Which Brother is Still Alive From ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour?’
In the late 1960s, television was dominated by family-friendly entertainment, but The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour broke that mold. Premiering on Feb. 5, 1967, on CBS, the comedy-variety show quickly evolved from a lighthearted take on traditional variety programs to a sharp-edged satire that pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable on television. Amid a backdrop of rising political tension and cultural upheaval, the Smothers Brothers, Tom and Dick, became unlikely heroes of a generation, using humor to challenge authority and tackle controversial issues.
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour also gave voice to a new wave of musicians, offering a platform to acts like Buffalo Springfield, Pete Seeger and the Beatles, who were often shunned by more conservative networks. Despite its immense popularity, the show’s refusal to bow to network censorship led to its untimely cancellation in 1969, leaving behind a legacy that would influence comedy and television for decades to come. Sadly, only one of the brothers is still alive today. Let’s find out who it is and which other stars from the show are around.
Dick Smothers (86)
Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for 2015 Sarasota Film Festival; Everett Collection
Dick Smothers, the younger of the iconic Smothers Brothers duo, has continued to carve out a rich career in entertainment. He acted in several films, including a dramatic role as a Nevada state senator in Martin Scorsese‘s Casino and 2009’s The Informant!
Dick also made appearances on TV shows like Benson and The Simpsons. The Smothers Brothers continued to tour well into the 21st century, performing for over 50 years, before they officially retired from touring in 2010. Recently, Dick participated in a few charity events and announced plans for a 2023 tour, though it was canceled after Tom’s illness. Outside of his public career, Dick lives a quieter life. He married Marie Navaroli Kropp in 2022 and has six children from previous marriages.
Pasha Rafat/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection
Tom Smothers (d. 2023)
Sadly, Tom is the one who has passed away. Better known as Tommy and one of the most socially conscious talents in Hollywood at the time, he died on Dec. 26, 2023, at the age of 86, following a battle with stage 2 lung cancer. He was married three times and had three children.
Fun Fact: The duo also operated their own winery: Remick Ridge Vineyards in Sonoma, CA.
Peter Cullen (83)
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Peter Cullen is a talented voice actor who began his career as an announcer on The Smother Brothers Comedy Hour. He went on to appear in The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and has been the voice of hundreds of characters over the years. His voice is most recognizable as Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise and the Michael Bay film series. He also provided voices for Disney, including characters Eeyore and Monterey Jack. Most recently, he voiced Optimus Prime on The Masked Singer.
Leigh French (79)
Jerry Fitzgerald/TV Guide/Everett Collection
After appearing as a regular on the show, most notably as a hippie character named Goldie O’Keefe (she was also credited as a writer), she continued working in Hollywood but opted for more voice roles and behind-the-scenes crew work. She has seemingly retired, as she hasn’t had any work credits in over a decade.
Virginia Ann Lee (78)
Everett Collection
Lee was best known as a dancer on The Smother Brothers Comedy Hour. After the show ended, she went on to appear in popular shows such as Marcus Welby, M.D. and M*A*S*H. Not much is known about her career or her whereabouts in recent years. Her sister was child star Cherylene Lee and she is mom to magician Jason Latimer.
Who was your favorite character on the show?
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Classic Comedy Duos
March 2021
Chuckle at television & films funniest comic duos.
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