Tim Conway.

Thomas Daniel Conway

Born 15 Dec 1933 Willoughby, United States

Died 14 May 2019 Los Angeles, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 92 yr If Living

10 min read

Reading time

1,840

Words

Oct 20, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Tim Conway made Harvey Korman laugh uncontrollably on The Carol Burnett Show. He played Ensign Charles Parker on McHale’s Navy 1962 and starred in Disney’s The Apple Dumpling Gang 1975. Conway won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989. He was born December 15, 1933 in Willoughby, Ohio.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Tim Conway — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Thomas Daniel Conway

Nicknames Timmy, Tom Conway

Aliases Tom Conway, The Menfolk of

Spouses: Charlene Conway Mary Anne Dalton

At a glance.

STATS

Tim Conway by the numbers — life, work, and family.

85 Years lived

5 Awards

2 Marriages

Who was Tim Conway?

BIOGRAPHY

Tim Conway — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Tim Conway was born Thomas Daniel Conway on December 15, 1933 in Willoughby, Ohio, to Sophia Murgoiu and Daniel Conway, a pony groomer. His father was an Irish immigrant and his maternal grandparents were Romanian; his birth name was the Romanian Toma, later changed to Thomas. He attended Chagrin Falls High School and later studied television and radio at Bowling Green State University, where he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduating, he served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958.

Career

Conway started writing and performing comedy skits on CBS. Rose Marie discovered him and set up an audition for The Steve Allen Show in 1956, earning him a regular spot. His breakout role came in 1962 as Ensign Charles Parker on McHale’s Navy. He appeared in several short-lived television projects, including Turn-on 1969, which lasted one episode, and The Tim Conway Show, which ran 12 episodes. He joined The Carol Burnett Show in 1967 and became a regular in 1975. His improvisations often caused Harvey Korman to laugh uncontrollably on air. Conway also starred in Disney’s The Apple Dumpling Gang 1975 and the films The Prize Fighter 1979 and The Private Eyes 1980. He continued with comedic roles like Dorf and made guest appearances on many shows. He voiced Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy on SpongeBob SquarePants for 13 years.

Personal life

Conway was married twice. His first marriage was to Mary Anne Dalton from May 27, 1961 until their divorce on January 21, 1981. He then married Charlene Conway on May 18, 1984, and they remained together until his death. He had six children: Tim Conway Jr., Corey, Jaime also known as Jake, Pat, Seann, and Kelly. He also had a stepdaughter, Jackie Beatty, and two granddaughters. His acting mentor and former neighbor Ernest Borgnine died in 2012 at age 95.

Legacy

Tim Conway is remembered for his work on The Carol Burnett Show, where he made fellow cast members break character. He won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989. In 2004, he was named a Disney Legend. His characters The Old Man and Mr. Tudball remain popular. Conway also served as a writer on The Carol Burnett Show and contributed to Ghoulardi, earning induction into the Horror Host Hall of Fame in 2011.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Tim Conway — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Primetime Emmy Award
Disney Legends
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 2

A wall of memorable lines from Tim Conway — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

People Come up to Me and Start Conversations. Dogs Sniff Me. It’s Quite an Easy Life, Actually.
It’s Been Such a Great Ride Because I’ve Got to Do All the Great Things I Respect in Comedy, and Met the People I Respect in Comedy.

Did you know?

FACTS · 24

Little-known facts about Tim Conway — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Conway’s car license plate read 13 WKS, a nod to his solo television projects typically cancelling after 13 weeks.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in television and radio from Bowling Green State University and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
On The Carol Burnett Show, Conway made Harvey Korman and other cast members laugh uncontrollably while he stayed in character; those moments were often kept in the final aired episodes.
Rose Marie discovered Conway and set up his audition for The Steve Allen Show, where he impressed Steve Allen and earned a regular role.
In a 2008 guest role on Subway Hero, Conway played Bucky Bright, and when his character pointed at a photo, it was a real promotional image from McHale’s Navy, in which Conway had starred.
Conway often credited Ernest Borgnine as his favorite acting mentor and best friend.
He was frequently called the best second-banana in show business.
Conway toured with Harvey Korman and also worked with Carol Burnett on Touched by an Angel and Hot in Cleveland. His most frequent co-star was Vicki Lawrence, with whom he appeared on Yes, Dear six times and in Hermie & Friends.
Conway was named a Disney Legend in 2004.
He said he had a wonderful working relationship with Ernest Borgnine on McHale’s Navy.
Conway joined The Carol Burnett Show after Lyle Waggoner left due to contract issues; Waggoner then played Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman until 1979.
Ernest Borgnine, Conway’s mentor and neighbor, died in 2012 at age 95. Conway had voiced Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy alongside Borgnine on SpongeBob SquarePants for 13 years.
He changed his first name from Toma to Tim to avoid confusion with actor Tom Conway.
After college, Conway enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1956 to 1958.
In 2011, he was inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame in the Behind the Screams category for his work as an original writer for Ghoulardi.
He participated in the All-Star Party for Carol Burnett in 1982 and helped honor her at the Mark Twain Award ceremony.
Conway had six children: Tim Conway Jr., Corey, Jaime also known as Jake, Pat, Seann, and Kelly.
His father was an Irish immigrant, and his maternal grandparents were Romanian. He was initially given the Romanian name Toma, which was later anglicized to Thomas.
Conway received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television at 6740 Hollywood Boulevard on February 9, 1989.
Conway’s crypt is located in the Sanctuary of Prayer Mausoleum at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, where his casket was provided by the park’s mortuary.
The public best knows Conway for playing Ensign Charles Parker on McHale’s Navy.
In Cleveland, Conway partnered with Ernie Anderson father of director Paul Thomas Anderson for local TV comedy until he moved away.
Conway’s biography appears in Who’s Who in Comedy by Ronald L. Smith, pages 115-116, published in 1992.
He had a stepdaughter, Jackie Beatty, and two granddaughters.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Tim Conway.

