Dick Smothers
Encyclopedia
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
.
in Tujunga, California, and graduated from Redondo Union High School
in Redondo Beach
, California, and later attended San José State University
then called San Jose State College. At SJSC, Smothers participated as a distance runner for the track team (coached by Lloyd (Bud) Winter
).
The Smothers Brothers 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. Without Tom, he also appeared in the 1995 Martin Scorsese
-directed film Casino in an uncharacteristically serious role as a dishonest Nevada
State Senator.
In 2006, Dick and Denby Smothers announced they are divorcing after nine years of marriage.
In February 2010, Dick Smothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
In May 2010, Tom and Dick Smothers announced their retirement.
Smothers has also been very active in amateur automobile racing, both road racing
and drag racing
.
Dick Smothers is the father of six children: Dick Jr.
, Andrew, Steven, Sarah, Susan, and Remick. He currently resides in Sarasota, Florida
.
Linda is the mother of Dick Jr., Susan and Steven. Lorraine is the mother of Sarah and Remick.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He is best known for being half of the musical comedy team, the Smothers Brothers
Smothers Brothers
The Smothers Brothers are Thomas and Richard , American singers, musicians, comedians and folk heroes. The brothers' trademark act was performing folk songs , which usually led to arguments between the siblings...
, with his older brother Tom
Tom Smothers
Tom Smothers is an American comedian, composer and musician, best known as half of the musical comedy team The Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick.-Early life:...
.
Life and career
Smothers was born in New York City, the son of Ruth (née Remick), a homemaker, and Thomas B. Smothers, an army officer who died a POW in April, 1945. After moving to Southern California, Dick attended Verdugo Hills High SchoolVerdugo Hills High School
Verdugo Hills High School is a public school located in the Tujunga community of Los Angeles, California, United States within the Los Angeles Unified School District....
in Tujunga, California, and graduated from Redondo Union High School
Redondo Union High School
Redondo Union High School is a public high school in Redondo Beach, California.Redondo Union High School is a part of the Redondo Beach Unified School District....
in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, California
Redondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 66,748 at the 2010 census, up from 63,261 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the South Bay region of the greater Los Angeles area.Redondo Beach was originally part of...
, California, and later attended San José State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
then called San Jose State College. At SJSC, Smothers participated as a distance runner for the track team (coached by Lloyd (Bud) Winter
Lloyd (Bud) Winter
Lloyd C. Winter, better known as "Bud" was the USATF Hall of Fame Track Coach. He was regarded as one of the greatest sprint coaches in the world. Over a 39-year coaching career at the then San Jose State College, he produced 102 All-Americans, 27 who went on to become Olympians...
).
The Smothers Brothers appeared on numerous television shows over the past three decades, including two shows of their own, The Smothers Brothers Show
The Smothers Brothers Show
The Smothers Brothers Show is an American fantasy sitcom featuring the Smothers Brothers that aired on CBS on Friday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET from September 17, 1965 to September 9, 1966, co-sponsored by Alberto-Culver's VO5 hairdressing products and American Tobacco...
, a sit-com from 1965 to 1966, and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour is an American comedy and variety show hosted by the Smothers Brothers and initially airing on CBS from 1967 to 1969.-History:...
, a variety show in 1967. Without Tom, he also appeared in the 1995 Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
-directed film Casino in an uncharacteristically serious role as a dishonest Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
State Senator.
In 2006, Dick and Denby Smothers announced they are divorcing after nine years of marriage.
In February 2010, Dick Smothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
In May 2010, Tom and Dick Smothers announced their retirement.
Smothers has also been very active in amateur automobile racing, both road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
and drag racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
.
Dick Smothers is the father of six children: Dick Jr.
Dick Smothers, Jr.
Dick Smothers, Jr. is a former American pornographic actor. He the eldest of three children born to comedian Dick Smothers and his first wife, Linda.-Biography:...
, Andrew, Steven, Sarah, Susan, and Remick. He currently resides in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
.
Linda is the mother of Dick Jr., Susan and Steven. Lorraine is the mother of Sarah and Remick.