It was one memorable December when the Conway family Christmas tree was missing its star, and legendary comedian Tim Conway decided to take matters into his own hands. “He told us, ‘Go get me a roll of toilet paper, some glue, and scissors,’” recalls Kelly Conway in an exclusive interview with Closer. Tim then crafted an 8 x 10 photo of himself, glued it onto the toilet paper, and declared himself the star of the Christmas tree. “He said, ‘I’m the star on top of the Christmas tree, so now we don’t need to find another one!’” Kelly shares with a laugh.
A Life Full of Laughter and Love
Tim Conway, the beloved funnyman from The Carol Burnett Show, brought not only laughter to millions but also created a joyful childhood for Kelly and her five siblings. “My dad was just as funny, happy, smart, and mischievous as you saw him on TV,” Kelly says. “He dedicated so much time to keeping us entertained.” As Tim’s health began to decline in his 80s, Kelly unexpectedly found herself in a legal battle with her stepmother over his care. In her heartfelt new book, My Dad’s Funnier Than Your Dad: Growing Up With Tim Conway in the Funniest House in America, Kelly reflects on her loving memories of her father and the challenges she faced during his final year. “There were two girls that my dad loved deeply: his wife, and me,” she explains. “It’s heartbreaking how things turned out.”
Creating Joy, One Neighborhood Event at a Time
Tim and his first wife, Kelly’s mother Mary Anne Dalton, raised their family in Encino, California, away from the spotlight. Yet, their home became a hub of fun and laughter for the entire neighborhood. “My dad would announce, ‘Let’s have a swim meet,’ and invite every kid around,” Kelly reminisces. These impromptu gatherings included races, trophies, commemorative T-shirts, and even the Olympic theme song. “He made it a real event,” Kelly says with a smile. Even trips to the grocery store with Tim turned into adventures. “He’d challenge us, saying, ‘You go into one aisle, and I’ll go into the next. Whoever catches the most groceries I throw over the top gets $10,’” she shares. With six kids spanning just eight years, Tim worked tirelessly to keep them entertained and out of trouble.
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Midwestern Values in the Spotlight
Despite his fame, Tim ensured that his children were grounded in Midwestern values. Politeness and humility were essential, even when fans recognized him. “We’d go into a restaurant with a 45-minute wait, and they’d offer to seat us right away because of Dad’s fame,” Kelly recalls. “But my dad would always say, ‘Nope. We’re going to wait our turn like everyone else.’”
Tim’s generosity extended beyond his immediate family. When Kelly was on the cheerleading squad, he quietly donated a new sound system for the high school’s football stadium. “It wasn’t because he was rich,” Kelly explains. “He just wanted to make things better for everyone.”
Life Behind the Scenes
Every Thursday, the Conway family would drive to the studio to watch the dress rehearsal of The Carol Burnett Show. Kelly remembers those days fondly, playing with the children of other performers and sneaking around the lot. “Across the hall was The Sonny and Cher Show, and next door was Three’s Company,” she says. “I’d tell my mom I was going to the bathroom, but really, I was watching Sonny and Cher. I adored Cher, and John Ritter was always so kind to me. It felt like one big TV family.”
Changing Dynamics
Tim and Mary Anne divorced in 1978, and he married Charlene Fusco six years later. Kelly describes her early relationship with Charlene as close. “We were really close. We even traveled and went to dinners without my dad. He didn’t like Chinese food, so we’d joke, ‘See ya!’” she says with a chuckle. However, things changed after Tim was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus in 2018, a condition that causes dementia. Kelly wanted to be involved in her father’s care, but Charlene objected. The two went to court, and while the judge sided with Charlene, Kelly secured visitation rights through mediation. “I spoke to my dad every day. I just wanted to make sure he was comfortable and surrounded by love,” she says. “It wasn’t about money; it was about ensuring he had the best care possible.”
When Tim passed away in 2019, Charlene did not inform Kelly or her brothers. Kelly learned about it from her phone’s news feed. “I knew he was fading, but it was still shocking,” she says. “But I take comfort in knowing that I did everything I could to care for him, to make him smile, and to spend quality time with him.”
Kelly admits she hesitated about writing about those difficult days, but when her publisher announced the memoir’s release date—December 15—she felt a sense of peace. “That’s my dad’s birthday, and the publisher had no idea,” she says. “I took that as a sign, a blessing from him.”
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