Wikipedia

Tom Smothers

Thomas Bolyn Smothers III(February 2, 1937 – December 26, 2023) was an American comedian, actor, composer, and musician, widely known as half of the musical comedy duo theSmothers Brothers,alongside his younger brotherDick.In the 1960s they were known for their network comedy and variety shows,The Smothers Brothers ShowandThe Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Tom Smothers
Publicity photo of Tom Smothers in 1967
Smothers in 1967
Born
Thomas Bolyn Smothers III

(1937-02-02)February 2, 1937
New York City, U.S.
DiedDecember 26, 2023(2023-12-26)(aged 86)
Santa Rosa, California,U.S.
EducationSan Jose State University
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • musician
  • composer
  • actor
Years active1959–2010, 2019
Spouses
Stephanie Shorr
​
​
(m.1963;div.1967)​
Rochelle Robley
​
​
(m.1974;div.1976)​
Marcy Carriker
​
(m.1990)​
Children3
RelativesDick Smothers(brother)
Musical career
GenresFolk
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Formerly of

Smothers andJohn Lennonplayed acoustic guitar during the live recording of Lennon's 1969 song "Give Peace a Chance".[1]

Early life

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Thomas Bolyn Smothers III was born on February 2, 1937, at theFort Jayarmy post hospital onGovernors Islandin New York City, the son of Ruth (néeRemick), a homemaker, and Major Thomas B. Smothers, aUnited States Armyofficer who died aPOWof the Japanese in April 1945.[2]The younger Smothers later grew up inAltadena,Tujunga,andRedondo Beach, California.[3]

As a child, Smothers played guitar and pianoby eardue to difficulty readingsheet music;Smothers would be diagnosed withdyslexiaat age 31.[4][5]Beginning in fifth grade, he played guitar in bands formed with friends and began incorporating humor with his music and in-school interactions.[4][6]Athletically, he grew up competing ingymnastics.[7]

Smothers first attendedVerdugo Hills High Schoolbefore transferring toRedondo Union High Schoolas a senior. At Redondo Beach, he and his brother sang in the school's madrigal choir, Tom as a bass and Dick as a tenor; Tom graduated from Redondo Union in 1955.[2][8]Smothers then enrolled at San Jose State College (nowSan Jose State University) in 1956 as an advertising major and competed atpole vaulton the track team as a freshman in 1956–57.[9][10]Then in 1957–58, Smothers competed on the gymnastics team, where he tied for first place on theparallel barsat the 1958 State College Gymnastics Championships.[11]

Career

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Inspired by the popularity ofThe Kingston Trio's "Tom Dooley",the Smothers Brothers initially wanted to be folk musicians.[12][13]

After Dick transferred to San Jose State in 1957, Tom and Dick began performing music at San Jose nightclubs, with audiences mostly of other college students.[14][9]In January 1959, the Smothers brothers were discovered by a detective who became their first manager and invited them to an audition at the Purple Onion, a nightclub inSan Francisco.[15]The following month, the brothers left San Jose State to focus full-time on working in entertainment, after the Purple Onion asked them to substitute for other acts who were ill.[16][17]Their show was so successful that the Purple Onion extended their original two-week contract to 16 weeks; the brothers returned to the Purple Onion for another 16-week contract after playing aLake Tahoeclub in the summer of 1959.[18]

In February 1960, the Smothers Brothers made their professional debut atAspen, Colorado.[19]Tom recalled in 2006 interview:

I did all the introductions. I'd just make up stuff for every song. And Dickie said, "Why don't you try repeating some of that stuff?" I said, "I don't know." I didn't know that you could repeat the stuff. And I started repeating it and Dickie would say, "That's wrong." And pretty soon he'd say, "That's wrong, you're stupid." It sort of became an argument.[12]

Tom's first foray into the medium of television was as a regular onThe Steve Allen Showin 1961. He followed that role with a single episode ofBurke's Law.

