Tom Smothers, the beloved comedian and actor, passed away at the age of 86. His death marks the end of an era in comedy, as he was one half of the iconic comedy duo, The Smothers Brothers. With his brother Dick by his side, Tom entertained audiences for decades with their unique blend of music and humor.
Born in New York City in 1937, Tom Smothers began his career as a folk singer before transitioning into comedy. Alongside his brother Dick, they rose to fame with their television show "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in the late 1960s. The show was known for its satirical take on politics and social issues, pushing boundaries and challenging censorship norms.
Tom and Dick Smothers were never shy about using their platform to needle authority, in any way possible in staid, confrontation-averse 1960s media.
After it debuted in the fall of 1967, CBS famously pulled the plug on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in April 1969 because of their content consistently poking fun of the powerful and boosting Vietnam War critics and civil rights proponents.
Dick Smothers said his brother died peacefully on Tuesday at home with his family, according to the National Comedy Center statement. His death followed a recent battle with lung cancer, which was diagnosed at stage II. 
Tom and Dick Smothers broke new ground with their hit show, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," which aired on CBS and won an Emmy in 1969. 
As folk singers and comics, the brothers conjured laughs and stirred controversy. Tom Smothers played guitar and Dick Smothers played bass as both delivered zingers on a range of topics. They were known for a trademark sibling rivalry bit and the accompanying one-liner, "Mom liked you best!" 
David Bianculli, author of the book “Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,’” said that looking back the series was relatively mild by modern standards, but considered controversial given the family friendly landscape of the era.
“There was nothing that was serious on TV in prime time,” Bianculli said.
Bianculli said Tom Smothers “was the one who fought most of the battles,” something he confirmed in “The Sixties.”
“They said that the social subjects we touched on were not appropriate for the 9 o’clock family viewing hour,” Dick Smothers recalled. “They came up with any excuse to make it difficult.”
Smothers’ survivors include Marcy Carriker Smothers, his children Bo and Riley Rose Smothers, grandson Phoenix, sister-in-law Marie Smothers, and several nephews and a niece.
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