How did Tom Smothers die? Actor comedian passes away at 86 after announcing tour in 2023
SANTA ROSE, CALIFORNIA: Tom Smothers, one-half of the renowned singing comedy duo, the Smothers Brothers, died on Tuesday in Santa Rosa, California, after battling cancer.
The National Comedy Center, representing the Smothers family, made the announcement.
Tom Smothers, aged 86, faced a health challenge in 2023 when he revealed his diagnosis of stage two lung cancer.
"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," brother Dick Smothers, 84, said in a statement.
"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.”
Smothers is survived by his brother Dick Smothers, children Bo and Riley Rose Smothers, their mother Marcy Carriker Smothers, grandson Phoenix and sister-in-law Marie Smothers.
Tom Smothers initially didn’t consider himself as a comedian
In an interview with CBS News, Tom Smothers revealed that he and his brother initially didn't identify as stand-up comedians but rather considered themselves folk singers.
Their entry into television began with their music, and the success of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' quickly followed.
Reflecting on their breakthrough, Dick Smothers expressed the sheer excitement, describing it as an overwhelming and unbelievable thrill.
Was Tom Smothers married?
Tom Smothers was married to Stephanie Owen in 1963, resulting in the birth of one child before their divorce in 1967.
Following his first marriage, Tom tied the knot for a second time. His most recent marriage was to Marcy Carriker, a television producer, on September 9, 1990.
The marriage with Marcy brought about the joy of raising two children together.
Why did the ‘Smothers Brothers’ get kicked off TV?
In an unexpected move, CBS abruptly pulled the plug on 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' in April 1969.
The reason behind this abrupt decision lay in the brothers' persistent and humorous stance against the Vietnam War, their vocal support for civil rights, and their penchant for tweaking authority.
The Smothers Brothers actively welcomed controversial anti-war guests and resisted attempts to censor their show.
Despite achieving popular success, the brothers' commitment to material that critiqued the political mainstream and aligned with the emerging counterculture proved to be a breaking point.
This ultimately led to their dismissal by the CBS network in 1969.
