LOS ANGELES – Tom Dreesen, a legendary comedian known for breaking racial barriers in comedy, passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. The news was confirmed by his publicist, Lori De Waal, although the cause of death has not been disclosed.
In 1969, Dreesen teamed up with Tim Reid, who is African American, to form one of America’s first interracial stand-up comedy duos called “Tim and Tom.” This partnership occurred during a time when racial tensions were high, and they used humor to address important social issues, fostering understanding between diverse audiences. Their act lasted until the mid-1970s, after which Reid found solo success on the sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” while Dreesen continued to build his career.
Dreesen’s influence on comedy was profound. Comedian Mike Binder shared on X, “When I was a kid I found an album he and his comedy partner did called Tim and Tom and took it home and played it. It was one of the albums that changed the course of my life. So great.” After parting ways with Reid, Dreesen performed in over 500 national television appearances, including a remarkable 60 times on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He also frequently appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” where he built a strong friendship with Letterman.
His last television appearance occurred just last week on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.” Dreesen was notably recognized for being Frank Sinatra’s opening act for 14 years, forming a close bond with the legendary singer. Dreesen once described Sinatra as a father figure, saying, “If he loved you, he worshipped the ground you walked on.” He also toured with other iconic figures like Sammy Davis Jr., Liza Minnelli, and Smokey Robinson.
Dreesen’s contributions to comedy extended beyond performance. In 2008, he co-authored “Tim and Tom: An American Comedy Act in Black and White” and released a memoir in 2020. His acting credits included appearances on popular TV shows such as “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Touched by an Angel,” along with roles in films like “Spaceballs” and “Man on the Moon.”
Beyond entertainment, Dreesen was an advocate for various charitable causes and was particularly involved in veterans’ initiatives, serving as an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Sinise expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “America lost one of our great comedians and patriots, and I lost a dear friend.”
Born on September 11, 1939, in Chicago, Dreesen grew up in a large family as one of eight children. After serving in the U.S. Navy at age 17, he returned to Chicago, where he took on various jobs before fully committing to a career in comedy.
He is survived by his daughters, Amy and Jennifer, and seven grandchildren. He was previously married to Maryellen Subock, with whom he had his children, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1984. Tragically, he was preceded in death by his son, Tommy.
