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Tadeusz Wladyslaw Konopka

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Managing Real Estate Broker with Fathom Realty PB00068179

Tadeusz Wladyslaw Konopka was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut back in 1923 to Charles and Sophia.  He dropped out of high school to enlist in the United States Army in World War II, he was a member of A Company, 296th Combat Engineer Battalion.  He earned five battle stars while serving in the European Theatre.

Postwar he studied acting in Hartford, Connecticut.  He became proficient with puppets and ventriloquism.  He spent most of 1950’s and 1960’s doing commercial voice-overs and playing minor television and movie roles.  He received six Emmy Award nominations for his performance by an actor in a supporting role in comedy.  He appeared in a few episodes of The Love Boat.  His final big-screen role was in the 1980 comedy Caddyshack.  He died in 1986 from colon cancer, he was 62.

While you may not recognize the birth name, for those of you old enough, giving away my age here, surely you know his stage name Ted Knight?

Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today

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NW Arkansas the home of WalMart, JB Hunt Trucking and Tyson Foods.

 

Come for a visit stay for a lifetime.  

 

URL http://www.sellnwa.com 

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, James Dray 

 

Mar 05, 2021 03:59 AM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning James,

He brought many a smile and would be an asset in today's world as well.

Make yourself an astonishing day.

Mar 05, 2021 04:09 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi James Dray - I really remember him in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Mar 05, 2021 04:26 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I loved his role in Caddyshack, such a classic for sure!  I don't think I could properly pronounce his given name, haha.

Mar 05, 2021 04:36 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, James, for sharing this story.

Take care, be safe and have a great day.

Mar 05, 2021 04:59 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning James. His sens of timing was very unique. And yes, I remember him well. Age has some advantages. Enjoy your day.

Mar 05, 2021 05:11 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I should have guessed, James... but I didn't. I do remember how much I liked Ted Knight, especially on the Mary Tyler Moore show.

Mar 05, 2021 05:11 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

James,

I knew it had to be an actor with that long name.  How did they come up with Ted Knight?  A

Mar 05, 2021 05:12 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Ron and Alexandra Seigel hi Alexandra... Tadeusz is Polish for Ted. The Knight I can't comment on.

Mar 05, 2021 06:27 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Nina Hollander said exactly what I was going to say James Dray . He had a great voice and was cast well in MTM.

Mar 05, 2021 06:16 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Good morning James Dray I wondered when you were in the Knights, when you would get to Ted

Mar 05, 2021 07:29 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

You were right I might not be able to pronounce his birth name but I sure recognize his stage name and enjoyed his performances on the Mary Tyler Moore show James Dray 

Mar 05, 2021 08:24 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I remember seeing Caddyshack in the movies. He was awesome and that was one of the funniest movies ever  :)

Mar 05, 2021 10:47 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi James- you brought a big smile to my face!!! I loved the MTM show and loved him on it. 

Mar 05, 2021 11:22 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the role of Ted Baxter on the Mary Tyler Moore show. His zany wit & crazy antics are what made that show so popular.

Mar 05, 2021 12:40 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon James Dray ,

I read Rocky Dickerson's post with the film clip in it of Ted Knight. He was hysterical! Loved him as Ted Baxter on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Thank you for for drawing attention to this witty actor!

Mar 05, 2021 02:24 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I loved Ted Knight on the Mary Tyler Moore Show!! This was all news to me until the big reveal!

Jeff

Mar 05, 2021 11:14 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Wow hard to believe he died at age 62 he always looked older to me who would have immagined that I would outlive his years...Endre

Mar 05, 2021 11:25 PM
Barbara Tattersall
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan (Keene,NH) - Keene, NH
GRI

Hi James,

He was a funny, funny guy! He really didn't even have to speak. He could be hilarious with a look. I didn't realize he was so young when he passed away.

Mar 06, 2021 04:33 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I had no idea Ted Knight wasn't Ted's actual name. He was a hoot! Very funny.

Mar 06, 2021 05:46 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I loved Ted Knight on the Mary Tyler Moore show!

Sep 07, 2021 02:16 PM