Editing Dick Smothers

{{Short description|American actor, comedian, composer, and musician (born 1938)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{lead too short|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Dick Smothers
| image              = Dick Smothers playing about on tricycles (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Smothers in 1966
| birth_name         = Richard Remick Smothers
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1939|11|20}}
| birth_place        = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|composer|musician}}
| years_active = 1959–2010, 2019
| education          = [[San Jose State University]]
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Linda Miller|1959|1969|reason=divorce}}
* {{marriage||1972|1984|reason=divorce}}
* {{marriage|Lorraine Martin|1986|1997|reason=divorce}}
* {{marriage|Denby Franklin|1997|2006|reason=divorce}}
* {{marriage|Marie Navaroli Kropp|2022}}
}}
| children       = 6
| relatives      = [[Tom Smothers]] (brother)
| module             = {{infobox musical artist
| embed        = yes
| instruments  = Vocals, bass
| background      = solo_singer
| genre           = [[Folk music|Folk]]
| past_member_of  = {{hlist|[[Smothers Brothers]]}}
}}
}}

'''Richard Remick Smothers''' (born November 20, 1939) is an American actor, comedian, composer, and musician. He was half of the musical comedy team the [[Smothers Brothers]], with his older brother [[Tom Smothers|Tom]].

== Early life ==
Smothers was born in New York City in 1939,<ref>{{YouTube|id=SlMSwJ9M5hA#t=42s|title=(0:42)}}</ref> the son of Ruth (''née'' Remick), a homemaker, and Thomas B. Smothers, an [[United States Army|Army]] officer who died as a [[prisoner of war]] of the Japanese in April 1945.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dick Smothers Biography (1939–) |url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/29/Dick-Smothers.html |access-date=2014-07-25 |publisher=Film Reference}}</ref> His middle name, Remick, originates from his mother's [[maiden name]]. 

After moving to Southern California, Dick attended [[Verdugo Hills High School]] in [[Sunland-Tujunga, Los Angeles|Tujunga]], California, and graduated from [[Redondo Union High School]] in [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]], California, and later attended [[San Jose State University]], then called San Jose State College. At SJSC, Smothers participated as a [[distance runner]] for the track team, coached by [[Lloyd (Bud) Winter]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Speed City era |url=http://8floz.net/speedcity/2008/10/the-smothers-brothers/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309055956/http://8floz.net/speedcity/2008/10/the-smothers-brothers/ |archive-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== The Smothers Brothers ===
The Smothers Brothers formed in the late 1950s and appeared on numerous television shows, including two shows of their own: ''[[The Smothers Brothers Show]]'', a sitcom from 1965 to 1966; and ''[[The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour]]'', a variety show in 1967. The show was cancelled by CBS on April 4, 1969. After filing a lawsuit, the Smothers were given $776,300.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TM9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-gEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3176,3754916 |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=news.google.com}}</ref> Though he often aided Tom with various subjects which were deemed controversial, Dick was in reality "more conservative politically" than his older brother was, with Tom stating in 2006, "We still disagree about everything."<ref name=disagreementsbutbondage /> 
[[File:Smothers Brothers (210965404) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Dick (left) and Tom Smothers in August 1988]]

