Tom and Dick Smothers were never shy about expressing their support for civil rights and their opposition to the Vietnam War.
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Tom Smothers, one of the celebrated Smothers Brothers comedy and music duo, has passed away at the age of 86 due to an aggressive form of cancer, according to his family. The Smothers Brothers were known for their humor and addressing societal issues like racism and the Vietnam War. Tom’s contributions to comedy and social commentary have left a lasting legacy. Our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.
On Wednesday, Tom Smothers’ family and the National Comedy Center announced his passing at his residence in Santa Rosa, California.
In a heartfelt statement, Dick Smothers, aged 84 and the younger brother of Tom Smothers, expressed his emotions about Tom’s passing. He shared, “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.”
Tom and Dick Smothers were unafraid to use their platform to mock authority and support critics of the Vietnam War and advocates for civil rights during the 1960s. Their show, “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” began in 1967 but was famously canceled by CBS in April 1969 due to its consistent challenge to authority and controversial content.
During a 2019 event commemorating the 50-year anniversary of their show’s cancellation, the Smothers Brothers, renowned for their humor, shared a light-hearted perspective on their place in pop culture history. Tom Smothers playfully commented to The Associated Press, “It’s an honor to be honored this way. At least we’re both alive and not having someone speak for us. We can mumble our own way through.”
Reflecting on the 1969 CBS termination, Dick Smothers expressed that, despite the criticism, they viewed their comedy as relatively harmless. He remarked, “Don’t tell a comedian not to say a certain word. For sure they’ll do it. The funny thing is, I look back at those things. They’re so benign, but at the time they were volatile.”
In 2004, Tom Smothers expressed doubt about whether American audiences could handle direct political discussions on prime-time TV. He observed that despite the prevalence of explicit language, sex, and violence, there appeared to be a lack of social commentary.
Thomas Bolyn Smothers III was born on Feb. 2, 1937, on Governors Island in New York. His mother, Ruth Remick Smothers, was a homemaker, and his father, Army Maj. Thomas Smothers, unfortunately passed away as a prisoner of war during World War II.
Following their move to suburban Los Angeles, both brothers graduated from San José State before embarking on their career in comedy and music. They honed their skills at renowned clubs such as San Francisco’s Purple Onion and New York’s Blue Angel.
Despite the brothers’ initial success, mainstream platforms were hesitant about their folk music. Tom Smothers recounted how luck played a role in them appearing on “The Tonight Show” hosted by Jack Paar in 1964. Despite Paar’s reservations about folk singers, a fortunate cancellation gave them the opportunity. After CBS ended their show, the Smothers Brothers continued to work steadily for many years.
In 1969, Tom Smothers played the guitar in a Montreal hotel room while John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded “Give Peace a Chance.”
While they didn’t achieve the same widespread popularity as “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” the duo became iconic for using comedy to address serious issues.
Reflecting on their impact in 2019, Tom Smothers stated, “We didn’t plan it. Nobody goes to war and wants to get hurt on purpose.”
Journey Gunderson, the Executive Director of the National Comedy Center, highlighted that shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show” draw inspiration from the Smothers Brothers.
Gunderson stated, “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.”
In his later years, when not challenging the status quo with music or comedy, Tom Smothers pursued winemaking in the Sonoma Valley through his Remick Ridge Vineyards, named after his mother.
He eventually sold the vineyard to Arrowhead Winery, but the family’s name still graces some cabernet available today. A bottle of the 2018 Smothers-Remick Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is priced at $105.
Surviving Tom Smothers are his brother, Dick; two children, Bo and Riley Rose Smothers; their mother, Marcy Carriker Smothers; a grandson named Phoenix; and sister-in-law Marie Smothers, as reported by the National Comedy Center.
