Tim Conway + Disney = Fun, Fun, Fun

I’m sitting at the computer – and I’m ecstatic!
I’ve just gotten off the phone with Tim Conway, one of my all-time favorite actors. It was a joy and loads of fun to participate in a 30-minute telephone interview with him. Thanks a bunch to Beth at rolemommy for making the arrangements.
Now, for a bit of background: All during December, Turner Classic Movies is presenting some of Disney’s best family movies, including those in which Conway acted. He starred in “The Apple Dumpling Gang,” “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again,” “The Shaggy DA” and “The World Greatest Athlete.”
A lot of our conversation centered around Disney, family movies, family values, his career and some of his best friends.
Conway said one reason he really enjoyed doing the two Apple Dumpling movies was the opportunity to work with one of his long-time friends, Don Knotts. Another reason he gave was that it was “a pleasure to work there (at Disney). No nudity, no violence.”
The actor turns 75 this month and he remains quite active. He has “Little Leo’s Big Adventure” coming out soon and he shared that we’ll see more of his hilarious Dorf character on the Christian Network.
Conway is a funny interview subject. When asked what he might have pursued had he not gone into entertainment, he said he would have been a jockey but added that he didn’t know he was supposed to actually be on the horse when it left the gate.
He told about shopping in a store one day. Another shopper came in and apparently mistook Conway for a clerk in the store. She asked, “Where’s your underwear?” So, he showed her.
Conway reflected on some of his skits on “The Carol Burnett Show.” His favorite (and one of mine also) is the dentist skit. He was one of the writers for the show and he often strayed from the script. His ad-libs caused fellow actors to laugh uncontrollably.
With movies, he said he was glad he turned down some roles and that he never really turned down something that he later wished he had taken.
His personal friends have included Don Knotts, Bob Newhart and Harvey Korman.
If you have access to a computer, go to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com. Type in Tim Conway in the search bar. Watch his funniest clips and laugh your heart out.
Don’t forget to catch him and other great stars throughout December on Turner Classic Movies. These are fantastic movies for families at all times, but especially during the holidays.