Dick Smothers

Dick Smothers

Tom (left) and Dick (right), 1965
Born Richard Remick Smothers
(1939-11-20) November 20, 1939
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor, comedian, musician
Years active 1961–present
Spouse(s) Denby Franklin (1997–2006)
Lorraine Martin (m. 1986)
Linda Miller (1959–1969)
Website smothersbrothers.com

Richard Remick "Dick" Smothers (born November 20, 1939) is an American actor, comedian, composer and musician. He is best known for being half of the musical comedy team the Smothers Brothers, with his older brother Tom.

Life and career

Smothers was born in New York City in 1939,[1] the son of Ruth (née Remick), a homemaker; and Thomas B. Smothers, an Army officer[2] who died as a prisoner of war (P.O.W.) in April 1945. After moving to Southern California, Dick attended Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga, California, and graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California, and later attended San José State University then called San José State College. At SJSC, Smothers participated as a distance runner for the track team (coached by Lloyd (Bud) Winter).[3]

The Smothers Brothers have appeared on numerous television shows over the past three decades, including two shows of their own: The Smothers Brothers Show, a sit-com from 1965 to 1966; and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a variety show in 1967. In 1993, he played one of the characters on cartoon Christmas movie Precious Moments: Timmy's Special Delivery. Without Tom, he also appeared in the 1995 Martin Scorsese-directed film Casino in an uncharacteristically serious role as a dishonest Nevada State Senator. His character and the dialogue in one scene was partly based on the career of former United States Senator Harry Reid, who once chaired the Nevada Gaming Commission.[4]

In February 2010, Dick Smothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.[5] In May, the brothers announced their retirement from touring.[6]

Smothers has also been very active in amateur automobile racing,[7] both road racing[8] and drag racing.[9]

Dick Smothers is the father of six children: Dick Jr., Andrew, Steven, Sarah, Susan, and Remick.[10] He currently resides in Sarasota, Florida.

References

  1. ↑ (0:42) on YouTube
  2. ↑ "Dick Smothers Biography (1939–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  3. ↑ Speed City era Archived March 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Chris Suellentrop, Slate magazine, Harry Reid Is Not Boring, December 22, 2004
  5. ↑ Axelrod, Laura (February 25, 2010). "Dick Smothers files for bankruptcy, Tom considers quitting The Smothers Brothers". blog.al.com. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  6. ↑ Corbin, April (May 17, 2010). "End of an era: Smothers Brothers announce retirement". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Dick Smothers Racing Bio", Echlin Manufacturing Company
  8. ↑ "Reflections on Sebring: Dick Smothers", Richard Sloop/Carol Lynn Fogle, Motorports.com, 2002-03-07
  9. ↑ "Smothers Brothers Racing Photos"
  10. ↑ "The smothers brothers biography".
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