Tim Conway, a fixture in TV and movie comedies of the '60s and '70s who brought his costars to hysterical tears of laughter on "The Carol Burnett Show," has died. He was 85.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Conway's rep confirmed that the actor passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Recent reports indicated that Conway suffered from dementia, and was unable to speak after undergoing brain surgery in September.

The affable actor, who won five Emmys for acting and writing throughout his career, got his start in radio before transitioning to TV, where a chance encounter with "Dick Van Dyke Show" star Rose Marie connected him to TV star Steve Allen, and a stint on Allen's series. That led to Conway landing the role of Ensign Charles Parker on "McHale's Navy," which ran for four seasons beginning in 1962, and spawned two feature films.

But Conway is perhaps best remembered for his frequent appearances on "The Carol Burnett Show" (he joined as a regular cast member in 1975), where he made it his mission to make his costars break down in fits of laughter. According to Conway, his frequent target, Harvey Korman, one time wet his pants from laughing so hard at Conway's antics.

Though Conway didn't find much success headlining his own television series once "Burnett" ended in 1978, he appeared on numerous other shows throughout his decades-long career, including "Newhart," "The Golden Palace," "Cybill," "Married … With Children," "The Larry Sanders Show," "The Drew Carey Show," "Clueless," "7th Heaven," "Mad About You," "Diagnosis Murder," "Yes, Dear," "Two and a Half Men," and "Mike & Molly," among many more. He won guest-acting Emmys for appearances on "Coach" and "30 Rock," and connected with younger audiences with his regular role of Barnacle Boy on "SpongeBob SquarePants."

In addition to his television work, his film roles included "McHale's Navy," "McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force," "The World's Greatest Athlete," "The Apple Dumpling Gang," "Gus," "The Shaggy D.A.," "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again," "The Prize Fighter," The Private Eyes," and "The Longshot."

Conway is survived by his seven children, and his wife, Charlene.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]