Tim Conway, film and television actor known for The Carol Burnett Show and McHale's Navy, passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 85.
One of his reps told Variety he died of a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in his brain. “I’m heartbroken. He was one in a million, not only as a brilliant comedian but as a loving human being,” former co-star Carol Burnett said in a statement. “I cherish the times we had together both on the screen and off. He’ll be in my heart forever.”
Conway had a very active, award-winning career. Born in Ohio, he started on local TV affiliates, writing and performing sketch comedy which served him well later on. After starring on McHale's Navy in the 60s with Ernest Borgnine, Conway had his own eponymous sitcom, The Tim Conway Show, lasting only 13 weeks -- a span of time he jokingly immortalized on a personal license plate.
As a regular on The Carol Burnett Show, he was nominated for six Emmys and won three -- in 1973, 1977, and 1978. He received 13 Emmy nominations total during his career and won in 1996 for an outstanding guest actor role on Coach and 2008 for a guest spot on 30 Rock.
In the 80s, Conway found silver screen success with movies such as Cannonball Run II starring other late film stars such as Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Richard Kiel, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr., among many others. Younger audiences will recognize Conway for his work in Air Bud: Golden Receiver and SpongeBob SquarePants as Barnacle Boy.
Famous for improv and his ad-libs that tripped up fellow performers, Tim Conway's most famous characters from his heyday are the slow and aggravating Old Man and stickler Mr. Tudball. He is survived by his ex-wives, Mary Anne Dalton and Charlene Conway, and seven children.