The Smothers Brothers next appeared on theCBSsitcomThe Smothers Brothers Showfrom 1965 to 1966. Tom felt that the show did not play to the brothers' strengths[12]and wanted creative control over their next venture.

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hourand aftermath

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Tom with Dick Smothers in a publicity photo forThe Smothers Brothers Comedy Hourin 1968

Tom Smothers negotiated creative control over their next CBS show, a variety show titledThe Smothers Brothers Comedy Hourin 1967. The brothers had conflicts with the CBSstandards and practicesdepartment with jokes about religion, recreational drugs, sex, and theVietnam War,topics considered taboo on primetime television of the era.[20][6]The brothers' political action on the air led to their show's demise,[21]withDavid Steinberglater claiming "The most innovative variety show on television shut down because of political pressure."[22]In 2006, Tom revealed that he and his brother actually disagreed on politics.[12]During the same years, Tom recorded mainstream songs, such as "Can't Help Falling in Love with You". Tom later stated, "When the Smothers Brothers came on the air we had no political point of view or social consciousness, it just evolved as the show was on the air."[23]

Rock and Roll, "Give Peace a Chance"

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Smothers introduced some musical acts at theMonterey Pop Festivalin 1967.[24]As he became more politically active, he befriended similarly inclined celebrities likeJohn Lennon.[25]

In 1969, Smothers and Lennon played acoustic guitars on Lennon's recording of his single "Give Peace a Chance"(Smothers' name was also mentioned in the song).[26]The song was written and performed during Lennon's andYoko Ono's "Bed-in"honeymoonon June 1, 1969, in Room 1742 at theQueen Elizabeth HotelinMontreal, Quebec,Canada. Smothers can be seen in the hotel room in the 1988 documentary filmImagine: John Lennon.

Political involvement

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Dick (left) and Tom Smothers in August 1988

AfterComedy Hourwas canceled, Smothers became outspoken in politics.

I lost perspective, my sense of humor. I became a poster boy for theFirst Amendment,freedom of speech, and I started buying into it. It was about three years when I was deadly serious about everything.... I'm still politically active, I'm still angry, but I've got it in the right position now.[12]

In the 1970s, Smothers mockedBill Cosbyfor not taking a stand on political issues of the day, such ascivil rights.

At the time I was very volatile, and thought everyone should take a stand. I guess I said something that really pissed him. For a couple years after that, I'd say, 'Hiya Bill, how ya doing?' and he wouldn't shake hands with me – you know, like, 'Fuck off.'[27]

In October 1976, Cosby and Smothers attended aPlayboy Mansionparty. The tension between the two culminated in Cosby punching Smothers in the head.[27]

Smothers's politics were in marked contrast to those of his brother Dick, whom Tom described as "moreconservative".Tom publicly criticizedDemocraticpresidentLyndon B. Johnsonand his involvement in and perpetuation of the Vietnam War. Tom stated in 2006 that the duo's real-life political and philosophical differences were a key part of their ability to maintain their act for as long as they did.[12]

Film roles

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In motion pictures, Smothers portrayed corporate-executive-turned-tap-dancing-magician Donald Beeman inBrian De Palma's 1972 film,Get to Know Your Rabbit.He also played a banker inSilver Bears.He later portrayed Reverend Spike inSerial(1980).

In 1973, he voiced Ted E. Bear (Theodore Edward Bear) in theDePatie-FrelengNBCanimated Christmas specialThe Bear Who Slept Through Christmas.Ten years later, he voiced Ted E. Bear again for itsHalloweensequelThe Great Bear Scare.

In 1980, Smothers starred in the filmThere Goes the Bride.In 1982, he played with an ensemble cast inPandemoniumin which he was a braveCanadian Mountiechasing down a serial killer at a cheerleader camp. In 1983 he appeared in an episode of the UK TV seriesTales of the Unexpected.[28]He also voiced one of the characters in the cartoon Christmas moviePrecious Moments: Timmy's Special Deliveryin 1993.

