Tim Conway, also known as the Dentist, the Oldest Man, or simply Mr. Tudball, was a regular on The Carol Burnett Show, particularly in the last few seasons. Conway had been in poor health for many years before passing away on May 14, 2019, at the age of 85, from the disease Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. This disease is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the brain, which can result in symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s Disease, such as unresponsiveness and dementia, among others. Conway had brain surgery in 2018 to relieve the pressure, but it was insufficient to stop the disease.

Tim Conway, also known as the Dentist, the Oldest Man, or simply Mr. Tudball, was a regular on The Carol Burnett Show, particularly in the last few seasons. Conway had been in poor health for many years before passing away on May 14, 2019, at the age of 85, from the disease Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. This disease is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the brain, which can result in symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s Disease, such as unresponsiveness and dementia, among others. Conway had brain surgery in 2018 to relieve the pressure, but it was insufficient to stop the disease.

From there, Conway appeared on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, Rango, The Chevy Chase Show, and hosted 12 episodes of his own TV show, The Tim Conway Show, in 1970. Conway’s most notable appearance, however, was on The Carol Burnett Show. While Conway has appeared as a guest star on the show since its inception, many people are unaware that he was not a cast member until 1975, when the show’s original star, Lyle Waggoner, left. Conway’s main comedy goal on the show, which he seemed to accomplish almost every episode, was to make the other characters break character by cracking them up. Conway frequently improvised lines to achieve this goal and was frequently responsible for the actors on set losing it.

Carol Burnett was the best at avoiding this, but even she couldn’t escape Conway’s unassuming wit and quick thinking when it came to hilarious lines. Burnett claimed it was his mission to “destroy” costar Harvey Korman, and Conway claimed that in the famous “Dentist” sketch, Korman can be seen laughing so hard that he wets his pants. His contributions to the show, both writing and acting, earned him four Emmy nominations. Conway played Dorf, a diminutive Swedish golfer, in a series of shorts and bit parts beginning in the 1980s. Conway achieved the illusion of shorter stature by standing in a hole with fake shoes attached to his knees, which is why you never see his legs behind him as in so many other comedy skits of this type.

Conway was married to Mary Ann Dalton, the mother of six of his children, from 1961 to 1978. Conway remarried in 1986, and his second marriage to Charlene Fusco produced one stepchild. Conway is survived by all seven of his children, two grandchildren, and his wife, Charlene. Conway continued to act until a few years ago, including some voice acting (including Spongebob Squarepants). Conway won two more Emmys for guest appearances on Coach and 30 Rock before his health deteriorated and he retired from acting. Carol Burnett spoke on his death saying that she was “heartbroken” over the loss and that “He was one in a million, not only as a brilliant comedian but as a loving human being.

I treasure the times we spent together, both on and off the screen. He will live on in my heart forever.” In the video below, you can see one of his most beloved characters, Mr. Tudball.