Tom Dreesen, a legendary stand-up comedian who made appearances connected galore late-night shows and opened for iconic musicians, has died astatine the property of 86, People reports.
The quality was shared by Dreesen’s household successful a connection to the outlet.
“For much than 5 decades, Tom Dreesen brought laughter, heart, and humanity to audiences crossed America. A arrogant autochthonal of Harvey, Illinois, Tom built a singular vocation done perseverance, talent,” they wrote.
“Beyond the stage, Tom was a devoted father, brother, grandfather, friend, mentor, storyteller, and motivator,” the connection added. “He gave generously of his time, supported countless charitable causes, and inspired others done his motivational speaking, his writing, and his idiosyncratic example.”
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After serving successful the U.S. Navy, Dreesen went to enactment arsenic an security salesman, wherever helium met Tim Reid, and they formed a drama team. From there, his vocation took off, with Dreesen making implicit 500 appearances connected nationalist television, including appearances connected The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, portion besides filling successful arsenic a impermanent big connected The Late Show. Dreesen besides served arsenic the opening enactment for celebrated musicians connected tour, including Smokey Robinson, Tony Orlando, Gladys Knight, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr.
As for his vocation connected television, helium appeared successful shows including Murder, She Wrote, Columbo, Touched by an Angel, arsenic good arsenic having a relation successful Mel Brooks’ 1987 movie Spaceballs.
“Tom Dreesen’s bequest volition unrecorded connected done the laughter helium created, the barriers helium helped break, the entertainers helium inspired, and the countless lives helium touched,” the connection concluded, with the household asking for privateness astatine this clip and thanking fans for their “heartfelt condolences.”
Actor Gary Sinise shared a heartfelt tribute to the histrion pursuing the news.
“This greeting America mislaid 1 of our large comedians and patriots, and I mislaid a beloved friend,” Sinise wrote connected X, adding that Dreesen was “hilarious, ever could marque america laugh, and specified a bully friend.
“I volition miss him terribly. What a large agelong vocation helium had successful amusement business,” helium concluded. “Thank you, Tom. God Bless you my friend. Rest successful Peace brother.”
English (US)·