Tom Smothers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Smothers
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Smothers in 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas Bolyn Smothers III |
| Born | February 2, 1937 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 26, 2023 (aged 86) Santa Rosa, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, musician, composer, actor |
| Instruments | guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1959–2010, 2019 |
Thomas Bolyn Smothers III (born February 2, 1937 – died December 26, 2023) was an American comedian, composer, and musician. He was best known as one half of the musical comedy duo, the Smothers Brothers. His younger brother, Dick, was the other half.
Tom Smothers also played acoustic guitar with John Lennon. This happened during the recording of Lennon's famous 1969 song "Give Peace a Chance".
Contents
Early Life and Talents
Thomas Bolyn Smothers III was born on February 2, 1937. His birthplace was the Fort Jay army hospital in New York City. His father was an army officer who died during World War II.
After his family moved to California, Tom went to Redondo Union High School. He was very good at sports. He was a competitive unicyclist and a state champion in gymnastics on the parallel bars. Later, he went to San José State University. There, he continued with gymnastics and also did pole vault for the track team.
Starting a Comedy Career
The Smothers Brothers first wanted to be folk musicians. But Tom felt he wasn't good enough as a musician. He realized he was funny, so they started adding comedy to their music act.
Tom once said that their comedy began when he started making up funny introductions for their songs. His brother Dick would joke that Tom was "wrong" or "stupid." This playful arguing became a big part of their act.
Tom first appeared on TV in 1961 on The Steve Allen Show. He also had a small role in an episode of Burke's Law.
From 1965 to 1966, the Smothers Brothers had their own show called The Smothers Brothers Show on CBS. Tom felt this show didn't use their strengths well. He wanted more control over their next TV project.
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Tom Smothers got creative control for their next CBS show. It was a variety show called The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which started in 1967. During this time, Tom also wrote and recorded popular songs.
He later said that when their show began, they didn't plan to be political. But as the show went on, they started talking about important social issues.
Music and Peace Messages
In 1967, Tom Smothers introduced some bands at the Monterey Pop Festival. As he became more interested in politics, he became friends with other famous people who felt the same, like John Lennon.
In 1969, Tom Smothers played acoustic guitar on John Lennon's song "Give Peace a Chance". Tom's name is even mentioned in the song! This song was recorded during Lennon and Yoko Ono's 'Bed-In'. This was a peaceful protest where they stayed in bed in a hotel room in Montreal, Canada. You can see Tom in the hotel room in the 1988 movie Imagine: John Lennon.
Speaking Out for Change
After The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was canceled, Tom Smothers became even more active in politics.
He once shared that he became "deadly serious" about everything for a few years. He felt he became a symbol for First Amendment rights, which protect freedom of speech. He said he is still politically active but has a better balance now.
In the 1970s, Tom Smothers encouraged other comedians, like Bill Cosby, to speak up about important issues like civil rights.
Tom's political views were different from his brother Dick's. Tom described Dick as "more conservative." Tom openly protested against President Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vietnam War. Tom believed that their different views helped them keep their comedy act going for many years.
Acting in Movies and Cartoons
Tom Smothers also acted in several movies. In 1972, he played Donald Beeman in Get to Know Your Rabbit. He was a banker in Silver Bears and Spike in Serial (1980).
He also lent his voice to cartoon characters. In 1973, he voiced Ted E. Bear in The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas. Ten years later, he voiced Ted E. Bear again in The Great Bear Scare.
In 1980, Tom Smothers starred in There Goes the Bride. In 1982, he played a brave Canadian Mountie in Pandemonium. He also appeared in an episode of the UK TV series Tales Of The Unexpected in 1983. In 1993, he voiced a character in the Christmas cartoon movie Precious Moments: Timmy's Special Delivery.
Later Career Highlights
In 2007, Tom and Dick Smothers filmed commercials for the River Rock Casino.
A funny character called "Yo-Yo Man" became a part of their shows. Tom Smothers created this character in the late 1960s. The Yo-Yo Man performs tricks with a yo-yo and doesn't speak much. Tom even registered the name "Yo-Yo Man." In their 2008 tour, the Yo-Yo Man was the opening act.
In 2008, Tom Smothers received a special Emmy Award. Back in 1969, the writers of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour won an Emmy. Tom was the head writer but didn't let his name be on the list because he felt it was too controversial. Steve Martin, who was one of the original writers, presented the award to Tom in 2008.
In December 2009, Tom and Dick guest-starred in an episode of The Simpsons.
On May 6, 2011, the American Civil Liberties Union honored Tom Smothers. He received an award for fighting against TV censorship and for speaking up for peace and civil liberties.
Tom and Dick Smothers reunited in 2019 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their comedy show's cancellation. In December 2022, they announced they would go on tour in 2023.
Personal Life and Legacy
Tom Smothers owned Remick Ridge Vineyards in Sonoma County, California. He started it in 1977 and sold it in 2023. He and his wife, Marcy Carriker, had two children: Bo (born 1991) and Riley Rose (born 1996). Tom also had a son, Thomas Bolyn Smothers IV, from his first marriage, and one grandson. Tom and Dick had a sister named Sherry, who passed away in April 2023.
In 2023, Tom Smothers shared that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He passed away from the disease at his home in Santa Rosa, California, on December 26, 2023, at the age of 86.
