Comedian Tom Smothers Dead at 86

Tom Smothers, one half of the famed comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, has died. He was 86.

On Wednesday, Dick Smothers, Tom's brother and comedy partner, announced in a statement via the National Comedy Center that his brother died in his Sonoma County, Calif., home from symptoms related to cancer.

"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," Dick said in the statement. "I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed."

One half of the pair's beloved Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Tom often played the role of the comedic goofball, ending his bits with lines like "Mom always liked you best" directed to his brother when he wouldn't get his way. The series, helmed by Tom as well as writers including Steve Martin, also delved into political topics during its three-season run from 1967 to 1969, including the Vietnam War, religion and drug use.

"Tom Smothers was not only an extraordinary comedic talent, who, together with his brother Dick, became the most enduring comedy duo in history, entertaining the world for over six decades – but was a true champion for freedom of speech, harnessing the power of comedy to push boundaries and our political consciousness," National Comedy Center executive director Journey Gunderson wrote in a statement. "We were proud to bring Tom and Dick out of retirement and reunite them on stage in 2019 to celebrate their legendary careers, and we are honored to preserve Tom's remarkable work and legacy here at the National Comedy Center for generations to come."

The comedian is survived by his children Bo and Riley Rose Smothers, his grandson Phoenix, his brother Dick, his sister-in-law Marie Smothers and several nephews and a niece.

A private funeral is set to be held in 2024.