Carol Burnett star Conway dead at 85
Tim Conway, the comedian’s comedian best known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show, died Tuesday morning in Los Angeles, his rep, Howard Bragman, confirmed to the Times. He was 85.
Conway died in a long-term care facility after suffering complications of hydrocephalus, a disorder in which there is an excess of fluid on the brain, Bragman said. The actor had claimed he was born funny: “I am not really qualified to do anything but screw up,” he told the Times in 2013.
Born in a suburb of Cleveland, he worked in Cleveland radio and TV before his work was spotted by established actress and comedian Rose Marie as she passed through town. That led to a stint on The Steve Allen Show in New York; then Conway came to prominence as a bumbling ensign in McHale’s Navy opposite Ernest Borgnine from 1962 to 1966.
The next year, The Carol Burnett Show premiered with Conway as a frequent guest star. The series, which ran until1978, showcased his gift for physical comedy and redefined his career, but it took a long time for Conway to become a regular.
He had a knack for making co-star Harvey Kormanlaugh. And Burnett. And just about anyone else who played opposite him. During his career, he won a Golden Globe and six Emmy Awards — four for the The Carol Burnett Show and two for guest spots including 30 Rock in 2008.
His first marriage, to Mary Anne Dalton, with whom he had six kids, ended in divorce. In 1984, he married Burnett’s secretary, Charlene Fusco. ABC backs Wu after her renewal ABC is standing behind Constance Wu after her incendiary comments about the renewal of comedy Fresh Off the Boat.
On Friday, the actress shared her frustration that the sitcom was picked up for a sixth season, tweeting, “So upset right now that I’m literally crying,” along with two expletives. She later apologized in a lengthy statement.
At a Disney press conference Tuesday, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke said there are no hard feelings against Wu. “There’s been no thought to recasting Constance,” Burke explained. USA Today