Tim Conway [movies/tv]

Calvin

Welcome to Headstones and Microphones where we use AI to step into the past through a researched, first-person simulation of history's most interesting people. I am your host, Calvin. While we’ve added some creative storytelling, our goal is to inspire your own study of these fascinating lives. Now, let’s meet our guest.

Calvin

Today, we’re joined by a man who made an absolute art out of the "second banana" role and managed to break almost every co-star he ever worked with. For those who may somehow not know who you are... who are you?

White Male Guest

I'm Tim Conway! You might remember me as Ensign Charles Parker from McHale's Navy, or perhaps as the Old Man or Mr. Tudball on The Carol Burnett Show. Or, if you’re a bit younger, maybe you know my voice as Barnacle Boy from SpongeBob SquarePants.

Calvin

We are thrilled to have you! Let’s start at the beginning. When and where were you born?

White Male Guest

I arrived on December 15, 1933, in a lovely place called Willoughby, Ohio. It’s just outside of Cleveland.

Calvin

What was your given name at birth?

White Male Guest

My parents named me Thomas Daniel Conway.

Calvin

Is there a story behind why you changed it to Tim?

White Male Guest

There sure is! When I headed out to New York to join The Steve Allen Show, there was already a staffer there named Tom Conway. To avoid any confusion and keep things simple, I just swapped it to Tim. It stuck, and I think it suits me much better!

Calvin

What was your hometown like growing up?

White Male Guest

Oh, it was a typical, wonderful Ohio suburb. I grew up mostly in Chagrin Falls. It was the kind of place where you knew your neighbors and life felt very grounded. My father, Daniel, was a pony groomer, so I was around horses quite a bit.

Calvin

What was your family life like?

White Male Guest

It was good, though a bit quiet. My mother, Sophia, was of Romanian descent. My dad was Irish. I was an only child, which I think is why I spent so much time in my own head making up silly things.

Calvin

What kind of kid were you?

White Male Guest

I was definitely the class clown! But honestly, it was a survival tactic. I was quite small, and when you’re the little guy, you have two choices: be funny or get beat up. I chose funny!

Calvin

What were your biggest fears growing up?

White Male Guest

Probably those bigger kids I was trying to avoid! But really, I think I just feared being ordinary. I always felt like there was something funny waiting to happen if you just looked at things the right way.

Calvin

What did you dream of becoming as a child?

White Male Guest

For a while, I desperately wanted to be a veterinarian because of my dad’s work with horses. But then I realized how much science was involved, and my brain just didn't work that way.

Calvin

What were some of your favorite activities in school?

White Male Guest

I loved anything that let me perform, but I actually discovered my "knack" for comedy in a strange way. I was dyslexic, and when I’d have to read aloud in class, I’d mispronounce words or read things that weren't there. I remember reading "They Were Expendable" as "They Were Expandable." The whole class roared! I thought, "Hey, I might be onto something here."

Calvin

What was your first job?

White Male Guest

After I finished my time in the Army, I got a job answering mail at a local radio station in Cleveland. It wasn't glamorous, but it got my foot in the door.

Calvin

Was there a moment where you realized you were different from everyone else?

White Male Guest

It was probably that "expandable" moment in school. Seeing people laugh at something I did—even if it started as a mistake—felt like a superpower. I realized I could control the room just by being a little silly.

Calvin

What’s a decision that changed everything for you, but felt small at the time?

White Male Guest

Moving to Cleveland to work with Ernie Anderson at KYW-TV. We started doing these little comedic skits between morning movies. We were just having fun, but that’s where I really learned how to play off someone else.

Calvin

What was your biggest break?

White Male Guest

Being "discovered" by Rose Marie. She saw me on local TV and helped me get a spot on The Steve Allen Plymouth Show. That led directly to McHale's Navy, which really put me on the map.

Calvin

What were your biggest struggles before success?

White Male Guest

Oh, I had plenty of failures! I had a show called Turn-on that was so bad it was canceled after just one episode. The producers didn't even want it back after the commercial break! My own self-titled show in 1970 only lasted 12 episodes. You have to be able to laugh at the flops.

Calvin

Did you ever consider quitting?

White Male Guest

Never. I always felt more comfortable being the guy in the background making small, funny things happen than being the big star anyway. I just loved the work too much.

