Tom Smothers, half of the comedy group the Smothers Brothers, has died at the age of 86.
Smothers was described as “not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life”, but as “a one-of-a-kind creative partner”, according to a statement by his brother Dick Smothers on Wednesday shared by the National Comedy Center.
Dick also shared that Tom, who died after a battle with cancer, was at home with his family when he died.
Tom, along with Dick, performed in a folk musical comedy duo, and became known for their controversial political satire. Their variety show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which ran from 1967 to 1969, was famously pulled by CBS after the two took a stance against the Vietnam war and were in favor of civil rights in their performances.
Although Tom and Dick successfully sued CBS after it cancelled their show, and proved they did not breach their contract, the program never returned to air.
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick said in the statement shared by the National Comedy Center. “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.”
In a 2019 interview shared by All Arts TV, Tom reflected on the cancellation of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and said: “Fifty years later, I look back on us being fired, and I’m still pissed off.”
Also in 2019, the National Comedy Center brought Tom and Dick out of retirement and on stage to honor their contributions to comedy. Journey Gunderson, the center’s executive director, lauded the brother’s achievements and comedic prowess in a statement shared on Facebook on Wednesday.
“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,” said Gunderson. “We are honored to preserve Tom’s remarkable work and legacy here at the National Comedy Center for generations to come.”
The Smothers Brothers’ show birthed the careers of other famous comedians, including Steve Martin and Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, who were writers on the show. Tom and Dick grew up in California and began performing together shortly after attending San Jose University.
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A private memorial for Tom will be held in 2024. A private memorial service for family and friends will also take place in 2024.
Tom is survived by his wife, Marcy Carriker Smothers; children Bo and Riley Rose Smothers; grandson Phoenix; sister-in-law Marie Smothers; several nephews and nieces; and his younger brother, Dick.