Later work

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Smothers in 2011

The Smothers Brothers hosted the NBC sketch comedy showSaturday Night Livein 1982, with a parody ofThe Tonight Showas its opening sketch, with Tom playing Johnny Carson, interviewing Dick. The sketch derailed after Tom (in character as Johnny) tried to goad Dick into talking more about Tom.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the brothers turned to television commercials, filming spots forKentucky Fried ChickenandPlanterspeanuts, in which Tom invoked his famous line, "Mom always did like you best!". Tom made a solo endorsement forCheetos.

In 2007, Tom and Dick Smothers filmed a series of 30-second commercials and promotional spots for theRiver Rock CasinoinGeyserville, California.[29]

To augment their act in recent years, "Yo-Yo Man" became part of their shows. Tom Smothers had created the mostly non-speaking character in the late 1960s, a comedic performer of tricks using ayo-yo.The term "Yo-Yo Man" is registered in his name.[30]In their 2008 tour, Yo-Yo Man was listed as the group's opening act.

In 2008, during the 60th PrimetimeEmmy Awards,Smothers was awarded a special Emmy. In 1969, when he was head writer ofThe Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,the writing staff was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedic Series. Smothers had refused to let his name be on the list of writers nominated for the Emmy because he felt his name was too contentious. The award at the 2008 ceremony was presented bySteve Martin,one of the writers who originally won the award.[31]

In December 2009, Tom and Dick both guest starred ina 21st-season episodeofThe Simpsonsthat also featuredCooper,Peyton,andEli Manning.[32]

The Smothers Brothers announced in May 2010 that their shows atThe Orleansnear Las Vegas would be "farewell performances" marking their retirement from touring.[33][21]

On May 6, 2011, theAmerican Civil Liberties Union's Sonoma County chapter honored Smothers with its Jack Green Civil Liberties Award for his work against television censorship and for speaking out for peace and civil liberties.[34]

Tom and Dick Smothers reunited in 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary ofThe Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour'sabrupt cancellation.[35]

On December 11, 2022, in an episode ofCBS News Sunday Morning,the brothers announced they would go on tour in 2023.[36]

Personal life

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Smothers was the owner ofRemick Ridge VineyardsinSonoma County, California,which he established in 1977 and sold in 2023.[37]Smothers and his wife, Marcy Carriker, have two children, Bo (born 1991) and Riley Rose (born 1996). He also had a son from his first marriage, Thomas Bolyn Smothers IV (Tom Jr.),[38]who died in April 2023; and one grandson, Phoenix Parrish-Smothers.[39]Tom and Dick had a sister, Sherry, born in September 1941 inPasadena, California;she died in April 2023.[40]

In 2023, Smothers announced he had been diagnosed with stage twolung cancer.[41]He died from the disease at his home inSanta Rosa, California,on December 26, 2023, at age 86.[2][42]

