Tom Smothers Cause of Death and Obituary, Who was Tom Smothers? What Happened to Tom Smothers? How Did Tom Smothers Die?
by Ruksana
Updated Dec 28, 2023
Tom Smothers Cause of Death and Obituary
Tom Smothers passed away on December 26, 2023, at the age of 86, at his home in Santa Rosa, California. The cause of death was attributed to a battle with stage two lung cancer. His family, represented by The National Comedy Center, confirmed his demise in a statement on December 27, 2023.
Tom Smothers, half of the iconic comedy duo, the Smothers Brothers, left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, especially through their groundbreaking television show, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour."
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Who was Tom Smothers?
Tom Smothers, born on February 2, 1937, in New York City, was an American comedian, actor, composer, and musician, best known as one half of the musical comedy duo, the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick.
Tom's career spanned from 1959 to 2010, with a brief return in 2019. His comedic talents, alongside his brother, brought them fame through television, particularly with "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," a socially conscious and groundbreaking show that faced battles with censors due to its daring sketches and commentary on political and social issues.
Full Name
Thomas Bolyn Smothers III
Birth Date
February 2, 1937
Birthplace
New York City, New York, U.S.
Death Date
December 26, 2023
Death Place
Santa Rosa, California, U.S.
Age at Death
86
Occupation
Comedian, Musician, Composer, Actor
Instruments
Guitar, Vocals
Years Active
1959–2010, 2019
Notable Works
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Cause of Death
Stage two lung cancer
Tom Smothers Early Life
Tom Smothers was born on February 2, 1937, at the Fort Jay Army Post Hospital on Governors Island in New York City. His parents were Ruth Smothers, a homemaker, and Major Thomas B. Smothers, a U.S. army officer who died as a POW during World War II. After moving to California, Tom attended Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach.
He excelled in unicycling, gymnastics (state champion in parallel bars), and later attended San José State University. The Smothers Brothers initially aimed to become folk musicians but transitioned into comedy during their early performances.
Tom Smothers Career
Tom Smothers began his foray into television with "The Steve Allen Show" in 1961 and later appeared in the CBS sitcom "The Smothers Brothers Show" from 1965 to 1966. However, their groundbreaking success came with "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in 1967, which addressed pop culture, politics, and featured young rock stars.
The show was canceled in 1970 due to battles with censors. Despite this setback, the brothers continued to make a mark in the entertainment industry through their comedy albums, live performances, and Tom's ventures into acting in films.
What Happened to Tom Smothers?
After the cancellation of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," the brothers sued CBS for $31 million and were awarded $775,000. Tom Smothers remained politically active and received an honorary Emmy in 2008 for his work on the show.
In his later years, Tom and Dick Smothers reunited for special appearances, including a 2019 event marking the 50th anniversary of their show's cancellation. Tom Smothers owned Remick Ridge Vineyards, which he established in 1977 and sold in 2023. Sadly, Tom Smothers battled stage two lung cancer and passed away on December 26, 2023.
How Did Tom Smothers Die?
Tom Smothers battled stage two lung cancer in 2023, a diagnosis he publicly announced. Despite his fight against the disease, he passed away at the age of 86 on December 26, 2023, at his home in Santa Rosa, California.
Tom Smothers Cause of Death and Obituary - FAQs
Tom Smothers passed away on December 26, 2023.
Tom Smothers died at his home in Santa Rosa, California.
Tom Smothers battled stage two lung cancer.
The National Comedy Center confirmed Tom Smothers' demise on December 27, 2023.
Tom Smothers was 86 years old when he passed away.