Tommy Smothers Passes

FILE – Tom Smothers does yo-yo tricks during arrivals at CBS’s 75th anniversary celebration Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in New York. Tom Smothers, half of the Smother Brothers and the co-host of one of the most socially conscious and groundbreaking television shows in the history of the medium, has died, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 at 86. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano, File) used locally Dec 27th 2023 @ap.images

Tommy Smothers of the legendary Smothers Brothers comedy and music duo has passed away.

His family and the National Comedy Center say Tommy Smothers died Tuesday December 26th 2023 at the age of 86 following a battle with cancer.

Tommy’s brother Dick Smothers said he is forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him.

“The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” was famously canceled by CBS in 1969 over the duo’s tendency to make fun of those in power.

The Executive Director of the National Comedy Center described Tommy as a pioneer who helped pave the way for Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show and today’s late night shows.

Tommy also played guitar on the live recording of John Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance” during Lennon and Yoko Ono’s famous 1969 “bed-in for peace” in Montreal.

FILE – Tom Smothers does yo-yo tricks during arrivals at CBS’s 75th anniversary celebration Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in New York. Tom Smothers, half of the Smother Brothers and the co-host of one of the most socially conscious and groundbreaking television shows in the history of the medium, has died, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 at 86.
(AP Photo/Louis Lanzano, File) used locally Dec 27th 2023

@ap.images