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Groundbreaking comic Tom Smothers has died aged 86.
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Famed as one-half of the iconic comedic duo The Smothers Brothers, he passed away on Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, Calif., following a recent battle with cancer.
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His brother Dick Smothers revealed his death to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, and said in a tribute: “Tom was not only the loving brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner.
“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.”
Tom was the older half of the satirical duo the Smothers Brothers, and first appeared on national television alongside his sibling in the early 1960s on the NBC late-night show Tonight Starring Jack Paar.
The pair then became regulars on CBS’ The Judy Garland Show and got a primetime Friday night slot on TV with their series in 1967.
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour featured the pair doing folk-songs and their skits were pioneering as they tackled issues including racism, sex, drugs, politics and the Vietnam war.
But their stances sparked clashes with TV bosses and in 1969 CBS axed the duo’s series.
Tom said in 2019 during a chat with All Arts TV about being sacked: “Fifty years later, I look back on us being fired, and I’m still (annoyed.)”
The comic was convinced President Richard Nixon had pressured CBS to axe the show.
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He and his brother have been credited for creating the foundations for shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show.
Along with his brother Dick, Tom is survived by his children, Bo and Riley Rose, grandsons, Phoenix, Marcy Carriker, sister-in-law Marie Smothers and several nieces and nephews.
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