Biography
TIM CONWAY is best known
for his role on The Carol Burnett Show, an 11-year stint that garnered him
six Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, major accolades from critics, and three
generations of fans. Conway played the funny guy alongside Harvey Korman's
straight man, often cracking up Korman midway through scenes. The
spontaneous break in character became a hallmark to watch for in every
episode.
Conway's often-improvised
humor, razor-sharp timing and hilarious characters have made him one of the
funniest and most authentic performers to grace the stage and studio in the
last forty years. In 1989, Conway received his much deserved star on
Hollywood's "Walk of Fame." In 2002, he and Korman were inducted into the
Academy of Television Arts, & Sciences' Hall of Fame. In 2005, the duo
joined the rest of the Carol Burnett cast in receiving TV Land's Legend
Award.
All told, Conway's
extensive television career has spanned nearly four decades. Born in
Willoughby, Ohio, Conway had a fast rise in show business, from a staff job
at a Cleveland TV station to a regular gig on the Steven Allen Show. He went
on to play Ensign Charles Parker on McHale's Navy in the 1960's, and
eventually landed The Carol Burnett Show, first starring as a guest in 1967
and then coming a permanent fixture in 1975. In 2001, Conway and Korman
starred in the 25th anniversary reunion special, The Carol Burnett: Show
Stoppers. The program drew 30 million viewers and became the
fourth-highest-rated TV show of the season. A testament to the show's unique
multigenerational appeal, the special attracted everyone from grandparents
who saw the original episodes to teenagers now enjoying re-runs on TV Land.
Conway's other television
credits include Rango, Ace Crawford Private Eye, Tim Conway's Funny America,
three self-titled variety shows, and one sitcom. He's appeared on every
major variety show from The Hollywood Palace, Garry Moose, Glen Campbell and
Sonny and Cher to Sammy Davis, Kraft Music Hall, The Tonight Show with
Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, sitcoms such as Married with Children, Cosby,
Mad About You, Touched by an Angel, and Coach, for which he won an Emmy in
1997. He guest starred on Yes Dear, and kids may recognize him as the voice
of Barnacle Boy on SpongeBob SquarePants. In 2003, Conway and Korman were
featured performers on CBS's 75th Anniversary Special. He received an Emmy
for his appearance on 30 Rock in 2008.
Conway's film career
includes They Went That Way and That Way and The Long Shot, both of which he
wrote, along with The Shaggy D.A., Speed II, and Dear God. But it was his
work in a long line of family films - The World's Greatest Athlete, The
Apple Dumpling Gang, and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, Gus, The
Billion Dollar Hobo, The Prize Fighter, and Private Eyes, that garnered him
the most acclaim. Conway wrote the last three and was frequently paired with
Don Knotts for a double dose of comedy highjinks.
On stage, Conway played
Felix in 182 performances of The Odd Couple. He also wrote and starred in
Just for Laughs: A Day with Gates and Mills, which toured for 20 weeks and
130 performances.
In the home-video market,
Conway has found a welcome residence for his vertically-challenged
character, Dorf, with both Dorf on Golf, and Dorf Goes Fishing reaching
platinum sales status. Conway also joined forces with Korman to produce the
video Tim and Harvey in the Great Outdoors. Conway is active member of
several charities, including various drug abuse programs and the Spastic
Children's Foundation. He is the co-founder of the Don MacBeth Memorial
Jockey Fund to aid injured and disabled jockeys.
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