Beloved Comedian Tom Dreesen, 86, Passes Away
WHO:
ABC News - Dreesen was born on Sept. 11, 1939, in Chicago and raised as one of eight children in suburban Harvey.
ABC News - Dreesen is survived by daughters Amy and Jennifer from his marriage to Maryellen Subock, which ended in divorce in 1984, as well as seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Tommy.
ABC News - Tom Dreesen was known as half of one of America's first interracial comedy duos with Tim Reid.
ABC News - Dreesen's publicist was Lori De Waal.
Variety - Tom Dreesen, a stand-up comedian known for touring with Frank Sinatra.
Deadline - Tom Dreesen, a comedian and comic actor favored by Johnny Carson and Frank Sinatra.
WHAT:
Deadline - Dreesen toured with Sinatra for 13 years, not 14 as previously stated.
ABC News - Dreesen's final TV appearance was on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” which aired just last week.
The Hollywood Reporter - Dreesen's death was announced by a spokesperson for his family, and a cause of death was not provided.
The Hollywood Reporter - Dreesen opened for Sinatra in Atlantic City, which marked the beginning of a 14-year partnership, performing in 45 to 50 cities a year.
Deadline - Dreesen's death was announced by a spokesperson for his family, and a cause of death was not stated.
ABC News - Dreesen's final TV appearance occurred last week on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” which replaced Stephen Colbert's canceled CBS late-night show.
Deadline - Dreesen opened for Sinatra for 14 years, performing in 45 to 50 cities a year.
The Hollywood Reporter - Dreesen led a charge in 1979 that resulted in The Comedy Store starting to pay performers, which influenced clubs across the country to follow suit.
The Hollywood Reporter - Dreesen organized a strike at The Comedy Store in 1979, which lasted six weeks and included notable comedians like Letterman, Garry Shandling, and Jay Leno.
ABC News - Dreesen acted in TV shows such as “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote," and “Touched by an Angel.” His film roles included “Spaceballs,” “Man on the Moon,” and “Trouble With the Curve,” as well as the HBO movies “The Rat Pack” and “Lansky.”
ABC News - In 2008, Dreesen co-wrote the book “Tim and Tom: An American Comedy Act in Black and White” and in 2020 authored his memoir.
ABC News - Dreesen died at his home in Los Angeles.
ABC News - Dreesen and Reid formed the comedy duo “Tim and Tom” in 1969.
Variety - Tom Dreesen died at the age of 86.
Deadline - Dreesen's death was announced by a spokesperson for his family. A cause of death was not stated.
Variety - Dreesen's family shared the news of his death on his official Facebook page, stating, "He wanted you all to know how much joy you brought..."
WHEN:
Variety - Dreesen died on a Wednesday.
Deadline - Dreesen was 86 years old at the time of his death.
WHY:
Variety - The article does not specify a cause for Dreesen's death.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Dreesen's activism led to a significant change in how comedians were compensated in clubs, starting with The Comedy Store, where he organized a strike in 1979 that lasted six weeks.
The Hollywood Reporter - Dreesen's activism in comedy led to a significant change in how comedians were compensated in clubs, starting with The Comedy Store.
ABC News - Dreesen was active in charitable work, motivational speaking, and veterans’ causes, including serving as ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.
ABC News - Dreesen's final TV appearance was on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” which replaced Stephen Colbert's canceled CBS late-night show.
ABC News - Dreesen was active in charitable work, motivational speaking, and veterans’ causes, serving as ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Variety - The news of Dreesen's death was shared via his official Facebook page.
(UPDATED June 18, 2026 19:45 UTC)
Comedian Tom Dreesen, who famously toured with Frank Sinatra for 13 years, has passed away, with the news announced by a family spokesperson. His final television appearance was on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” which aired just last week. As of now, a cause of death has not been provided.
--
(UPDATED June 18, 2026 10:21 UTC)
Comedian Tom Dreesen, known for his long partnership with Frank Sinatra, has passed away, with his family announcing the news but not revealing a cause of death. Dreesen's final television appearance was just last week on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” a show that took over for the canceled CBS late-night program hosted by Stephen Colbert. In addition to his comedy career, Dreesen was an activist who played a pivotal role in changing how comedians were compensated in clubs, famously organizing a six-week strike at The Comedy Store in 1979.
--
(UPDATED June 18, 2026 06:37 UTC)
Tom Dreesen, who opened for Frank Sinatra for 14 years and performed in 45 to 50 cities annually, was a pivotal figure in the comedy scene. In 1979, he organized a six-week strike at The Comedy Store that included prominent comedians like David Letterman, Garry Shandling, and Jay Leno, which ultimately led to the club beginning to pay performers and inspired similar changes across the country. Dreesen's activism significantly transformed how comedians were compensated in clubs, marking a turning point in the industry.
--
(UPDATED June 18, 2026 04:20 UTC)
Comedian and actor Tom Dreesen has passed away, leaving behind his daughters Amy and Jennifer, along with seven grandchildren, and was preceded in death by his son Tommy. Known for his appearances in beloved TV shows like "Columbo" and "Murder, She Wrote," Dreesen also starred in films such as "Spaceballs" and "Man on the Moon," and authored his memoir in 2020. Beyond his entertainment career, he was dedicated to charitable work, motivational speaking, and veterans' causes, notably serving as an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.
--
(UPDATED June 18, 2026 01:48 UTC)
Tom Dreesen, known for being half of one of America's first interracial comedy duos with Tim Reid, has passed away at his home in Los Angeles. The duo, called “Tim and Tom,” was formed in 1969, and Dreesen's final television appearance was on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.” In addition to his comedy career, Dreesen was dedicated to charitable work, motivational speaking, and veterans’ causes, serving as an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.
--
(UPDATED June 17, 2026 21:41 UTC)
Tom Dreesen, a beloved stand-up comedian known for his work with Frank Sinatra and favored by Johnny Carson, has passed away at the age of 86. His family announced the news on his official Facebook page, sharing a heartfelt message that he wanted everyone to know how much joy they brought into his life. While a cause of death was not provided, the announcement confirmed that he died on a Wednesday.