When was Tim Conway born?

Tim Conway was born on December 15, 1933 in Willoughby, Ohio. His birth name was Thomas Daniel Conway, but he later changed it to Tim.
Where was Tim Conway born?

Tim Conway was born in Willoughby, Ohio, USA. He grew up in Ohio and attended Chagrin Falls High School and Bowling Green State University.
When did Tim Conway die?

Tim Conway died on May 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. He was 85 years old.
How old was Tim Conway when he died?

Tim Conway was 85 years old when he died on May 14, 2019. He was born on December 15, 1933.
Where did Tim Conway die?

Tim Conway died in Los Angeles, California, USA. He had been living there during his later years.
How did Tim Conway die?

Tim Conway died from complications of hydrocephalus. He passed away on May 14, 2019 in Los Angeles.
What is Tim Conway's real name?

Tim Conway’s birth name was Thomas Daniel Conway. He changed his first name from Toma to Tim to avoid confusion with actor Tom Conway.
What does Tim Conway do for a living?

Tim Conway was an actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for his comedic roles on television and in films.
What nationality is Tim Conway?

Tim Conway was American, born in the United States. His father was an Irish immigrant and his maternal grandparents were Romanian.
What language does Tim Conway speak?

Tim Conway’s native language was English. He was born and raised in the United States.
Who is Tim Conway married to?

Tim Conway was married twice. He married Mary Anne Dalton in 1961 and divorced in 1981, then married Charlene Conway in 1984.
Where did Tim Conway go to school?

Tim Conway attended Chagrin Falls High School and later Bowling Green State University. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in television and radio and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
What awards has Tim Conway won?

Tim Conway won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989 and was named a Disney Legend in 2004.
How many awards has Tim Conway won?

Tim Conway won several awards, including Primetime Emmys and a Disney Legends honor. He also had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
What is Tim Conway best known for?

Tim Conway is best known for his role as Ensign Charles Parker on McHale’s Navy 1962 and for being a comedic performer on The Carol Burnett Show. He also starred in films like The Apple Dumpling Gang and The Private Eyes.
How tall was Tim Conway?

Tim Conway stood 5 feet 6 inches 1.68 m tall. His height was often used for comedic effect in his roles.
Did Tim Conway have children?

Yes, Tim Conway had six children: Tim Conway Jr., Corey, Jaime also known as Jake, Pat, Seann, and Kelly. He also had a stepdaughter, Jackie Beatty, and two granddaughters.
Who were Tim Conway's parents?

Tim Conway’s parents were Daniel Conway, a pony groomer, and Sophia Murgoiu Conway. His father was an Irish immigrant and his mother’s family was Romanian.
How many award nominations did Tim Conway receive?

Tim Conway received 25 award nominations during his career. He won 11 awards, including multiple Emmys.
Why did Tim Conway go by the nickname Timmy?

Tim Conway was called Timmy to distinguish himself from actor Tom Conway. He also used the alias Tom Conway himself early in his career.
What other names did Tim Conway use?

Tim Conway used the aliases Tom Conway and The Menfolk of. He changed his first name from Toma to Tim to avoid confusion.
What characters did Tim Conway play on The Carol Burnett Show?

Tim Conway played characters such as The Old Man and Mr. Tudball on The Carol Burnett Show. His improvisations often made fellow cast members laugh.
Did Tim Conway win an Emmy Award?

Yes, Tim Conway won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
What was Tim Conway's role in SpongeBob SquarePants?

Tim Conway voiced the characters Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy on SpongeBob SquarePants. He voiced them for 13 years.
Where is Tim Conway buried?

Tim Conway’s crypt is at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California. It is located in the Sanctuary of Prayer Mausoleum.
How many episodes of The Tim Conway Show aired?

The Tim Conway Show aired only 12 episodes before being cancelled. It was one of several short-lived solo projects.
What was Tim Conway's first television role?

Tim Conway’s first television role was on The Steve Allen Show in 1956 after being discovered by Rose Marie. He became a regular performer on the show.
Did Tim Conway serve in the military?

Yes, Tim Conway served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 after graduating from Bowling Green State University.
Who discovered Tim Conway?

Comedienne Rose Marie discovered Tim Conway and arranged for him to audition for The Steve Allen Show. He impressed Steve Allen and got a regular spot.
What was the meaning behind Tim Conway's license plate?

Tim Conway’s car license plate read 13 WKS, referring to the fact that most of his solo television projects were cancelled after 13 weeks.

View all 30 questions View fewer questions

Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on October 20, 2026

Report an issue

If something on this page looks off, we genuinely want to know about it. Send us a quick email with the celebrity's name, the detail that seems incorrect, and any sources you're referencing. We review every report and update the page as soon as we can.

Report an issue