Are the Smothers Brothers Still Alive, What Happened to Smothers Brothers?

Are the Smothers Brothers still alive? Yes, they recently celebrated their 50th anniversary of the unexpected ending of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. If you wonder are the Smothers Brothers still alive, here is the answer to your question. This article answers your question, “Are the Smothers Brothers still alive?” and other interesting facts about personal life and the current status of the Smothers Brothers.

by P Nandhini | Updated Jan 19, 2022

Source: Are the Smothers Brothers Still Alive, What Happened to Smothers Brothers?

Who are the Smothers Brothers?

Smothers Brothers are American musicians, folk singers, and comedians. Thomas/Tom was born February 2, 1937 and Richard/ Dick was born on November 20, 1938. The brothers had a signature double act, where they performed folk tunes. It features Tommy on acoustic guitar and Dick on double bass. It often led to squabbles between them. Tom’s signature line was “Mom always liked you best!” Tommy (the older of the two) was "slow," while Dick (the straight man) was "superior." The brothers performed in a variety of TV shows in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They also launched multiple record albums of their stage appearances.

Smothers Brothers Personal Life

Marcy Carriker Smothers is the wife of Tom Smothers. The couple have two children, Bo and Riley Rose. Tom also has another son named Thomas Bolyn Smothers from his first marriage and a grandson named Phoenix Parrish-Smothers.

Dick Smothers married Linda Miller in 1959 and had three children. After their divorce, he got married to Lorrain in 1986. He had his second divorce and married Denby Franklin in 1997, and now he has six children in total. However, his third marriage ended in 2006.

Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

You all must have at least heard of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour once. It was one of the most popular programmes on American television during the Vietnam War era. Despite the popularity, the Smothers Brothers stayed out of the spotlight for many years after the popular TV show was cancelled in 1969. It has been more than 50 years since the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour came to an end, however the popularity never seemed to diminish.

The executive director of the National Comedy Center, Journey Gunderson, often referred to “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” as an inflection point for comedy.

What kind of guitar did Tommy Smothers play?

Throughout his career, Tom Smothers has only used two guitar brands. It was either a Guild or a Martin. The Guild D-55TV is the guitar he is most often spotted with. This is the top-shelf dreadnaught from Guild.

What happened to the Smother Brothers?

Because of their consistent and hilarious opposition to the Vietnam War, CBS abruptly cancelled "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in April 1969. Following their dismissal, they both filed a violation of agreement case, which CBS ultimately lost and was forced to pay. After the termination, Tom and Dick Smothers consistently performed up to 200 club and concert events per year. They moved their comedy programme from CBS to ABC in 1970, NBC in 1975, and then back to CBS in 1988-89.

The brothers were forbidden from using the term "sex education" or making jokes about someone being "a known heterosexual."

Dick Smothers said: “Don’t tell a comedian not to say a certain word. For sure they’ll do it,” “The funny thing is, I look back at those things. They’re so benign, but at the time they were volatile.”

The Smothers Brothers are Still Alive?

The Smothers Brothers officially retired in 2010. The Smothers Brothers have been occasionally appearing in headlines for the past years. In 2019, the brothers have made an appearance together in 2019 in order to mark the 50th anniversary of the TV show Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. After their retirement, it is their most recent appearance together. Tom recently joked at their 50th anniversary of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour: "At least we're both alive and not having someone speak for us. We can mumble our own way through."

The Smothers Brothers Today

The Smothers Brothers appeared only in documentaries to speak about comedy and music history. The Simpsons in 2009 is their first joint appearance that holds the brothers’ last acting credits.

You might have found them in the news in the past years for listing big-money properties on the market. In 2019, Tom went selling his ranch with a wine-making vineyard worth $13 million in Sonoma County, California. It is the home that Dick mentioned in the million-dollar home in Florida list, the year earlier.

In 2019, Tom and Dick Smothers rejoined to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the unexpected ending of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. It happened at the Chautauqua Institution and the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.

“It’s really an honor to be honored in this way,” “People come up to us and say, ‘We love you guys. I wish you were on television now,’” Tom Smothers recalled. “It’s a different world today.”

Though they are still not in the limelight, the brothers will still be viewed as influential comedy icons forever!

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Are the Smothers Brothers Still Alive- FAQs

1. Are the Smothers Brothers Still Alive?

Yes, they recently celebrated their 50th anniversary of the unexpected ending of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

2. When was Dick Smothers Born?

Richard Remick Smothers was born on November 20, 1938.

3. When was Tom Smothers Born?

Thomas Bolyn Smothers III was born on February 2, 1937

4. When did The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour start?

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour aired in 1967 on CBS.

5. When did The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour end?

The show came to an end in 1969.

6. Why was The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour cancelled?

Because of their consistent and hilarious opposition to the Vietnam War, CBS abruptly cancelled "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in April 1969.

7. Which Guitar did Tom Smothers use?

Throughout his career, Tom Smothers has only used two guitar brands. It was either a Guild or a Martin.