ohio (1958 – 1962). From there he appeared regularly in various comedy sketches (changing his name to Tim) on “The Steve Allen Show.”

McHale’s Navy” gave Conway his breakthrough role as Ensign Charles Parker. During the show’s tenure, Co-Star Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway became good friends.

Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conaway sitting at a table

1970 gave Tim a short-lived series (13 weeks), “The Tim Conway Show.” Other shows starring Conway (post “Carol Burnett Show”) include “Dorf” and a variety show which also used “The Tim Conway Show” as its title (1980)

In 2012, Tim Conway voiced the faithful sidekick “Barnacle Boy,” for the “SpongeBob SquarePants” animated series on Nickelodeon. His former “McHale’s Navy” co-star, Ernest Borgnine, performed (voice) as the Bikini Bottom superhero, “Mermaid Man.”

Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy

Conway and Carol

America was introduced to regular characters like “The Oldest Man” and “Mr. Tudball” soon after Conway joined the cast of “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1975.  These, and other goofball creations (like Simba – a human raised lion) would remain a staple of the show until it ended in 1978.

“A well-known outtake from the Carol Burnett Show is from the recurring “The Family” sketch, with Conway (as Mickey Hart) telling a mostly ad-libbed story about a circus elephant. As the story continues, the other cast members become increasingly unable to stay in character, leading up to Vicki Lawrence (in-character as Mama) finally asking, “You sure that little as@@ole’s through?”, resulting in all the cast members, including Conway, finally breaking up in gales of laughter” –Wikipedia

Tim Conway and Carol Burnett

Tim Conway Disney Days

“The World’s Greatest Athlete,” in 1973, was Conway’s first Disney role. “It is one of the few wide-release Hollywood sports films to look at the world of track and field, as the “World’s Greatest Athlete,” Nanu, played by Vincent, tries to make history by winning every event at the NCAA Track & Field Championship.” – Disney Wiki

Walt Disney's "The World's Greatest Athlete" poster

The Walt Disney Company again turned to Tim Conway to co-star (alongside Don Knotts) in a pair of popular Western comedies: “The Apple Dumpling Gang” (1975) and “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again” (1979). Gusts braving the runaway trains of Big Thunder Mountain at Disney Parks might recognize the pair from their “Be On the Lookout” poster with the attraction’s queue.

Tim Conway alongside Don Knotts

“The Shaggy D.A.” included Tim Conway, Dean Jones, and Dick van Patten among its cast when it was released in 1976.

“GUS,” a funny film centering on a talking donkey also starred Don Knotts (1976).

Walt Disney productions Gus movie cover

Conway’s voice can be heard in “Hercules” (1998 animated series), as Mr. Griff. In his final role with Don Knotts, “Air Buddies” (2006) Conway was the voice of Sheriff Sniffer. He also enjoyed the role of Cragmont on the Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place.”

Tim Conway dressed as a wizard

Final Notes

Tim Conway brought laughter to millions in scores of television and motion picture appearances and voice work. His work, far too much to be listed here, spans almost six decades and earned him over a dozen Emmy Awards along with a pair of Golden Globe trophies.

Much to the dismay of fans and colleagues, Tim Conway passed away on May 14, 2019. He was 85. It’s easy to imagine him rejoining legends like Don Knotts, Ernest Borgnine and Harvey Korman to bring loads of laughter to the hereafter.

Has the comedic genius of Tim Conway tickled your funny bone? What are your favorite roles/moments?

Source and images: Wikipedia, Disney Wiki, YouTube

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