In December 2009, Dick and Tom both guest-starred in [[O Brother, Where Bart Thou?|a 21st-season episode]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' that also featured [[Cooper Manning|Cooper]], [[Peyton Manning|Peyton]], and [[Eli Manning]].<ref name="Walker">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2009/08/add_cooper_to_manning_brothers.html|title=Add Cooper to Manning brothers' voices on 'The Simpsons'|last=Walker|first=Dave|date=August 7, 2009|work=[[The Times-Picayune]]|publisher=NOLA.com|access-date=2009-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019032623/http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2009/08/add_cooper_to_manning_brothers.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Smothers Brothers both announced their retirement from touring in May 2010. On the December 11, 2022, episode of ''[[CBS News Sunday Morning]]'', the brothers announced that they would be going on tour in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cowan |first1=Lee |last2=Morgan |first2=David |date=December 11, 2022 |title=The Smothers Brothers are back, taking their show on the road |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-smothers-brothers-are-back-taking-their-show-on-the-road/ |access-date=December 12, 2022 |website=CBS News}}</ref> However, the tour was cancelled and Tom Smothers announced in July 2023 that he was diagnosed with stage 2 [[lung cancer]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cowan |first1=Lee |last2=Morgan |first2=David |date=July 9, 2023 |title=Catching up with the Smothers Brothers |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/catching-up-with-the-smothers-brothers/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=CBS News}}</ref> He died on December 26, 2023, at the age of 86.<ref>{{cite web |last1=France |first1=Lisa |date=December 27, 2023 |title=Tom Smothers, one half of famed comedy duo, dies at 86 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/27/entertainment/tom-smothers-death/index.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Grimes |first=William |date=December 27, 2023 |title=Tom Smothers, Comic Half of the Smothers Brothers, Dies at 86 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/arts/television/tom-smothers-dead.html |url-access=limited |accessdate=December 27, 2023}}</ref>

=== Other works ===
In 1977, he appeared twice as a panelist on the daytime TV game show ''[[Match Game]]''. In 1993, he played one of the characters on cartoon Christmas movie ''Precious Moments: Timmy's Special Delivery''. Without Tom, he also appeared in the 1995 [[Martin Scorsese]]-directed film ''[[Casino (1995 film)|Casino]]'' in an uncharacteristically serious role as a dishonest [[Nevada Senate|Nevada State Senator]]. His character and the dialogue in one scene were partly based on the career of former [[List of United States senators from Nevada|United States Senator]] [[Harry Reid]], who once chaired the [[Nevada Gaming Commission]].<ref>Chris Suellentrop, Slate magazine, [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/ballot_box/2004/12/harry_reid_is_not_boring.html Harry Reid Is Not Boring], December 22, 2004</ref>

Smothers has been active in amateur [[auto racing]],<ref>{{cite press release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714142548/http://www.myf5000.com/files/dick_bio.pdf|archive-date=July 14, 2011|url=http://www.myf5000.com/files/dick_bio.pdf|title= Dick Smothers Racing Bio|author=Echlin Manufacturing Company}}</ref> both [[road racing]]<ref>"[http://www.motorsport.com/magazine/feature.asp?C=Special&D=2002-03-07 Reflections on Sebring: Dick Smothers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606175330/http://www.motorsport.com/magazine/feature.asp?C=Special&D=2002-03-07|date=June 6, 2011}}", Richard Sloop/Carol Lynn Fogle, Motorsport.com, 2002-03-07</ref> and [[drag racing]].<ref>"[http://www.69olds.com/smothers.html Smothers Brothers Racing Photos]"</ref> He started the Smothers Brothers racing team, which competed in three championship seasons between 1968 and 1971. He specialized in endurance racing and drove cars at the famous Sebring and Le Mans events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smothers Brothers Racing Team • Team History & Info {{!}} Motorsport Database |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/teams/smothers-brothers-racing-team/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Motorsport Database - Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2004, Smothers was taken to  court in a domestic violence incident by his then-wife Denby after she accused him of intentionally pushing her into her car and poked his finger into her chest and allegedly said "You have no rights to our house" and that "Our marriage is over" 
Denby and Dick Smothers filed for divorce in late 2005 and it was finalized in 2006. Their Condo in Bird Key Florida was later foreclosed on and sold for just under $90,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Smothers brother files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2010/02/20/smothers-brother-files-for-bankruptcy/28925150007/ |access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref> 
In a 2006 interview with the Vancouver-based Comedy Couch, Tom Smothers stated that he and his brother actually "disagree about everything" and that while he was "a little bit looser," Dick was "more [[Small-c conservative|conservative politically]] and also is a [[Pragmatism|pragmatist]]. He's very pragmatic and wants everything to line up and put in a box."<ref name=disagreementsbutbondage>[http://comedycouch.com/interviews/tsmothers.htm July 22, 2006 interview with Tommy Smothers]from Vancouver's comedycouch.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225033442/http://www.comedycouch.com/interviews/tsmothers.htm |date=February 25, 2007 }}</ref>