See also

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References

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Works cited
  • Bianculli, David(2009).Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.New York: Touchstone.ISBN978-1-4391-0116-2.
Notes
  1. ^"John Lennon + Yoko Ono: Give Peace A Chance".beatles.ncf.ca.
  2. ^abcGrimes, William (December 27, 2023)."Tom Smothers, Comic Half of the Smothers Brothers, Dies at 86".The New York Times.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
  3. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 4, 7, 12–13
  4. ^abBianculli 2009,p. 11-12
  5. ^Stambler, Lyndon (December 13, 2017)."Dick Smothers and Tom Smothers: Hall of Fame Tribute".Television Academy.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  6. ^abZucco, Tom (November 5, 2000)."The Zen of Tommy Smothers".St. Petersburg Times.Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2001.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  7. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 8, 11
  8. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 7, 13–14
  9. ^abBianculli 2009,pp. 14–15
  10. ^1957 La Torre, Centennial Edition.San Jose State College. 1957. p. 205.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  11. ^1958 La Torre.San Jose State College. 1958. p. 200.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  12. ^abcdefMacpherson, Guy (July 22, 2006)."Tommy Smothers".The Comedy Couch. Archived fromthe originalon August 7, 2020.
  13. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 15–16
  14. ^Briley, Ron (2003)."Smothers, Thomas (" Tom ") and Smothers, Richard (" Dick ")".Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Thematic Series: The 1960s.Charles Scribern's Sons.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024– via Encyclopedia.
  15. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 16–17
  16. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 17–18
  17. ^"Tom, Dick Smothers Offer Humor".The Spartan Daily.Vol. 53, no. 100. April 14, 1966. p. 4.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  18. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 19–20
  19. ^Bianculli 2009,p. 23
  20. ^Bianculli 2009,pp. 155–168
  21. ^abCorbin, April (May 17, 2010)."End of an era: Smothers Brothers announce retirement".Las Vegas Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  22. ^"The Smothers Brothers: A 'Dangerously Funny' Pair".NPR. November 30, 2009.
  23. ^"Tom Smothers Interview".Archived fromthe originalon April 15, 2004.
  24. ^Gilliland, John(1969)."Show 47 – Sergeant Pepper at the Summit: The very best of a very good year. [Part 3]"(audio).Pop Chronicles.University of North Texas Libraries.
  25. ^"A Chat with Tom Smothers, Tom Smothers interview, Smothers Brothers".bullz-eye.
  26. ^"John Lennon + Yoko Ono: Give Peace A Chance".beatles.ncf.ca.
  27. ^ab"The Case of Bill Cosby vs. Tommy Smothers' Head".WFMU's Beware of the Blog.
  28. ^"Your Saturday Entertainment Guide".Coventry Evening Telegraph.August 11, 1984. p. 9.
  29. ^"Smothers Brothers to Star in Commercials for River Rock Casino"(PDF).Indian Gaming.March 2007.RetrievedMarch 15,2010.
  30. ^Lythgoe, Dennis (November 4, 1994)."The Real Yo-Yo Man's a S.L. Man".DeseretNews.Archived fromthe originalon October 17, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  31. ^Leopold, Todd (September 21, 2008)."'Mad Men' wins best drama, '30 Rock' best comedy ".CNN.Archived fromthe originalon September 22, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 21,2008.
  32. ^Walker, Dave (August 7, 2009)."Add Cooper to Manning brothers' voices on 'The Simpsons'".The Times-Picayune.NOLA. Archived fromthe originalon October 19, 2015.RetrievedAugust 8,2009.
  33. ^Friess, Steve (May 18, 2010)."Tom Smothers Explains Duo's Sudden Retirement".AOL News. Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
  34. ^Sonoma Civil LibertiesArchivedMay 16, 2011, at theWayback Machine,Winter 2011, #60, p. 1-2.
  35. ^Kennedy, Mark (July 30, 2019)."The Smothers Brothers mark their CBS firing 50 years ago".Associated Press.RetrievedAugust 5,2019.
  36. ^Cowan, Lee; Morgan, David (December 11, 2022)."The Smothers Brothers are back, taking their show on the road".CBS News.RetrievedDecember 12,2022.
  37. ^Natale, Brittany (November 9, 2023)."Funnyman Tom Smothers Sells His California Wine Country Ranch for $7.2M".Real Estate News & Insights.RetrievedNovember 9,2023.
  38. ^"The Smothers Brothers Biography".SmothersBrothers.Archived fromthe originalon January 31, 2020.
  39. ^"Thomas Smothers Obituary – Davis Funeral Homes Rainbow Chapel Rainbow Chapel – 2023".Legacy.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
  40. ^"Sherry L. Smothers".Sarasota Herald Tribune.May 7, 2023.RetrievedDecember 28,2023.
  41. ^Cowan, Lee; Morgan, David (July 9, 2023)."Catching up with the Smothers Brothers".CBS News.RetrievedJuly 9,2023.
  42. ^France, Lisa (December 27, 2023)."Tom Smothers, one half of famed comedy duo, dies at 86".CNN.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
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