Dick Smothers

Richard Remick Smothers (born November 20, 1938) is an American actor, comedian, composer, and musician. He was half of the musical comedy team the Smothers Brothers, with his older brother Tom.

Dick Smothers
Tom (left) and Dick Smothers (right), 1965
Born
Richard Remick Smothers

(1938-11-20) November 20, 1938
New York, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, musician
Spouses
Linda Miller
​
​
(m. 1959; div. 1969)​
    Linda Miller
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1972; div. 1984)​
      Lorraine Martin
      ​
      ​
      (m. 1986; div. 1997)​
        Denby Franklin
        ​
        ​
        (m. 1997; div. 2006)​
          Marie Navaroli Kropp
          ​
          ​
          (m. 2022)​
          Musical career
          Instrumentsvocals, bass
          Years active1959–2010, 2019

          Life and career

          Smothers was born in New York City in 1938,[1] the son of Ruth (née Remick), a homemaker, and Thomas B. Smothers, an Army officer who died as a prisoner of war, of the Japanese, in April 1945.[2] 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 appeared on numerous television shows, including two shows of their own: The Smothers Brothers Show, a sitcom from 1965 to 1966; and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a variety show in 1967. In 1977, he appeared twice as a panelist on the daytime TV game show Match Game. 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 December 2009, Dick and Tom both guest starred in a 21st-season episode of The Simpsons that also featured Cooper, Peyton and Eli Manning.[5]

          In February 2010, Smothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.[6] In May, he and his brother announced their retirement from touring.[7]

          Smothers has been active in amateur automobile racing,[8] both road racing[9] and drag racing.[10] He is the father of six children: Dick Jr., Andrew, Steven, Sarah, Susan, and Remick.[11] He currently resides in upstate New York. In September 2022, Smothers married Marie Navarroli Kropp.[12]

          On the December 11, 2022, episode of CBS News Sunday Morning, the brothers announced that they would be going on tour in 2023.[13]

          Filmography
          Year Title Role Notes
          1966 Alice Through the Looking Glass Tweedledee
          1989Speed ZoneNelson van Sloan
          1995CasinoSenator Harrison Roberts
          1997The Debtors
          2009The Informant!Judge Harold Baker

          References
          1. (0:42) on YouTube
          2. "Dick Smothers Biography (1939–)". Film Reference. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
          3. "Speed City era". Archived from the original on March 9, 2012.
          4. Chris Suellentrop, Slate magazine, Harry Reid Is Not Boring, December 22, 2004
          5. Walker, Dave (August 7, 2009). "Add Cooper to Manning brothers' voices on 'The Simpsons'". The Times-Picayune. NOLA.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
          6. Axelrod, Laura (February 25, 2010). "Dick Smothers files for bankruptcy, Tom considers quitting The Smothers Brothers". blog.al.com. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
          7. Corbin, April (May 17, 2010). "End of an era: Smothers Brothers announce retirement". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
          8. "Dick Smothers Racing Bio", Echlin Manufacturing Company
          9. "Reflections on Sebring: Dick Smothers Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine", Richard Sloop/Carol Lynn Fogle, Motorports.com, 2002-03-07
          10. "Smothers Brothers Racing Photos"
          11. "The smothers brothers biography".
          12. DeLuca, Michele (January 1, 1970). "Niagara native and Smothers brother to marry". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
          13. Cowan, Lee; Morgan, David (December 11, 2022). "The Smothers Brothers are back, taking their show on the road". CBS News. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
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