Thomas Askew ‘21
Tim Conway was a successful actor and performer born on December 15th, 1933 in Willoughby, Ohio, and died on May 14th, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Conway died of a Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus at age 85. Here’s a look into the life of a man who dedicated his entire career to the entertainment of others.
Conway was born on December 15th, 1933 to the name Thomas Daniel Conway. He attended Bowling Green States University and served in the United States armed forces from 1956 - 1958.
Conway’s career began on the radio. He was discovered by an individual named Rose Marie, a famous actress and singer. After his discovery, Conway became a regular on the Steve Allen Plymouth Show and later starred in McHale’s Navy. However, he soon experienced many failed shows including “Turn On” and “The Tim Conway Show.”
Afterwards, Conway was seen elsewhere including Rango, Ace Crawford Private Eye, Spongebob Squarepants, and many other television shows. However, his claim to fame was his impressive performance on “The Carol Burnett Show,” which was on air for eleven years.
When asked about how he would describe someone like Conway, sophomore Anthony Nieves said, “I would describe someone who did this as a very dedicated person. To continue after many failed attempts and to persevere the hardships is very hard. The fact that he was able to do this was amazing. Not many people have the courage to endure all the failed attempts but he did.”
Upon hearing of Conway’s death, Carol Burnett said “I’m heartbroken,” then went on to say, “He was one in a million, not only as a brilliant comedian but as a loving human being. I cherish the times we had together both on the screen and off. He’ll be in my heart forever.”
Conway continued his career and was recognized with many prestigious awards. He got six Emmys, a golden globe award, and earned himself a star on Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame.” He was also inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame.
Despite being recognized for these awards, Conway seems to have the greatest sense of accomplishment when writing, “I have been married since 1984, a record for Hollywood.”
Tim Conway died on May 14th, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. He died of a Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. This is a condition in which fluid from the brain and spinal cord accumulate in small chambers in the brain called ventricles. However, even in death, Conway affects the lives of many of his fans through his performances on screen.