Tom Dreesen, a trailblazing figure in comedy known for creating one of the nation’s pioneering interracial stand-up duos with Tim Reid, and later serving as the opening act for Frank Sinatra, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86.
His publicist, Lori De Waal, confirmed that Dreesen died at his residence in Los Angeles, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Dreesen and Reid crossed paths in Chicago and launched their act “Tim and Tom” in 1969. At a time when racial tensions were palpable, their performances cleverly addressed societal issues, fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse audiences. Their partnership lasted into the mid-1970s. Reid later achieved solo fame as DJ Venus Flytrap on the hit sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” a show where Dreesen also made a guest appearance.
Comedian and filmmaker Mike Binder expressed his admiration on X, recalling how a Tim and Tom album he discovered in his youth profoundly influenced his life, calling it “so great.”
Following his split from Reid, Dreesen developed a successful solo career, making over 500 appearances on national television, including 60 on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He frequently appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” occasionally stepping in as guest host. Their camaraderie dated back to the early 1970s when both were regulars at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California.
Dreesen’s final TV appearance came last week on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” which replaced Stephen Colbert’s canceled CBS late-night show.
Dreesen was Sinatra’s opening act for 14 years and became close with the entertainer.
“If he loved you, he worshipped the ground you walked on,” Dreesen told The Desert Sun newspaper in 2014. ”In a lot of ways, he was like a father to me. I didn’t have a father that really cared that much where I was and what I did. But Frank would give me advice and counsel, and then he was a buddy in a lot of ways. I thought the world of him.”
Dressen also toured with Sinatra’s fellow Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr., as well as Liza Minnelli, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and Tony Orlando.
“He was one of the most brilliant comedians of all time. Tonight, he’ll once again be opening for Dean, Frank and Sammy,” Deana Martin, a daughter of Dean Martin, posted on X.
In 2008, he co-wrote the book “Tim and Tom: An American Comedy Act in Black and White” and in 2020 he authored his memoir.
Dreesen acted in such TV shows 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.”
Dreesen was active in charitable work, motivational speaking and veterans’ causes, including serving as ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.
“America lost one of our great comedians and patriots, and I lost a dear friend,” Sinise posted on X.
He was born on Sept. 11, 1939, in Chicago and raised as one of eight children in suburban Harvey. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and after getting out in 1960 he returned home to work a series of jobs, including selling insurance.
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.