In February 2010, Smothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.<ref>{{cite web |last=Axelrod |first=Laura |date=February 25, 2010 |title=Dick Smothers files for bankruptcy, Tom considers quitting The Smothers Brothers |url=http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2010/02/dick_smothers_files_bankruptcy.html |access-date=June 10, 2014 |website=blog.al.com}}</ref> In May, he and his brother announced their retirement from touring.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corbin |first=April |date=May 17, 2010 |title=End of an era: Smothers Brothers announce retirement |newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly |url=http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2010/may/17/end-era-smothers-brothers-announce-retirement/ |access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> In October 2010, he announced he had been diagnosed with [[Barrett's esophagus]].<ref name="Maher 2010">{{cite web |last=Maher |first=Irene |title=Beating the Burn |website=Tampa Bay Times |date=7 October 2010 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2010/10/07/beating-the-burn/ |access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="FDHS">{{cite web |title=Dick Smothers: Acid Reflux and Barrett's Esophagus |website=Florida Digestive Health Specialists |date=March 11, 2021 |url=https://www.fdhs.com/dick-smothers-acid-reflux-and-barretts-esophagus/ |access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref>

He is the father of six children&nbsp;— Dick Jr., Andrew, Steven, Sarah, Susan, and Remick.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.smothersbrothers.com/smobro_bios/sb_bio_.html  | title = The smothers brothers biography}}</ref> {{As of|2022}} he resides in upstate New York. In September 2022, Smothers married Marie Navarolli Kropp.<ref>{{cite web |last=DeLuca |first=Michele |date=September 10, 2022 |title=Niagara native and Smothers brother to marry |url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/niagara-native-and-smothers-brother-to-marry/article_01f90608-30aa-11ed-92f4-53e35ef35dab.html |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=Niagara Gazette}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1966
|''[[Alice Through the Looking Glass (1966 film)|Alice Through the Looking Glass]]''
|Tweedledee
|
|-
|1989|| ''[[Speed Zone]]'' || Nelson van Sloan ||
|-
|1995|| ''[[Casino (1995 film)|Casino]]'' || Senator Harrison Roberts ||
|-
|1997|| ''[[The Debtors]]'' || ||
|-
|2009|| ''[[The Informant!]]'' || Judge Harold Baker || 
|}

==Racing results==
===24 Hours of Le Mans results===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
|-
! Year
! Team
! Co-Driver(s)
! Car
! Class
! Laps
! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Overall Position}}
! {{Tooltip|Class<br/>Pos.|Class Position}}
|-
! [[1972 24 Hours of Le Mans|1972]]
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Greenwood Corvettes|John Greenwood Racing]]
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[John Greenwood (racing driver)|John Greenwood]]
|align="left"| [[Chevrolet Corvette (C3)|Chevrolet Corvette C3]]
| GTS +5.0
| 53
| DNF
| DNF
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|810686}}
*{{IMDb title|348056|Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour}}
* {{EmmyTVLegends name|dick-smothers|Dick Smothers}}
* {{discogs artist|Dick Smothers}}

{{The Smothers Brothers}}

{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smothers, Dick}}
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American composers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:24 Hours of Le Mans drivers]]
[[Category:Actors from Redondo Beach, California]]
[[Category:American comedy musicians]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male composers]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:Comedians from New York City]]
[[Category:Comedians from California]]
[[Category:Musicians from New York City]]
[[Category:Musicians from Redondo Beach, California]]
[[Category:Racing drivers from New York City]]
[[Category:San Jose State University alumni]]
[[Category:Television personalities from California]]
[[Category:Verdugo Hills High School alumni]]
[[Category:World Sportscar Championship drivers]]