Celebrities remember Tim Conway, who was 'as kind as he was funny'
The internet is thanking Tim Conway for the laughs.
As news spread that the Emmy-winning comedian and actor who starred in The Carol Burnett Show and McHale’s Navy died at age 85 from water on the brain, tributes poured in on social media.
Fellow laugh makers especially are honoring the funnyman on Tuesday, including Burnett, who said in a statement, “I’m heartbroken. 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.”
But the Twitter tributes are plentiful. Conan O’Brien said “no one made me laugh harder” growing up than Conway, whom he called a “sweets and effortlessly funny man.”
When I was a kid watching "The Carol Burnett Show," no one made me laugh harder than Tim Conway. What a sweet and effortlessly funny man.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) May 14, 2019
This Is 40 director Judd Apatow was also taken back to his childhood upon hearing of Conway’s death. But meeting Conway when he guest-starred on The Larry Sanders Show was “all I dreamed it would be,” Apatow wrote, adding that Conway was “as kind as he was funny.”
The amount of joy Tim Conway brought my family as a child was immeasurable. The man was pure comedy. Riotously funny. I finally got to see him work when he guest starred on The Larry Sanders show and he was all I dreamed he would be. As kind as he was funny. He will be missed. https://t.co/69NkVC6TwZ
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) May 14, 2019
Andy Richter said Conway was “one of my heroes, truly” and told a story about meeting him.
So sad to hear about Tim Conway’s death. One of my heroes, truly. Did a live sketch w him for NY comedy festival. When we met to “rehearse”, he made me laugh for a solid hour. He didn’t have to. For him to treat me as even close to an equal will always be a cherished honor.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) May 14, 2019
Kathy Griffin called him a “kind, soft-spoken man.”
Tim Conway. A kind, soft spoken man. A wildly talented, comedy giant. pic.twitter.com/1Ybd0oHKGW
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 14, 2019
Chris Rock said “ the world just got a less funny.”
Wayne Brady talked about working with his “childhood idol.”
So sad right now about #timconway. Rarely do you get to meet and then work w a childhood idol. We even did a #dorf sketch! God Bless you sir. https://t.co/x7i0DIfxUm
— Wayne Brady (@WayneBrady) May 14, 2019
Patton Oswalt shared an old clip from The Carol Burnett Show and said watching Conway “destroy his castmates is pure joy.”
Watching Tim Conway destroy his cast mates is pure joy. Wait until Vicki Lawrence’s a-bomb ad-lib at the end. #RIPTimConway https://t.co/A5JPJTCHkm
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 14, 2019
Richard Lewis called him the “master.”
RIP Master. I was honored to make you laugh and be a friend.
As I spoke at Harvey Korman’s memorial that you oversaw, I said that without question, your work together was right next to Laurel&Hardy in craft and laughs. ??to your family. RL https://t.co/0zKWdLkBJK— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) May 14, 2019
Here are more reactions from Hollywood, leading with Patricia Heaton’s funny story about the flight they took together and Tom Bergeron talking about the time he made Conway laugh:
Safe travels to my fellow Clevelander Tim Conway. A huge talent. We were once on the same plane and joked about who would get top billing in the news if the plane went down. #RIPTimConway https://t.co/ODQ44kvW6V
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) May 14, 2019
A Tim Conway memory #RIPTimConway pic.twitter.com/ACcqnrMzHn
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) May 14, 2019
Rest in peace to the hilarious and kindhearted, Tim Conway. I had the pleasure of knowing him. pic.twitter.com/M6WTw6UXnc
— Larry King (@kingsthings) May 14, 2019
Tim Conway, Comedian and ‘Carol Burnett Show’ Star Has Left For Paris @variety https://t.co/RzrpAwHyhE pic.twitter.com/X054E4qmrp
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) May 14, 2019
I used to laugh til I cried watching the great Tim Conway. What a seriously funny man. RIP. ?? https://t.co/xGFrh9N9fF
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) May 14, 2019
Genius. #RIPTimConway https://t.co/40EpNaO47I
— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) May 14, 2019
This man was such a gift. His work on the Carol Burnett Show was pure joy. I got a chance to meet him once and his kindness matched his talent. Thank you Tim Conway. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/ov624ZMbj1
— Tony Hale (@MrTonyHale) May 14, 2019
You loved everyone you met and we loved you back. You were funny off-camera without always being "on." You were a gentleman without a single mark against your good name. You were a comedy giant in the nice, compact-sized version. I will miss you... Rest in peace, Tim Conway. pic.twitter.com/xpHIGcycdC
— RUTH BUZZI (@Ruth_A_Buzzi) May 14, 2019
The first time I can remember laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe was watching Tim Conway on the Carol Burnett show. Every character infused with a lovable crazy that broke me week after week. Timing, commitment and roll on the floor funny. Love Tim Conway, comic genius, RIP.
— Christopher Titus (@TitusNation) May 14, 2019
Sad to read of the passing of Tim Conway. Both Tim AND Harvey Korman couldn't have been any nicer AND funnier. Now together again making each other laugh. RIP pic.twitter.com/1PmgeP4tYr
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) May 14, 2019
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tim Conway. His comedic genius inspired many. Rest in power, funny man. ??
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) May 14, 2019
Tim Conway made me laugh. A great gift and talent. Carol, my friend, my hand in yours as you miss him. pic.twitter.com/BGGjBzJRfg
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) May 14, 2019
Mom took Tim Conway & his first wife Maryann under her wing when they came out to LA, which meant they were at the house a lot when I was a teenager-she was always cooking for them. He was a really nice man who happened to be hysterical. Man could he make my dad laugh! So funny! pic.twitter.com/GUb2T2mtQ7
— Rose Marie-Official (@RoseMarie4Real) May 14, 2019
So sad to hear of the passing of #TimConway at 85. His Dentist sketch with Harvey Korman on the #CarolBurnett Show is still one of the funniest 9:00 you will watch on TV. Do yourself a favor and watch in his honor pic.twitter.com/xHJJEWTi46
— Al Roker (@alroker) May 14, 2019
Carol Burnett Show outtakes - Tim Conway's Elephant Story https://t.co/uPbsCdf4nC via @YouTube. RIP the great Tim Conway.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 14, 2019
Conway’s later work included voicing a character on SpongeBob SquarePants and the show paid tribute to its Barnacle Boy.
We are sad to learn Tim Conway, the legendary voice of Barnacle Boy, has passed away. Thank you for everything you contributed to Bikini Bottom pic.twitter.com/gQxFuqun1H
— SpongeBob (@SpongeBob) May 14, 2019
Conway was survived by his second wife Charlene Fusco, whom he married in 1984. They have seven children between them. The star’s death came as Fusco and Conway’s daughter were fighting over his care.
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