Richard Remick "Dick" Smothers (born November 20, 1939) is an American comedian, musician, actor and songwriter best known as one half of the Smothers Brothers, a musical-comedy duo he formed with his elder brother. Their blend of folk music, close two-part harmony, and deadpan comic banter made them a popular act on stage, records and television beginning in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s.

Early life and education

Smothers was born in New York City and raised in a family that encouraged music and performance. He attended local high schools, including Verdugo Hills High School and Redondo Union High, before studying at San José State University, where he spent time honing his musical skills and performing in campus shows. The New York and California settings of his youth shaped the duo's blend of urban wit and West Coast folk sensibility. New York City and New York are often cited in biographical summaries, and his collegiate training is noted in many profiles (see educational background).

Career and onstage persona

Performing with his older brother Tom, Dick developed a stage persona that often played the straight, exasperated counterpart to Tom's more mischievous character. Musically, Dick typically supplied the lower harmony and played the double bass while contributing arrangements and occasional compositions. The pair toured nightclubs, colleges and concert halls and recorded a number of albums that combined folk standards, original songs and comic skits. Over time they became known both as entertainers and as commentators on social issues through irony and satire. For a general overview of his work in film and television, see a profile that lists his acting credits and appearances as an actor.

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and controversy

The duo reached a wider national audience with their CBS television program, which mixed musical performances, sketch comedy and topical satire. The show became notable for its willingness to address political and social issues of the late 1960s; its satirical edge produced frequent clashes with network censors. Conflict over content and bookings eventually led to the program's cancellation in 1969, an episode that is frequently discussed in histories of broadcast television censorship and political comedy. The dispute also underscored the brothers' status as unpredictable voices in popular culture and remains a defining chapter of their careers and their public image — particularly in relation to Tom Smothers' role as the more outspoken brother (Tom Smothers).

Later work and legacy

After the cancellation the Smothers Brothers continued to perform onstage and reunited for tours, television specials and recordings in subsequent decades. Dick Smothers also pursued occasional acting and guest appearances, maintaining a presence in entertainment beyond the duo. Critics and historians often credit the Smothers Brothers with helping to expand the boundaries of mainstream television satire by introducing more overt political commentary into a network variety format. Their influence can be seen in later variety and talk-show performers who blend music with pointed comedic criticism. For contemporary references to the brothers' later residences and activities, biographies often point to their time living in Florida and other locations (Sarasota, Florida).

Personal life

Smothers has been married several times and is the father of six children. Public records and biographical sketches note marriages beginning in the 1960s and continuing through the 1990s, with subsequent divorces leaving him largely private about family life. He has divided his time between performing engagements and quieter periods away from the spotlight. For more on his family and personal background, refer to reputable biographical sources that summarize his marriages and children (see educational and location notes such as San José State, New York City and New York).

Characteristics and notable facts

  • Best known as one half of the Smothers Brothers, pairing music with comedy.
  • Performed as the lower-voiced vocalist and bass player, often the straight man to his brother.
  • Part of a landmark television series whose cancellation highlighted tensions between satire and network standards in the 1960s.
  • Continued to perform, record and appear on television through later decades, contributing to the evolution of American musical comedy.

The Smothers Brothers remain a frequently cited example of performers who used popular entertainment to comment on serious social issues. For general background and archival materials, consult reputable entertainment histories and biographies that document the brothers' work and influence.

Actor profile | Tom Smothers | Birthplace | State | Education | Residence