Tim Conway

**Thomas Daniel "Tim" Conway** (December 15, 1933 – May 14, 2019) was an American actor, comedian, writer, and director. From 1966 to 2012 he appeared in more than 20 TV shows, TV series and films, portraying different characters in each. Among his more notable roles, he portrayed the inept Ensign Parker in the 1960s World War II TV situation comedy *McHale's Navy,* was a regular cast member (1975–78) on the TV comedy *The Carol Burnett Show* where he portrayed his recurrent iconic characters *Mister Tudball*, *Oldest Man* and *Dumb Private,* co-starred with Don Knotts in several films (1979–80), was the title character in the *Dorf* series of eight sports comedy direct-to-video films (1987–96), and provided the voice of Barnacle Boy in the animated series *SpongeBob SquarePants* (1999–2012). Twice, in 1970 and in 1980–81, he had his own TV series.

Conway was admired for his ability to depart from scripts with humorous ad libs and gestures, which frequently caused others in the skit to break character while attempting to control their surprise and laughter. He won six Primetime Emmy Awards during his career, four of which were awarded for *The Carol Burnett Show*, including one for writing.

Conway was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus in 2018 and had brain surgery, but his health continued to deteriorate and he died on May 14, 2019 from complications of that condition. In 1973, Conway guest-starred in *The New Scooby Doo Movies*, voiced himself in the episode "The Spirited Spooked Sports Show". In 1999, Conway and his good friend Ernest Borgnine reunited to become the first guest stars of Nickelodeon's *SpongeBob SquarePants*, voicing the roles of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy. Series creator Stephen Hillenburg and creative director Derek Drymon visioned the voices of the characters with the two actors in mind from the very beginning, having been fans of their work in *McHale's Navy*. Hillenberg and Drymon directly approached Borgnine and Conway, and the actors both accepted.[22]

Conway lent his voice to other television shows including *The Simpsons*, the Disney spin-off *Hercules*, *Lloyd in Space*, *The Wild Thornberrys*, *Cybill*, *The Proud Family*, *The New Scooby-Doo Movies*, *WordGirl*, *Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy!*, *Caillou* and *What's with Andy?*. He also narrated *The Secret Shortcut* in *Reading Rainbow* and hosted *The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration*.[*citation needed*]

From 2003 to 2010, Conway starred as Hermie in Max Lucado's animated video series, *Hermie and Friends*. His final voice role was one of the seagulls in *The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water*. In 1963, Conway guest-starred in *Channing* playing a job applicant. In 1968, he made two guest appearances on *That's Life*. From 1970 to 1971, Conway made four appearances on *Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In*. In 1974, he was in the *ABC Afterschool Special* as a janitor in the episode: "The Crazy Comedy Concert". In 1987, Conway guest-starred in *Faerie Tale Theatre* as a mayoral candidate in the episode: "Rip Van Winkle". In 1990, he guest-starred in *Newhart* as himself in the episode: "Dick and Tim". In 1991, Conway made a cameo appearance in *Carol & Company* as audience member in the episode "That Little Extra Something". From 1995 to 1996, he guest-starred in *Married... with Children* as Ephraim Wanker, the hillbilly father of Peg Bundy in four episodes. In 1996 and 1997, Conway guest-starred in ABC's *Coach*, for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, playing Kenny Montague in the 1996 episode "The Gardener."[23]

In 1997, Conway guest-starred in *Diagnosis: Murder* as Tim Conrad in the episode: "Comedy Is Murder" where he teamed back up with Dick Van Dyke and Harvey Korman where Conway and Korman (Harvey Huckaby) are former comedy partners. In the episode, a clip of the well-known dentist sketch from *The Carol Burnett Show* was used to illustrate their partnership. In 1998, Conway guest-starred in *Ellen* as a comedian in the episode: "Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute, Part 1". In 1999, he guest-starred again in *Diagnosis: Murder* as Tim Conrad in the episode: "The Roast". From 2001 to 2005, Conway guest-starred in *Yes Dear* as Tom Warner, the father of Greg, with *Carol Burnett Show* co-star Vicki Lawrenceplaying his wife. He won another Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Bucky Bright in the *30 Rock* episode "Subway Hero," which initially aired on April 17, 2008.[*citation needed*] From 2010 to 2014, Conwat gust-starred on *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation*, *Hot in Cleveland*, *WordGirl*, *Batman: The Brave and the Bold*, *Wizards of Waverly Place*, *Mike & Molly*, *Major Crimes*, *Two and a Half Men*, and *Glee*.

On his 75th birthday in 2008, Conway was interviewed as a guest on *The Bonnie Hunt Show* and given a surprise cake by Bob Newhart.[*citation needed*] In 2018, Conway was seen promoting *The Carol Burnett Show* and other classic television series on the MeTV television network.[*citation needed*]

Conway starred in Disney films such as *The World's Greatest Athlete* (1973), *The Apple Dumpling Gang* (1975), *Gus* (1976), and *The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again* (1979), his work with the company earning him a Disney Legend award in 2004. He starred in the 1977 comedy film *The Billion Dollar Hobo*. Conway also co-starred with Don Knotts in *The Prize Fighter* (1979) and *The Private Eyes* (1980). He starred in the 1986 equestrian comedy, *The Longshot*. Conway also appeared with Dick Martin in *Air Bud: Golden Receiver* (1998) as Fred Davis, the main announcer for the Timberwolves' final game, with Martin as his co-announcer, Phil Phil. He was postal employee Herman Dooly in the 1996 film, *Dear God*.

Conway and Harvey Korman created a Collector's Edition DVD of new comedy sketches, titled *Together Again*; it was produced by Pasquale Murena and sold through Conway's official website.[24] Starting in 2003, Conway teamed up with good friend Don Knotts again to provide voices for the direct-to-video children's series *Hermie and Friends*, which continued with both until Knotts passed away in 2006. Conway continued to do the series afterwards.[*citation needed*] In 2007, he hosted *Thou Shalt Laugh 2: The Deuce*, a collection of Christian stand-up comedians.[*citation needed*] In 2012–13, he voiced the character Mulch in DreamWorks' *DreamWorks Dragons*subtitled Riders of Berk series.[25] In 2016, he played Professor VanVanguard, a knowledgeable character of the lives, characteristics and treating of zombies in the award-winning feature film *Chip & Bernie's Zomance*.[26]