Tom Smothers, half of the legendary Smothers Brothers combo, died on December 26, 2023, at his home in Santa Rosa, California. He was 86 years old at the time. Scroll down to see Tom Smothers’s Cause of Death.
Tom Smothers Cause of Death
Tom Smothers, 86, died on December 26, 2023, at his home in Santa Rosa, California. A fight with stage 2 lung cancer was the cause of death. On December 27, 2023, his family, represented by the National Comedy Center, issued a statement confirming his death.
Tom Smothers dead at 86: Comedy legend and one half of iconic comedy duo the Smothers Brothers passes away after battle with cancer
His brother Dick Smothers, 84, announced that his brother and co-star passed away at home surrounded by family in Sonoma County, California on… pic.twitter.com/r1kk8DQjnb
— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) December 27, 2023
Tom Smothers, half of the legendary comic duo the Smothers Brothers, made an indelible mark on the entertainment world, particularly through their trailblazing television show “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.”
The Smothers Brothers: A Legacy of Laughter and Controversy
Tom and Dick Smothers were born into a military family in New York City. Major Thomas B. Smothers, their father, was a POW in Japan and died in 1945. Growing up in California, the brothers developed a love of music and comedy. In the late 1950s, they began performing as a folk duo, combining songs with amusing banter and sibling rivalry.
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which broadcast on CBS from 1967 to 1969, catapulted them to popularity in the 1960s. The show, which featured sarcastic comedy, musical guests, and political commentary, was popular with the youthful and countercultural audience.
The brothers frequently struggled with network censors over contentious issues such as the Vietnam War, civil rights, drugs, and religion. They also provided a stage for newcomers like Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, and George Carlin.
After the brothers failed to comply with the network’s efforts to tone down their content, the show was canceled in 1969. In 1973, the brothers sued CBS for breach of contract and received a settlement.
The show is regarded as one of the most influential and pioneering series in television comedy history and has received numerous honors, including an Emmy, a Peabody, and a Grammy.
Tom Smothers: A Life of Creativity and Activism
After their show was canceled, the brothers continued to perform as a duo and as solo musicians. Other interests of Tom Smothers included writing, directing, composing, and acting.
He wrote and directed the movie Get to Know Your Rabbit, which starred Orson Welles and Tommy Smothers. He also wrote the music for Bill Cosby and Raquel Welch’s 1976 picture, Mother, Jugs, and Speed. He appeared in several films and television shows, including The Informant!, Pandemonium, and The Simpsons.
Tom Smothers was also an outspoken activist and advocate of several issues, including peace, the environment, and free speech. He was pals with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and he played guitar on “Give Peace a Chance” in 1969.
He also took part in several rallies, marches, and fundraisers for groups such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Tom Smothers had three children and was married three times. Stephanie Shorr was his first wife, whom he married in 1963 and divorced in 1967. Rochelle Robley was his second wife, whom he married in 1974 and divorced in 1976.
Marcy Carriker was his third wife, whom he married in 1990 and remained with until his death. He had two kids named Thomas and Bo, as well as a daughter named Riley.