Although best known as his on-stage persona of “Tommy,” the gentle but easily irked half of the folk singing duo The Smothers Brothers, actor, writer and musician Tom Smothers was also one of the most socially conscious talents in Hollywood during the 1960s. With younger brother Dick, he formed a musical act that combined easy-going humor with traditional folk songs; their popularity on the nightclub circuit led to their own series, “The Smothers Brothers Show” (CBS, 1965-66). Smothers hit his true stride as an entertainer and social commentator with “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” (CBS,
Made their debut as a duo of folk singers, with Tom on acoustic guitar and Dick on stand-up bass
1961
Released their successful debut album, Live at the Purple Onion
1961
Appeared regularly on "The New Steve Allen Show" (ABC)
1965
Co-starred with brother, Dick, in the CBS comedy “The Smothers Brothers Show”
1967
Again collaborated with his brother for the controversial CBS variety show “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour”; when the show was abruptly canceled due to issues of censorship, the Brothers filed a successful breach of contract suit against the network