Calvin

Were there any specific daily habits or routines that you feel are essential to your success?

White Male Guest

I always believed in "working clean." I felt people were much more relaxed when they knew they wouldn't be shocked by the material. Keeping it friendly for the whole family was a habit I never broke.

Calvin

What job would you have had if fame never happened?

White Male Guest

I probably would have stayed in radio or maybe followed in my father’s footsteps with the horses. I’ve always loved the track!

Calvin

How did relationships change after success?

White Male Guest

The best part was finding my "comedic soulmate" in Harvey Korman. We worked together for decades. Success gave me the chance to spend every day trying to make my best friend laugh until he cried on national television. What could be better?

Calvin

Did fame bring happiness?

White Male Guest

Happiness came from the laughter. Knowing I could make someone’s day a little lighter through a silly character like Dorf or the Old Man—that’s what brought me real joy.

Calvin

What’s something people misunderstood about your life?

White Male Guest

People often thought I was a regular on The Carol Burnett Show from the very start. I actually wasn't a permanent regular until 1975! I was just a frequent guest who kept showing up until they couldn't get rid of me.

Calvin

Who had the biggest influence on your life?

White Male Guest

Ernie Anderson. He was my mentor in those early Cleveland days. He taught me that you don't have to try too hard to be funny; sometimes the funniest thing is just reacting to what's happening.

Calvin

What were you working on in your career before you passed away?

White Male Guest

I stayed busy! I was doing voice work for SpongeBob and guest-starring on shows like Hot in Cleveland and 30 Rock. I even wrote a memoir called "What's So Funny?"

Calvin

When and where did you pass away?

White Male Guest

I passed away on May 14, 2019, in Los Angeles. I was 85 years old.

Calvin

What’s a random fact about you most people have never heard?

White Male Guest

I was actually a director for a short time at a station in Cleveland, but I lost the job because I had totally misled them into thinking I knew what I was doing. I didn't have a clue!

Calvin

What’s the craziest rumor ever told about you?

White Male Guest

There were always rumors that Harvey and I actually hated each other because we picked on each other so much. Nothing could be further from the truth. We were like brothers.

Calvin

What was your most unique habit?

White Male Guest

I had a habit of trying to "break" my co-stars. On The Carol Burnett Show, I’d intentionally change my lines or do something unexpected just to see if I could make Harvey Korman lose his composure. It became a bit of a game for me!

Calvin

What was your favorite food?

White Male Guest

I wasn't too picky, but I always enjoyed a good, simple meal. Nothing too fancy for an Ohio boy.

Calvin

Did you have any known rivalries?

White Male Guest

Not really a rivalry, but people always loved to compare me and Don Knotts since we did so many movies together like The Apple Dumpling Gang. But we were the best of friends. We just looked at life with the same sense of humor.

Calvin

What’s your funniest behind-the-scenes moment?

White Male Guest

The "Elephant Story" on The Carol Burnett Show! I started ad-libbing this long, ridiculous story about Siamese elephants joined at the trunk during a Family sketch. Vicki Lawrence finally cut me off with a line that absolutely destroyed the whole cast. We couldn't stop laughing for ten minutes!

Calvin

What advice would you give people chasing success?

White Male Guest

Don't be afraid to be the guy in the background. You don't always have to be the star to be the one everyone remembers. And for goodness' sake, keep it clean—it's much funnier that way!

Calvin

Tim, this has been an absolute blast. Do you have any closing remarks about our chat or your stories that you’d like to share with the listeners before we sign off?

White Male Guest

Oh, just that it was a treat to reminisce! Life is too short not to find the "expandable" moments in every day. Thank you so much for having me, Calvin. It’s been a real hoot!

Calvin

The pleasure was all ours. From the "Elephant Story" to the halls of Rydell—wait, wrong guest! From the decks of McHale's Navy to the legendary sketches with Carol and Harvey, Tim Conway reminded us all that a little bit of silliness goes a long way. Thank you, Tim, for joining us.

Calvin

And that wraps up another conversation from beyond the grave. Thanks for joining us on The Headstones and Microphones Podcast. Remember—legends may die, but their stories never do. Please help spread the word by sharing and following the pod.