COMEDIAN TOM SMOTHERS, HALF OF THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS, DIES AGED 86
COMEDIAN TOM SMOTHERS, HALF OF THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS, DIES AGED 86
Comedian Tom Smothers, half of the Smothers Brothers, dies aged 86
Tom Smothers, best known as half of the comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, has died aged 86.
The comedian died on Boxing Day in Santa Rosa, California following a battle with cancer, the National Comedy Center announced on behalf of his family today (Wednesday December, 27).
His brother Dick Smothers, 84, said in a statement: ‘Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner.
‘I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years.
‘Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.’
om and Dick began performing as the Smothers Brothers in 1959 before landing a CBS show, titled The Smothers Brothers, which ran for one year, and then The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from 1967 for three series and launched the careers of stars including Only Murders In The Building’s Steve Martin and New Girl’s Rob Reiner.
It also showcased new musical artists such as George Harrison, Cream, the Who, Harry Belafonte, Simon and Garfunkel and Ray Charles.
The show was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, taking home a prize both in 1968 and 1969.
In 2010, the pair were inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame following the success of their TV variety programme decades earlier.
Paying tribute, Journey Gunderson, executive director at the National Comedy Centre, said: ‘Tom Smothers was not only an extraordinary comedic talent, who, together with his brother Dick, became the most enduring comedy duo in history, entertaining the world for over six decades, but was a true champion for freedom of speech, harnessing the power of comedy to push boundaries and our political consciousness.
‘Tom was a true pioneer who changed the face of television and transformed our culture with The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which satirised politics, combatted racism, protested the Vietnam War, and led the way for Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, today’s network late night shows, and so much more.
‘We were proud to bring Tom and Dick out of retirement and reunite them on stage in 2019 to celebrate their legendary careers, and we are honoured to preserve Tom’s remarkable work and legacy here at the National Comedy Centre for generations to come.’
Tom is survived by Dick, his children Bo and Riley Rose Smothers, grandson Phoenix, Marcy Carriker Smothers, sister-in-law Marie Smothers, and several nephews and a niece.
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